The one thing The Anaheim Ducks were able to accomplish last year was letting the NHL world know they weren't ready to rebuild. At the trade deadline interim GM Bob Murray did what most people considered to be playoff suicide and traded away five position players which immediately caused fans to collectively throw in the proverbial towel. Murray had said at the deadline that "something wasn't clicking" with the team, and it was up to him to figure out what it was. Whether you call Murray a smart man, or a gambling man, one still could not predict what would happen next. The Ducks were in 12th place at the deadline, and immediately began a memorable run to clinch the 8th spot(only missing the 7th spot by 1 point) and making history when they eliminated the number one seeded, San Jose Sharks, whom many thought would be cup winners for sure. Even though the Ducks lost to Detroit in the conference Finals, taking the defending champions to a game seven and losing the game with 2 minutes left, many now feel with the moves Anaheim made at the deadline, this team still has one more solid run at the cup. So lets look ahead to this years draft and see what has to be addressed.
Is this the year?
Two years ago the NHL had a commercial campaign where various NHL stars would ask the question, "Is this the year?" That seems to be the question that experts are asking with regards to the Anaheim Ducks and the draft. Only the question being asked is whether or not the Ducks will draft their first Russian player in years. The Ducks last picked a Russian player in 2001 when they picked Stanislov Chistov, so the question bares asking once again...is this the year?
Biggest strengths last year?
The kids were the strongest thing last year. Not only did former top picks themselves, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry shine, but the number two overall pick Bobby Ryan also proved just how comfortable he was playing in the NHL. Add to that the fact that they all are still growing and getting stronger, and these three are sure to terrorize teams with their skills and size for years to come. At one point in the season, experts were comparing this trio to the Broad Street Bully's, which is quite a compliment.
Biggest holes to fill?
One day Scott Niedermayer will retire, thats a fact. The tough part is knowing when. That's why the Ducks need to start looking for the next Scott amongst the draft picks. Now before I start getting mail from people telling me there'll never be another Scott, I hear you. The Ducks need to look for someone that has that "Scott" look and feel, before they lose the real thing. Another thing to consider is that Chris Pronger is in his last year of his contract, and that is more than enough motivation, in my opinion, to get the ball rolling in the direction of some new Defensive blood.
Scoring
The Ducks should do a "missing in action" campaign every season for secondary scoring. It seems to always be the reason why they can not get to the next level. When they won the cup in 2007, it seemed as if everyone was scoring from all angles. That is what the Ducks need more of, and all the time, not just when it's captured in a bottle for one season. Players do exist that are just born to score, thus eliminating the tired excuse of not having the right line mate, or chemistry. For an example of that just take a look at Alexander "The Great" over in Washington. So now that we have some of the trouble spots highlighted, let's look at what the Ducks can expect to see and maybe even pick:
The Russians are coming!
This year the Ducks have the fifteenth pick, and one of the players that has what the Ducks organization likes is Dmrtiy Kulikov (6'0-195lbs) defense man. This D-man has puck skills and ability to be physical that could make him a perfect fit for the Anaheim Ducks, and with time could become a top NHL D-man. The question is, will the Ducks go for it, or stick to the same trend they've had the last few drafts in picking North American players over any one else.
Defense
If Defense is something the Ducks are looking to re-build on, especially with the impending retirement of Scott Niedermayer and the high cost to keep Chris Pronger, Anaheim might set their sights on John Moore out of Chicago. At 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 190lbs, Moore is described as "an absolutely freakish skater who's game is identical to NHL Black hawk Duncan Keith's." Moore has a heavy accurate slap shot he controls nicely, excellent puck skills and is very difficult to knock off the puck.
Scoring
If you look at the Ducks this year and last, the one thing that has been a hindrance, has been lack of secondary scoring. In 2007, when they won the cup, most of the success Anaheim had came from the fact that their first, second, and energy line were providing most of the goals. Since the finals are still within reach of this team, it would be beneficial for Anaheim to look at players that could possibly solve the scoring deficit the Ducks are currently experiencing.
A shot in the scoring arm can be had from Louis Leblanc (center) from the Omaha Lancers. Leblanc is comfortable on both open ice and along the boards, while able to get out of peoples way fast. He likes battling for pucks in front of the net, something the Ducks need more of, and isn't afraid to get dirty while doing so. Scott Glennie is another possibility due to his size as a power forward that would come in handy in creating some offense.
Ryan Ellis is another defense man that should be taken under consideration, although the Ducks seem to be covered for now with the acquisition and hopeful retention of James Wisniewski and Ryan Whitney. Right now though there seems to be more cons than pros with Ellis due to his lack of size. Ellis is proven as an offensive threat from the blue line, increasing the chance that Anaheim might take a look at this scoring machine from the OHL.
Finally Carter Ashton, RW, Lethbridge (WHL); checks in at 6’3 and 200 pounds played a bigger role this season among the top-six forwards, and Ashton has spent all his time playing on special teams and knows it’s really important to be productive there. Ashton would make a good power forward, using his size to produce points.
