Last week I previewed the Ducks power play. Today, I go to the other part of special teams; the penalty kill.
The Ducks penalty kill was schizophrenic last season. At home they killed off penalties at a rate of 84.4%, which was eighth in the NHL. On the road, they were ranked 20th with a paltry 80% . All totaled, the Ducks were a mediocre 13th in the NHL during man down situations; playing at an 82.2% clip. GM Bob Murray took steps to improve that unit in the offseason and those moves are a cause of optimism headed into next season.
According to leftwinglock.com, the Ducks primary penalty kill (PK) unit consisted of forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Daniel Winnik. Additionally, the defensive pairings were Cam Fowler with one of Francois Beauchemin, Ben Lovejoy and Brian Allen.
The defensive pairings should be largely the same. The biggest change will be the addition of free agent Clayton Stoner. The 6'3…, 225lb Stoner will assume the role of snowplow on the PK. His job is to clear the front of the net so the goalie can see shots better. You can expect the continued improvement of Fowler as well as an occasional cameo by Hampus Lindholm. I don't believe Lindholm was selected 6th overall in the 2012 draft to sit on the bench in crucial situations.
The forwards on the kill will be the area of greatest revision. Winnik has departed. Ryan Getzlaf is good in a shorthanded role, but he may not be needed the way he has been in the past. The acquisitions of former Selke winner Ryan Kesler from Vancouver and Nate Thompson from Tampa Bay will allow for Getzlaf to get some increased rest. Kesler had been a mainstay on the Canucks PK for years. Over his career he has won 52.9% of the faceoffs he has taken and as mentioned earlier he is a former Selke Award winner as best defensive forward in the league.
Thompson is also an experienced penalty killer. As Ducks broadcaster Steve Carroll put it a recent interview:
“A 51 per cent career faceoff number and has won over half of his faceoff attempts in five of the last six seasons. Has Stanley Cup playoff experience with Tampa and has worked a lot on the penalty kill with Tampa Bay. He will be helpful shorthanded for the Ducks.…
Getzlaf, for all the great things he does; is not as good on faceoffs. He has won over half his draws only one in his career and that was by a total of four. I'm not saying Getzlaf does not deserve to play on the kill. The additions of Kesler and Thompson means Getzlaf does not have to play as much. There is a big difference between “have to… and “want to…. I'd just as soon like to see him rested a bit more. Even a three man rotation will give the captain more time off than in previous seasons.
The Ducks look to have improved play on the penalty kill in 2014-15.
Next up will be a look at some rookies and prospects.
-Ed