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It's been a bit of a mixed bag since the Ducks revamped twenty percent of the roster at the trade deadline. They have two wins and two losses. At times the team has looked very good and at others, rather mediocre. There is no time to reflect. The Ducks play almost every other day until the end of the season and the next three contests are against good teams.
Up front the new additions mirror Anaheim's recent play; Also a mixed bag. Tomas Fleischmann seems a bit snakebitten. He has one goal in his four games as a Duck, but could easily have had a few more. Jiri Sekac has produced decent results in his seven-game tenure. Three points, plus three and nine hits seem like a scratch on the surface of his talent.
Upon reflection, I'd like to see a modification in their roles. I think Jiri Sekac can do a bit more than he has been asked to do in recent weeks. His skill set is a good fit to compliment to Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on the top line. Conversely, Flash's game is a better fit with Ryan Kesler and Kyle Palmieri on the second line. Those two can open the ice in the forward zone so that Flash can be, well, flashy.
The jury is still out on the Ducks two defensive additions. Due to an injury and “missing… equipment, James Wisniewski didn't make his Duck re-debut until Monday's loss in Vancouver. He seemed to fit in and once he gets acclimated, he should be a welcomed addition to the power play.
Simon Despres has looked like a steal for three of his four Duck appearances. Looking past his less than pedestrian performance against his former team in Pittsburgh, its plain to see why he was a first round draft pick. It isn't clear what his role is with team will be this season, after Sami Vatanen's return. Going forward, he has the ability to be a productive top four defenseman for the Ducks.
Ducks at Calgary
The Ducks are in Calgary tonight and looking to break a two game losing skid. Matt Beleskey, Sami Vatanen, Tim Jackman and Korbinian Holzer are all out of the game due to injuries. For some reason Jiri Sekac will be on the fourth line tonight. John Gibson makes the start in goal. Here is tonight's expected lineup:
Forwards Maroon-Getzlaf-Perry Flash-Kesler-Palmieri Cogliano-Rakell-Silverberg Etem-Thompson-Sekac
Defensemen Lindholm-Brauchemin Fowler-Despres Stoner-Wiz
Goalies Gibson Andersen
-Ed