Ryan Kesler played about half of the 2017-2018 season and was noticeably slower and less effective, which showed on the stat sheet as he mustered only 8 goals and 14 points with an unusually low CF% of 48.18 in 44 games. He was also among the lowest on the team in GF% (goals for percentage) at 43.9%.
It was just a bad year for Kesler, bad enough for a lot of Anaheim Ducks fans to question whether or not he should be relied upon for his typical role of both primary shutdown center and second-in-command offensive quarterback.
Anaheim’s management and coaching staff need to think about icing a team without Kesler. Even if Kesler plays (and I doubt he’ll play much this year) he should absolutely not be taking on big minutes, especially not against the team’s top offensive players.
Until and if this injury problem clears up, Kesler is not Anaheim’s shutdown center.
If Kesler doesn’t play, it gives Randy Carlye and Bob Murray an opportunity to consider a couple of important questions:
1. Do we absolutely need to ice a “shutdown” line and play matchups?
2. How do we roll four lines consistently so that our big names get more rest?
In this respect, I think it could be good for the culture in Anaheim if Kesler doesn’t see any ice time this year. When he’s good, he’s really good, and I do want him back. But if he’s gone for a while, it will force the Ducks to at least partially abandon the idea that you have to constantly be playing matchups and avoiding your weaker lines.
Life after Kesler means focusing on your own team’s skill and a balanced lineup. In other words, ice the best team you possibly can, without as much regard to matchups.
Line Combinations without Kesler
For example, a Kesler-less Anaheim line combination could look like this:
Rakell - Getzlaf - Eaves
Kase - Henrique - Perry
Terry/Ritchie - Steel - Silfverberg
Cogliano - Rowney - Gibbons/Ritchie
While this lineup probably doesn’t make as much sense in the typical Carlyle coaching approach, it’s a fantastic fit for a speedier, younger team that plays more of a possession-style game instead of dumping the puck in every play.
It also frees you from playing matchups as heavily, focusing instead on icing players that can put the team in an offensive mindset.
Gonna Be Some Changes Made
If Kesler doesn’t play, Anaheim will have to employ something similar to the above line combinations. You can’t just throw Henrique into Kesler’s roll on the second line and expect it to function the same way. Even guys like Cogliano and Silfverberg can play more of a lateral style and be effective, offensively-minded skaters who are trying to make plays in and into the offensive zone.
Thus, playing the season without Kesler could be totally fine. However, that assumes Carlyle and Murray are willing to make the lineup and gameplay changes necessary to actually utilize their current roster.
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