Its early August. For lack of anything substantial going on, I'll talk about the Ducks power play.
In my mind, four of the five slots on the top power play unit are set. We know what to expect from Getzlaf and Perry. Fowler came into his own last season as a player and his 15 power play points were the second highest of his young career. His skating and puck handling make him a shoo in. Ryan Kesler is a very versatile player. Not just anyone can fit in with the Sedin twins, but he did. Additionally, when one of the Sedins missed time with an injury, he managed to adjust his role and still be just as effective, The fifth member is somewhat of a question mark. There are two ways to go here, I'll refer to them as Options A & B.
Option A
Option A is the Traditional route of three forwards and two defensemen. That would put Getzlaf, Perry and Kesler up front. Fowler is at one point. The other player I'd like to see on the back line is Sami Vatanen. Vatanen is not a big man, but he doesn't need to be to man the point on the power play. His speed, play making ability and wrist shot make him very dangerous with a man advantage. Additionally, his skill set are a fantastic compliment to the other four. Defenders can't play him too tight because he can blow past them; nor can they play too far off because he can step up and shoot that nasty wrister.
Option B
Option B is a four forward, one defenseman lineup. Getzlaf, Perry and Fowler are in the same slots, but Ryan Kesler moves to the point. This isn't his best spot, but he can handle it. The fourth forward spot can go one of two ways. First, Dany Heatley has proven over his career to be a dynamic player with the man advantage. I'm not suggesting that he will put up 43 power play points like he did in 2005-06. Rather his skill, experience and for lack of a better word, guile compliment Getzlaf and Perry. The other idea for the fourth forward slot is Patrick Maroon in the “Dustin Byfuglin… role. At 6'-3…, 230 pounds, Maroon is big enough and bad enough to be a major pain in the butt for opposing goalies.
The Second Unit
Teemu Selanne was the glue here recently, but he is gone. I can see many players used on this unit and the makeup will be very fluid. I expect coach Bruce Boudreau to go with Option A most often. That leaves Heatley, Maroon, Jakob Silverberg and Matt Beleskey, as the candidates up front. Unfortunately, none of those guys is a center, so Andrew Cogliano will get time as well. I like players with some creativity to play on the power play so my choices would be Silfverberg and Heatley on the wings. Lindholm is the ideal choice to handle the puck and be partnered up with Francios Beachemin.
Next up will be a look at the Penalty Kill.
- Ed