Anaheim Ducks: Top three questions the Ducks must answer this season
By Redan Lopez
Where will the Anaheim Ducks’ offense come from?
The Anaheim Ducks were wildly inconsistent offensively last season, which is no surprise they finished last in scoring. Scoring an average of 2.4 goals per game just is not going to work, especially when you’re giving up about three a game.
The offense needs to be fixed and that means contributions from everybody, starting with the captain. As mentioned above, Getzlaf had a down year with only 48 points, the worst since his rookie year back in 2005-2006. While some of it can be attributed to the lack of effective wingers around him, the whole team did not seem to mesh for the majority of last year, which resulted in fewer points for Getzlaf.
Make no mistake though, Getzlaf is still a very effective first-line centerman at age 34 and can still contribute as a playmaker and a scorer when he chooses to shoot the puck. I’m looking for him to play with Rakell and another young winger that can dish the puck and score.
As long as he plays fast and makes quick decisions on the ice, he should return to healthier point totals that benefit the team.
Getzlaf should be able to return at the very least a 65 point scorer. I’m fearlessly forecasting 15 goals and 55 points next season, an increase of 22 points from last year.
Other Ducks will be counted on to contribute. The Ducks will also be asking Rakell to return to scoring 30+ goals, which we were accustomed to prior to this past season. Hopefully, fellow Swedish winger Jakob Silfverberg should continue scoring around 25 goals, and veteran Adam Henrique should be able to put in 20 of his own.
Beyond the veterans, I am also looking to some of the young players to score some more.
Ex-Pittsburgh winger Daniel Sprong showcased his scoring ability last season when given a chance to play, notching 14 goals in 47 games. Only 22, Sprong will only get better if given regular ice time in the top-9 forward group and on the power-play unit. Hopefully, his role on this team only continues to grow as he evolves in a better all-around player. Watch out for his breakthrough!
Homegrown players like Max Jones, Troy Terry, Sam Steel, and Max Comtois will also be counted on to score more, assuming they all make the team.
What’s key for this team is that its defensemen provide offense on the back end. Top three defense Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Josh Manson all need to give more. That means getting involved offensively, shooting the puck, and not playing too much in your own defensive zone.
Overall, the offense must come from different players in order for the Ducks to have a chance at success this season. Having one or two lines do a majority of the scoring will not work.