Anaheim Ducks: Previewing the 2018-2019 Opening Night roster

Forwards

• Forwards (21) on Training Camp Roster – Joseph Blandisi, Andrew Cogliano, Max Comtois, Patrick Eaves (injured – post-viral syndrome), Ryan Getzlaf, Brian Gibbons, Adam Henrique, Max Jones (injured – hand surgery), Ondrej Kase (injured – concussion on 09/29), Ryan Kesler (injured – hip), Kalle Kossila (injured – hip surgery, Isac Lundestrom, Corey Perry (injured – MCL/meniscus surgery), Rickard Rakell, Carter Rowney, Kevin Roy, Kiefer Sherwood, Jakob Silverberg, Sam Steel, Ben Street, Troy Terry
• My prediction of who will make the roster (14 total): Cogliano, Comtois, Getzlaf, Gibbons, Henrique, Roy, Lundestrom, Sherwood, Rakell, Rowney, Silfverberg, Steel, Terry, Blandisi

Expected Line Pairings (left wing/center/right wing)

• 1st Line –  Rakell/Getzlaf/Terry
• 2nd Line – Gibbons/Henrique/Silfverberg
• 3rd Line –  Cogliano/Steel/Comtois
• 4th Line – Rowney/Lundestrom/Sherwood
• Scratches: Roy, Blandisi

Justification: Let’s start with the first line. Rakell, Getzlaf, and Terry have been playing together for the majority of the time in the preseason. The chemistry between Getzlaf (11 goals, 50 assist) and Rakell (34 goals, 35 assists) has been evident for many years now, but the addition of Terry on the right gives them a speed element that Perry could not give them.

Terry is a young talent with a great shot as evidenced by the one-timer he put by Kings’ goaltender Jonathan Quick off a 2-on-1 feed from Getzlaf. Like all first lines, this line will be looked to provide a great amount of the Ducks’ offense with Rakell and Terry as the triggermen and Getzlaf as the setup man.

The Second Line 

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While Kesler would normally center the second line (termed “shutdown line”) with Silfverberg and Cogliano, his absence has created the opportunity for Henrique to move up. The absence of Ritchie opened up has also an opening on the left side, now to be filled by Silfverberg.

Kesler’s line would be looked to defend the opposition’s best offensive line and provide offense when they could in the past, but this new look second line will be looked to provide more offense than previously before. This will lessen the pressure on the top line to produce so often.

The scoring on this line is arguably the Ducks’ strongest and most reliable once Kase comes back; Kase is coming off a career year with 20 goals and 18 assists in 66 games, while Henrique was very productive with 20 goals and 16 assists in 57 games after his trade from New Jersey.

Silfverberg has always been a great two-way player and has a wicked wrist shot, though he may be the wild card of this line. He is coming off a down year with 17 goals and 23 assists after a career high of 23 goals and 26 assists the previous year. Now in a contract year, the Ducks are hoping Silfverberg will return to form and bolster the Ducks’ offensive attack.

The Bottom Six (third and fourth lines): 

As a result of the breakup of the “shutdown line”, Cogliano has moved down the depth chart to the third line, which probably suits him better. Look for his line comprised of himself, Steel, and Comtois to be the one of the fastest in the league.

Cogliano will be the leader of two young rookies who have yet to play in the NHL level. Despite the inexperience, this line exemplifies the speed NHL teams are looking for. While the third line won’t be asked to score like the top two lines, it has the potential of being the best at creating turnovers and pushing the opposition back into their own zone.

Steel and Comtois give the Ducks a key infusion of youth and speed the Ducks desperately need at the bottom of their lineup. Look for them both to contribute on the scoresheet as a result of their speed and instinct. The third line should be the Ducks’ “energy line’.

The fourth line of Rowney, Lundestrom, and Sherwood will be the least talented of the bunch, but will be undervalued for the speed of its players. They won’t be asked to do much, but serve as depth scorers and keep up the fast pace of the top lines. Look for Lundestrom and Sherwood to possibly go back and develop in the San Diego once the Ducks get healthier.