I recently did a Q&A with the radio voice of the Ducks, Steve Carroll.
ES: Do you think Ryan Kesler will make a bigger impact on the power play or the penalty kill? SC: First of all, it would have been interesting to see if Kesler could've helped the Ducks go farther in the playoffs had he been acquired at the trade deadline. A solid second line center is something the Ducks have been looking to add for a while now. I think Ryan helps in both areas, pp and pk. When you think about Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler on the same team it's pretty impressive. That combination of a number one and two center is as good as it gets in the NHL. I think it takes a little pressure off the number one line knowing you have a guy who can do a lot of things at that spot include be a physical, gritty type player. Hopefully he stays healthy. You have to like the way Kesler plays the game (hard). He says his and the teams goal is to win a Stanley Cup. He might be one of the missing parts the Ducks have been looking for in their ability to go all the way next season. Getting back to power play in particular, its was an inconsistent part of the Ducks success throughout the season and post-season. I think it gives the team another positive option out there. My gut tells me that a change of scenery for Kesler will be a plus for the Ducks and his game.
ES: How does the addition of Nate Thompson and the departure of Mathieu Perrault affect the third and fourth lines? SC: I think the Ducks will miss the offensive numbers Perrault put up and of course his faceoff success, something the Ducks are looking to improve on. Thompson has quite of bit of NHL experience playing with Tampa Bay, New York islanders and Boston. 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. The fact that he was an alternate captain with the Lightning says a lot about his character I think. Maybe doesn't have offensive numbers like Perrault but brings a hecku'va lot to the Anaheim Ducks. Nice pickup. 3rd and 4th line players are very instrumental in teams winning hockey games.
ES: The Ducks have contracts with eight defensemen (nine when Vatanen signs), who gets left out of the mix? SC: Who gets left out on the blue line when the regular season begins? Should make for an interesting training camp. The addition of Clayton Stoner brings the Ducks a physical style, steady, stay at home d-man when on his game. The fact that other teams like Florida, Calgary, Arizona, Colorado and Montreal had some interest in him tells me something. So at this moment, the Ducks have Beauchemin, Allen, Fowler, Lovejoy, Fistric, Vaatanen, Lindholm already here. A good combination of vets and youth. Bruce Boudreau and his staff will be busy sorting out who they like as pairs before the season starts. When you think about the 07 Stanley Cup team in Anaheim, there was Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger on the blue line, two number one defensemen playing for the same team. If you could get a number one or two guy in that position to add to this roster, look out. Problem is where do you find him because other teams are looking for those kind of people as well and how much will it cost? Maybe Scott can be a player-coach for the next two years.
ES: Do you think Bob Murray will make a significant addition to the roster, before the season starts? SC: Still look at a top four defenseman type if one becomes available. I think it noteworthy that the Ducks led the Kings 3-2 in the playoffs and went 0-5 on the power play in Game 6. One or two goals on special teams is huge in this series. The year before, the Ducks had numerous opportunities to close out the first round series with Detroit. Had chances to move on to the next round both years and didn't do it. Sometimes it takes losing to learn what you have to do to win come post-season. The regular season was great in 13-14. But the team has to get over the hump come playoff time. It's not easy playing in the Western Conference against so many good teams. Not only a challenge for the Ducks but other teams as well. The acquisition of Kesler is huge and General Manager of the Year Bob Murray and his staff have done a great job adding some pieces the Ducks have been missing. In addition, some good young players already in Anaheim is good news for the coming years. And there are more on the way. The future is bright. The 2014-15 hockey season should be exciting in Anaheim and maybe this is the year for a longer run come post-season.
A big thanks to Steve Carroll for taking the time to talk Ducks hockey during a holiday week.