So who will the Ducks pick?
I can see the Ducks maybe working a deal somehow for secondary scoring and drafting Leblanc. Ultimately, we're not familiar with Bob Murray's style when it comes to drafting players. We do know he's not afraid to pull the trigger and stir things up, as was evident in his trade deadline shocker. So who knows? Maybe the Ducks will make the moves everyone thought they would; or maybe...just maybe, this will be the year the Ducks draft a Russian player.
Is this the year?
Two years ago the NHL had a commercial campaign where various NHL stars would ask the question, "Is this the year?" That seems to be the question that experts are asking with regards to the Anaheim Ducks and the draft. Only the question being asked is whether or not the Ducks will draft their first Russian player in years. The Ducks last picked a Russian player in 2001 when they picked Stanislov Chistov, so the question bares asking once again...is this the year?
Biggest strengths last year?
The kids were the strongest thing last year. Not only did former top picks themselves, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry shine, but the number two overall pick Bobby Ryan also proved just how comfortable he was playing in the NHL. Add to that the fact that they all are still growing and getting stronger, and these three are sure to terrorize teams with their skills and size for years to come. At one point in the season, experts were comparing this trio to the Broad Street Bully's, which is quite a compliment.
Biggest holes to fill?
One day Scott Niedermayer will retire, thats a fact. The tough part is knowing when. That's why the Ducks need to start looking for the next Scott amongst the draft picks. Now before I start getting mail from people telling me there'll never be another Scott, I hear you. The Ducks need to look for someone that has that "Scott" look and feel, before they lose the real thing. Another thing to consider is that Chris Pronger is in his last year of his contract, and that is more than enough motivation, in my opinion, to get the ball rolling in the direction of some new Defensive blood.
Scoring
The Ducks should do a "missing in action" campaign every season for secondary scoring. It seems to always be the reason why they can not get to the next level. When they won the cup in 2007, it seemed as if everyone was scoring from all angles. That is what the Ducks need more of, and all the time, not just when it's captured in a bottle for one season. Players do exist that are just born to score, thus eliminating the tired excuse of not having the right line mate, or chemistry. For an example of that just take a look at Alexander "The Great" over in Washington. So now that we have some of the trouble spots highlighted, let's look at what the Ducks can expect to see and maybe even pick:
The Russians are coming!
This year the Ducks have the fifteenth pick, and one of the players that has what the Ducks organization likes is Dmrtiy Kulikov (6'0-195lbs) defense man. This D-man has puck skills and ability to be physical that could make him a perfect fit for the Anaheim Ducks, and with time could become a top NHL D-man. The question is, will the Ducks go for it, or stick to the same trend they've had the last few drafts in picking North American players over any one else.
Defense
If Defense is something the Ducks are looking to re-build on, especially with the impending retirement of Scott Niedermayer and the high cost to keep Chris Pronger, Anaheim might set their sights on John Moore out of Chicago. At 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 190lbs, Moore is described as "an absolutely freakish skater who's game is identical to NHL Black hawk Duncan Keith's." Moore has a heavy accurate slap shot he controls nicely, excellent puck skills and is very difficult to knock off the puck.
Scoring
If you look at the Ducks this year and last, the one thing that has been a hindrance, has been lack of secondary scoring. In 2007, when they won the cup, most of the success Anaheim had came from the fact that their first, second, and energy line were providing most of the goals. Since the finals are still within reach of this team, it would be beneficial for Anaheim to look at players that could possibly solve the scoring deficit the Ducks are currently experiencing.
A shot in the scoring arm can be had from Louis Leblanc (center) from the Omaha Lancers. Leblanc is comfortable on both open ice and along the boards, while able to get out of peoples way fast. He likes battling for pucks in front of the net, something the Ducks need more of, and isn't afraid to get dirty while doing so. Scott Glennie is another possibility due to his size as a power forward that would come in handy in creating some offense.
Ryan Ellis is another defense man that should be taken under consideration, although the Ducks seem to be covered for now with the acquisition and hopeful retention of James Wisniewski and Ryan Whitney. Right now though there seems to be more cons than pros with Ellis due to his lack of size. Ellis is proven as an offensive threat from the blue line, increasing the chance that Anaheim might take a look at this scoring machine from the OHL.
Finally Carter Ashton, RW, Lethbridge (WHL); checks in at 6’3 and 200 pounds played a bigger role this season among the top-six forwards, and Ashton has spent all his time playing on special teams and knows it’s really important to be productive there. Ashton would make a good power forward, using his size to produce points.
So who will the Ducks pick?
I can see the Ducks maybe working a deal somehow for secondary scoring and drafting Leblanc. Ultimately, we're not familiar with Bob Murray's style when it comes to drafting players. We do know he's not afraid to pull the trigger and stir things up, as was evident in his trade deadline shocker. So who knows? Maybe the Ducks will make the moves everyone thought they would; or maybe...just maybe, this will be the year the Ducks draft a Russian player.
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