Last week I asked Duck Nation to put themselves in the team's brain trust in order to change the team's fortunes going forward. Today, it's my turn. For those of you who aren't familiar, in this space OpEd means the Opinions of Ed. Let's start the show.
It's Gibson's Job
To me, Friday night's 1-0 shutout win over San Jose spoke volumes. If the Ducks aren't going to score more often, somebody has to stop the puck. Gibson is 3-2-1 with a 1.56 goals against and .942 save percentage. He certainly fits the bill. Throw in the fact that Gibson is signed through 2018-19 and its clear the John Gibson era starts now.
Move Andersen
Let me start by saying I have nothing personal against Andersen. In my mind, last year's playoff dud against Chicago in the WCF showed that when he was needed to carry the load at crunch time, he couldn't do it. Some of the heat is shared by Bruce Boudreau for riding Andersen like a government mule, but ultimately the coach doesn't stop pucks. The nail in Andersen's coffin this season is his frequency of allowing soft goals. It has to be demoralizing for the rest of the team when one of those soft goals goes in as the offense is struggling to score goals of their own.
Foster Creativity
It is past time to open the offense up. Specifically, the reigns need to come off Sami Vatanen and to a lesser extent Hampus Lindholm. They are two of the most creative skaters and passers on the team. Currently the duo is stifled by the system. If the Ducks were a basketball team, they would have their talented point guards passing the ball as soon as they cross half court instead of creating offense. To that end it's also time to switch up the defensive pairings. How about Linholm-Vatanen, Fowler-Bieksa, and Stoner-Manson (until Despres returns)?
Accountability
This team is too talented to be this bad. I again refer to the Bill Parcells quote, “you are what your record says you are.… The Ducks record isn't very good. The product on the ice looks stale and uninspired. Someone needs to be held responsible for that. I think it should be Boudreau. Very little Boudreau does seems to light a fire under anyone. True professionals shouldn't need to be motivated by their coach. However, professionals also know when someone else has “got what it takes.… Boudreau was out coached by Joel Quenneville in the WCF and the players know it.
The question of a coaching change came up during DucksQs Friday. Both Steve Carroll and Dan Wood said it was unnecessary. I believe that letting Boudreau go, sends a big message to the team that you either produce results or someone else will. Can another coach do worse with this team than what we have seen so far?
Reinforcements Needed
GM Bob Murray can't afford to wait until the deadline to get help. This team needs secondary scoring, the sooner, the better. Jakob Silfverberg is not the same guy that played during last year's playoff run. Ryan Kesler has no help on the second line. Why would any opponent even bother to play their best defenders against any line other than Getzlaf and Perry. Carl Hagelin isn't the answer, nor is Chris Stewart, Mike Santorelli, Pat Maroon or Shawn Horcoff. As much as it would have been nice to see Nick Ritchie excel in his call up, it doesn't seem that he is ready to be a top six forward yet. Murray needs to find this year's Beleskey and Palmieri.
The GM, if he decides to keep this core in tact has trade options. Anaheim legitimately has at least four future NHL defensemen in their system. Even if they hold on to former first rounders Shea Theodore and Jacob Larsson it still leaves Marcus Petterson and Brandon Montour that can move. At this point, prospects Nic Kerdiles, Michael Sgarbosa and Stefan Noessen should be available too. On the big club, nothing happens to the defensemen until Despres returns. Up front, anyone not named, Getzlaf, Perry, Kesler, Thompson or Rakell can be fair game.
Those of you who read this blog know I try to stay positive. There is very little to be positive about with the way this group has preformed thus far. Whether you agree with me or not on the specifics, now is the time to make changes.