Anaheim Ducks: Positives to take away after a rough 2018 season

4 of 4

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Anaheim Ducks /

3. Pace of play

Slowly but surely, the Anaheim Ducks moved from a physical, grinding type of game to a faster style of play built on team speed and getting traffic to the net. Introducing newer younger players and making the use of their skating ability necessitated this as well as adapting to keep pace with today’s NHL.

More from LA Sports Hub

Nevertheless, the Ducks still have work to do to ensure the fast style continues for a full season.

The results in the short term though were positive. The Ducks slowly started to score goals in transition and began to play better with a quicker pace.

In fact, they went 11-5-1 and scored 57 goals in their last 17 games, good for over three goals per game. Shifting to playing quicker made the Ducks more dynamic and a greater threat on offense while reducing the need to play in their defensive zone.

Style of play also affected how personnel was used. Playing faster also made it logical for young legs to play more. Forwards Sam Steel, Max Jones, and Troy Terry were thus elevated into greater roles.

Steel became the center of the top line alongside Rakell and Silfverberg and looked good at it. Jones quickly became a fan favorite with his hunger and tenacity to hunt the puck down. Terry dazzled with his skill and smarts to generate offense for teammates, especially on the power play.

I also must not forget the contributions of young blueliners like Guhle and Larsson who became part of the top four defensemen at times in the season.

With the Ducks starting to integrate more youth into their defense corps, they figure to play more prominent roles in helping drive offensively and play against some of the top offensive talents next season.

Next. Offseason moves the Kings need to make. dark

Hopes for Next Season

Should the Ducks want to go anywhere, making the full transformation to a faster style that still needs work will make them a tougher opponent. The presence of young players in the forward and defense corps will hopefully allow the Ducks to play at the pace they want to play with.

Bounce back seasons from veterans like Perry, Getzlaf, and Rakell offensively and solid goaltending are also key. I am optimistic the Ducks’ young and upcoming core can continue to evolve and be impact players over an 82 game season. It’s their turn to rise to the challenge and help bring this team back to the playoffs.

Home/Anaheim Ducks