Jason Lewis: Pacific Division Preview: Anaheim Ducks

I agree that most likely they will be duking it out, fighting for the top spots. That would make the "So Cal Winter Classic" only that much better. I, for one, will definitely be at that game....rain or shine.

Jason Lewis: Pacific Division Preview: Anaheim Ducks
- Jason_Lewis

I agree that Kings & Ducks will fight for top spot. I also think Vancouver and San Jose will both take a step backwards this year. IMHO.

Lydman is gone too

I agree that most likely they will be duking it out, fighting for the top spots. That would make the "So Cal Winter Classic" only that much better. I, for one, will definitely be at that game....rain or shine.
- dprice818

Rain in SoCal? Oh please great writeup and should be an exciting season for both teams!

Lewy-That 4/7 game was at the Pond, not Staples. Not a huge deal, but the intro above the video of Perry scoring with all those Ducks' fans cheering and banging those thunder sticks presents a distorted view of Staples.

Rain in SoCal? Oh please great writeup and should be an exciting season for both teams!
- selanne4pres

The Ducks have good, young depth and a pipeline at goalie that should help them land some decent parts in a trade. Can't wait to see Gibson/Quick match-ups in the future. Best of luck in 13/14...but not too much luck.

A great piece! I can't imagine the Ducks dueling for top spot without Ryan AND Selanne, though. If he doesn't resign, they'll make the playoff, but be mediocre for awhile. Jason, I would love to hear more about the Ducks defense, and who the hitters and shot blockers are.

Wow Jason, what a great write up! It will take me a while to get used to such level-headed blogging when it comes to the Ducks. I'm used to a Matt Barry expletive filled Ducks suck blog.
I don't think the Ducks will miss Bobby Ryan's offense, I believe Silfverburg along with Palmieri and Etem will all get the job done this year. The big question will be the defense. The Ducks will win games in the regular season because of their offense but defense gets it done in the playoffs. Unless Hiller or Fasth have a Vezina trophy season I think this season will look remarkably similar to last season.

Hey thanks for the chip ins on the corrections and stuff. Much appreciated!

I think they benefited by the shortened season. They were like a line of coke: huge boost, big burnout. I see them doing what they've done in seasons past, where they struggle a bit, then push for a fail at the end.

I'm more concerned with teams that have lost the tough break games, such as SJ, PHX, and to a lesser extent, VAN.

I think they benefited by the shortened season. They were like a line of coke: huge boost, big burnout. I see them doing what they've done in seasons past, where they struggle a bit, then push for a fail at the end.

I'm more concerned with teams that have lost the tough break games, such as SJ, PHX, and to a lesser extent, VAN.
- Ersberg

The ducks have an insane amount of young talent though, Silfverberg and Palmieri could replace a lot of the lost offense, and Fowler seems primed to break out. I wouldn't be surprised to see the team move a goalie to get some blueline help as well. As long as Beauchemin is ready to go early I cant see this team behind Phoenix or Vancouver.

I don't think the Ducks will miss Bobby Ryan's offense, I believe Silfverburg along with Palmieri and Etem will all get the job done this year. The big question will be the defense. The Ducks will win games in the regular season because of their offense but defense gets it done in the playoffs. Unless Hiller or Fasth have a Vezina trophy season I think this season will look remarkably similar to last season.
- duxcup07

I'd agree, always thought he was a tad overrated, although If Selane doesn't play that'll be a huge blow. I'm amazed at how effective he is at his age. I think an argument could be made that, along with Nik Lidstrom, he was the best player of his generation.

With Selane I don't see any reason they regress. Without him, I could see a big step backwards

I think it will be interesting to see how well the Ducks can sustain throughout an entire season. Obviously losing Ryan is going to hurt but I feel like Silfverberg is set to have a breakout season and even if not this year should provide the Ducks with good production for years to come. I also question if Fasth will have the same kind of performances as he had last season, but in the same though Hiller should play better than he showed last year. They'll definitely compete this year.

