Anaheim Ducks: Slowly But Surely

Jan 13, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Shea Theodore celebrates with his team after scoring his first NHL goal during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Honda Center. The Anaheim Ducks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

There’s an old proverb that states “slow and steady wins the race.” Usually in accordance with this story is a tortoise and hair, but it seems that now we can throw the Ducks in this conversation. Slowly but surely, the Anaheim Ducks are starting to find their game after struggling for most of this season to find their game. After the Ducks made it all the way to the conference finals last year, many hockey insiders pegged the Ducks to be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender heading into 2015-2016 action. That is, until the puck was dropped.

When the Ducks took the ice this season, the magic that made them a juggernaut last year was nowhere to be found. Superstar players Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf were unable to find the scoresheet on their usual night-in, night-out basis. New addition Carl Hagelin was supposed to bring a new element of speed to this Ducks team, however it seemed more like Hagelin was skating on concrete, rather than ice. The defensive unit, while strong, seemed to be missing key veteran Francois Beauchemin, who departed for Colorado in the offseason. Perhaps the most consistent part of this team, the goaltending, was unable to take advantage of strong performances as the offense couldn’t even buy goals. Even though California is typically known for substantial water droughts, it was a goal drought that hit Anaheim the hardest.

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As December started to come to a close, so too did the noise of writers, analysts and the like writing off the Ducks as dead in the water. Well don’t look now but the Anaheim Ducks have started to turn this much maligned season around. In their last 10 games they hold a 6-2-2 record, their best 10 game stretch of the season by far. With an 18-17- 7 record, the Ducks are no longer in the basement of the Pacific Division, and sit just 1 point back of 3rd, which would guarantee a playoff spot. For as awful as things started in Anaheim, the Ducks are right where they need to be and may be peaking at the perfect time. Other than the Los Angeles Kings, the Pacific Division hasn’t exactly posed a serious threat to the Ducks and their playoff hopes. The Arizona Coyotes currently hold the second spot, yes, those Arizona Coyotes who many believed were in line for a top 3 draft pick.

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January 8, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) moves the puck against St. Louis Blues during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

There is work to be done however. The Ducks still rank dead last in goals scored with just 82. Although, in their last 6 contests, the Ducks have managed to score at least 4 goals 3 times, which is a marked improvement from early to mid December when scoring just one goal seemed to be an almost impossible task. Offensive gurus Perry and Getzlaf still need to get more points on the scoresheet, but make no mistake, this current stretch has shown fans a taste of previous years magic. Rickard Rakell has begun to find his legs in the offensive zone, same with Ryan Kesler as both players are currently tied for second on the team in goals scored (8).

If the Ducks hope to maintain their new found success, they will most definitely have to make some sort of trade to give their offense some much needed life. We’ve discussed at length players like James Van Riemsdyk or Jonathan Drouin as perfect fits for this Ducks squad, and Anaheim management knows that they have the pieces necessary to execute a trade of this caliber. Whether it be moving a piece on defense or one of their two coveted goaltenders, the Ducks have exactly whats needed to become mighty once again.

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