2009-2010 Anaheim Ducks Preview

The Stanley Cup came to Southern California three seasons ago as a veteran-laden Ducks team defeated Ottawa in the Finals. However, since then the Ducks have been sold to new ownership and the leadership structure on the team is significantly different. Can a newly rebuilt Anaheim team make a run at the division?

Looking Back at 2008-2009

Last season was a mixed bag. The Ducks struggled at times in the early going and snuck into the playoffs as the West’s final seed with a 42-33-7 record. That left Anaheim with a matchup against the President’s Trophy winners, the San Jose Sharks. Shockingly, the Ducks upset San Jose despite finishing the regular season with 26 less points and moved on to the second round. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get past the eventual Western Conference Champions and Detroit eliminated the Ducks in a hard fought six game series.

The Offseason

There was a massive overhaul in Southern California. Faced with an untenable salary cap situation, Anaheim made some serious changes on the blue line. The biggest trade sent elite defenseman Chris Pronger to Philadelphia for a trio of young players, highlighted by young star Joffrey Lupul, who had 25 goals and 50 points last season. The Ducks also lost Brett Hedican and star Francois Beauchemin to free agency.

However, the offseason wasn’t all about players departing. The Ducks got a great deal by signing former Montreal captain Saku Koivu to a one year contract and also brought in former 1 st rounder Nick Boynton and Steve McCarthy to fill the holes on defense.

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2009-2010 Outlook

The Ducks are going to score a lot of goals this season. Up front, they have a wealth of talent, led by young stars Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan and Lupul. Don’t forget about aging sniper Teemu Selanne either, he’s still a dangerous player. There is definitely enough skill for three scoring lines on hand and the Ducks will be one of the toughest teams to defend in the entire league.

The Ducks will also have a great powerplay, considering that captain Scott Niedermayer is only one of the greatest offensive defensemen ever to play the game. Ryan Whitney also no slouch in the other team’s end and should allow the Ducks to rotate two dangerous power play units. However, this team will sorely miss Beauchemin and Pronger, both of whom were extremely capable defending and starting the rush. Furthermore, Pronger’s absence can’t truly be quantified because he is perhaps the most intimidating player in hockey and truly impacted every game that he played. The Ducks are not going to be nearly as intimidating this season on the blue line.

Finally, the goaltending situation is rock solid, as starter Jonas Hiller played very well last season and throughout the playoffs. On top of that, the Ducks’ backup is former Conn Smythe winner Jean-Sebastian Giguere! Anaheim should have two strong goaltenders but I think both of their statistics will suffer with a weaker defensive corps.

PREDICTION: Here is the Ducks’ plan for success in 2009-2010: Score a ton of goals. With so much firepower on hand, that’s a plan that will give the Ducks plenty of opportunities to win a lot of games. On top of their talent up front, the Ducks have a pair of excellent offensive defensemen that should allow them to finish among the league leaders in goals this season. On top of that, they have great tandem of goaltenders that should allow them to play an up-tempo style and not worry about getting burned in the back end.

However, I have some concerns about their ability to keep the puck out of their own net and because of that, I’m picking them to finish 2 nd in the Pacific Division behind San Jose. That said, there is no doubt that this team should make the playoffs again. Unfortunately, I feel that this team is built to succeed in the regular season more than it is in the playoffs. I’m not sold on this current group’s ability to survive a physical playoff series without both Beauchemin and Pronger, the most physical of their top four defenders from a year ago. Unless they acquire another bruiser on the blue line, I don’t see the Ducks making it out of the first round.

By Matt Baxendall
DFN Sports & ProHockey-fans.com Staff Writer

Feel your team is underrated? Tell Matt Baxendell why at matt.baxendell@gmail.com

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