I think it will be interesting to see how well the Ducks can sustain throughout an entire season. Obviously losing Ryan is going to hurt but I feel like Silfverberg is set to have a breakout season and even if not this year should provide the Ducks with good production for years to come. I also question if Fasth will have the same kind of performances as he had last season, but in the same though Hiller should play better than he showed last year. They'll definitely compete this year.
- handikick

I wonder if the NHL making Fasth change his pads had something to do with his evening out.

He started 8-0-0 until the NHL made him change his shoulder pads, then went 7-6-2 the rest of the way.

I wonder if the NHL making Fasth change his pads had something to do with his evening out.

He started 8-0-0 until the NHL made him change his shoulder pads, then went 7-6-2 the rest of the way.
- StayTunedMTC

I think also it was like batters figuring out a pitcher. Fasth was completely new to this league and almost every player that faced him was facing him for the first time. Hard to read a goalies tendancies or have scouting reports ready for a player like Fasth. Second and third outings he was starting to get read better and scored on more frequently.

Nonetheless I think the Hiller-Fasth battle will ultimately decide who is the starter until John Gibson is ready. That kid might be the real deal. First year in the AHL this year and he's been tremendous in everything up to this point.

Keep a sharp eye on Corey Perry this year, who scored a majority of his goals by cherry picking and being a little snatch, his two specialties.
- Jason_Lewis

Fixed.

I wonder if the NHL making Fasth change his pads had something to do with his evening out.

He started 8-0-0 until the NHL made him change his shoulder pads, then went 7-6-2 the rest of the way.
- StayTunedMTC

Woah that happened? I'm a goalie so this confuses me. Why would the NHL force him to change a chest protector? All chest/arm protectors on the market meet NHL regulations and I assume a custom pad would as well. He did switch leg pads during that streak which seemed to expose his five hole, but I still never heard of the NHL getting in the way. Source?

Woah that happened? I'm a goalie so this confuses me. Why would the NHL force him to change a chest protector? All chest/arm protectors on the market meet NHL regulations and I assume a custom pad would as well. He did switch leg pads during that streak which seemed to expose his five hole, but I still never heard of the NHL getting in the way. Source?
- selanne4pres

The NHL initially approved of his pads, but then I guess told him to change them.

I'm sure there are other sources, but this is the first one that came up.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...nt-goalie-pad-downsizing/

I think also it was like batters figuring out a pitcher. Fasth was completely new to this league and almost every player that faced him was facing him for the first time. Hard to read a goalies tendancies or have scouting reports ready for a player like Fasth. Second and third outings he was starting to get read better and scored on more frequently.

Nonetheless I think the Hiller-Fasth battle will ultimately decide who is the starter until John Gibson is ready. That kid might be the real deal. First year in the AHL this year and he's been tremendous in everything up to this point.
- Jason_Lewis

As far as the first paragraph, I agree with you. That makes a lot of sense and I'm sure has an impact.

As far as the second paragraph, Gibson has all the makings of a good goalie. If he does make it up to the big club, we'll see how he does with a mediocre defense in front of him (if they don't shore it up in the meantime). His last 4 years he's been what, around 92% save %, i think he played in the junior championships, watched a few of their games, looked good there.

I agree with your assessment.

The ducks have an insane amount of young talent though, Silfverberg and Palmieri could replace a lot of the lost offense, and Fowler seems primed to break out. I wouldn't be surprised to see the team move a goalie to get some blueline help as well. As long as Beauchemin is ready to go early I cant see this team behind Phoenix or Vancouver.
- ky678468

They have the offense, but I question their defense and goaltending. Francois won't have the same season he did last year. Like I said, the dangerous teams are really the ones that were already dangerous, but were performing below their means. SJ, PHX, and VAN will be dangerous next year.

They have the offense, but I question their defense and goaltending. Francois won't have the same season he did last year. Like I said, the dangerous teams are really the ones that were already dangerous, but were performing below their means. SJ, PHX, and VAN will be dangerous next year.
- Ersberg

True, when you compare them to Phoenix, LA, and San Jose's defense it isn't much to look at. If Lindholm steps up this year that would be huge. They also need Fowler and Sbisa to play much more consistent