Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf Among Elite Players In NHL
As captain of the Anaheim Ducks, Ryan Getzlaf is responsible for what happens to the team every game. In a loss, he takes the blame for the team. Every game, number 15 leads the Ducks onto the ice for every game.
Once again this season, Getzlaf put up incredible numbers in the offensive and defensive categories. Getzlaf is the type of player that can pass through several defenders or shoot a wrist shot for a tying or winning goal. The Ducks captain, by making those type of plays, has put himself in spot among the elite players in the NHL. In the rankings, Getzlaf landed in the top 10 in assists with 33 and co-lead the league in overtime scoring with two goals and three assists. Recently, Getzlaf moved past Paul Kariya into second place on the Ducks all-time scoring list.
Live Feed
Pucks and Pitchforks
Getzlaf looks to continue improving his performance on the ice. For three seasons now, he continues to improve on unblocked shot attempts and shot attempt differential. Getzlaf recently set career-highs in both these categories this past year. Not only has Getzlaf helped himself improve his numbers and stats, but has also helped improve his teammates numbers as well.
Linemate Patrick Maroon‘s numbers improved last season while skating on the top line. His goals For per 60 improved to 3.30 last season. Also, Maroon’s For percentage improved to 56-percent. When playing with Getzlaf, Maroon collected 12 points, with three goals and nine assists. Teammates Corey Perry, Hampus Lindholm, and Cam Fowler‘s numbers all improved last season thanks to Getzlaf.
On the defensive side, Getzlaf tacked on 95 blocked shots, which is second among Ducks skaters, and 55 takeaways. His face-off numbers were amongst the biggest improvements by winning 50.6-percent, which was a career high for the veteran center.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
In last year’s playoff run, Getzlaf tied for a league lead in assists with 18. During the season, Getzlaf was known for showing his emotional side as well. His outbursts would pump up his teammates and get the crowd on its feet. He would often show his emotion towards the referees whenever a call didn’t go the Ducks way. For showing his emotion, Getzlaf was a finalist for the Mark Messier Leadership Award.
After the Ducks got ousted from the playoffs once again at the hands of the eventual champion Chicago Blackhawks, Getzlaf explained that he felt his efforts weren’t up to his expectations. In his end-of-the-year interview, Getzlaf told press, ” We moved closer to our goal, but we’re not where we want to be. Hopefully our guys learned some lessons this year. I learned some things. We need to approach the start of next year the way we did at the start of this one, on a mission to get back and have that opportunity.”