Brian Gibbons – McKeen's Hockey

Pacific Coast – Anaheim Ducks 2018-19 Season Preview

Robert Howard — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:36:01 +0000

Review/State of Play - Finished with their fifth straight 100 point season getting swept in the first round by San Jose after making it to the conference finals two out of the three previous years. It was an impressive achievement given injuries would plague their veteran players with Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry and Cam Fowler all missing meaningful time. They represent $30.25 million in cap space and a significant factor in any further success this season. There have been some promising young pieces emerging, but the window is closing on this forward group.

GM Bob Murray largely stood pat over the summer except for minor depth additions, despite professing the need to become a faster team. Faithful to coach Randy Carlyle, often the target of criticism for a throw back style of coaching that doesn’t seem to fit the offseason narrative of Murray. In the bottom of the third of the league in CF% with 48.62, he may succeed in getting the club into the postseason, but are they built to succeed, particularly when other strong teams have added significant pieces to challenge?

Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67)

Growing internally – There were some encouraging signs of internal growth of younger players. Rickard Rakell definitively established that last season’s breakout was real and hit new highs in goals (36) and points (69) to lead the team in scoring, after Getzlaf had the honor for the prior six seasons. He finished 10^th in the league in 5v5 goals with 22. He tied for third last season with 26 and is behind only Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews over the two seasons combined. He led the team in scoring with eight goals on an anemic Anaheim power play (tied for second last in power play goals scored).

The emergence of young defenders 26-year-old Josh Manson and 24-year old rookie Brandon Montaur as impactful regulars was key last season. Manson led the backend in scoring with 37 points, all but one of them coming at even strength. He also anchors the shutdown pairing alongside 24-year-old Hampus Lindholm and led the team in shorthanded time on ice. Montour produced 32 points and played over twenty minutes a game leading the team in power play time on ice and points (18). They form one of the strongest core of young defenders in the league when including 26-year-old Cam Fowler.

The biggest development last season came from 24-year old goaltender John Gibson. He turned in an outstanding season and was one of the best keepers in the league from January on posting the leagues second best save percentage (0.937) and third in GAA (1.95) for goalies who played 10 games or more – he was first among tenders who had played 20 games. He was instrumental in keeping the franchise playoff bound and among the top ten teams in the league.

The spectre of age and injury loom - Corey Perry is drawing a cap hit of $8.625 million and at 33 years of age his 30 goal seasons appear to be over after not achieving 20 in the past two seasons. A rebound may be a reach, and his contract remains an albatross with a no trade clause. Ryan Kesler, also 33 years old, had a tough season after hip surgery and a December debut. He did not seem to get back to form entirely by seasons end and there are reports he is in intensive rehab and talk of missing the season entirely. Patrick Eaves missed all but two games last season and whether he can contribute at his past level remains to be seen.

Adam Henrique at 28-years-old added some depth up the middle after being acquired for Sami Vatanen and scored 20 goals for the Ducks in the final 57 games. He brings speed, work ethic and good hockey sense entering his prime. He rounds out a solid experienced group up front. They signed 30-year-old Brian Gibbons on a one year contract in the offseason - having previously played and showed chemistry with Adam Henrique.

Outlook - They enter this season with a similar line up to last season but did add experience and depth on the back end in Andrej Sustr and Luke Schenn, both on low cost one-year contracts ($1.3 million and $800,000 respectively). They replace veteran Francois Beauchemin.

Third in the league in goals against with an improved defense and three solid lines up front when healthy the Ducks have some factors in their favour for another appearance in the playoffs. A sweep in the playoffs exposed their lack of speed and could not produce offense when called upon.

They have made no significant improvements to a weak offense that is reliant on an aging superstar. The power play in desperate need of help did not receive any. The are placing their hopes that a healthy Eakins and Kesler along with general good health amongst the veterans along with an emerging young group will carry them further. A strategy that should see a further, if slow, decline this season.

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Watch

Peter Harling — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 13:40:14 +0000

The NHL season is just past the half way mark and the Olympic break is upon us. This means it is crunch time in fantasy hockey. Time to fish or cut bait on the season. Are you a contender? Or should you be looking to the future? If you want to go for it you can look to trade with a bottom dweller offering picks or prospects for current producing NHL players. Another and much cheaper option is to look at the waiver wire where you can snag a player for free. Here are five players to look at who may be available in your league depending on its size and format

Tyler Johnson - Tampa Bay Lightning, C, 63% Fantrax Owned

Johnson went undrafted in the NHL, and if he also went undrafted in your fantasy league take advantage. Johnson has eight points in his last five games including a hat-trick against Colorado on January 25^th.

Ondrej Palat – Tampa Bay Lightning, LW, 49.7% Owned

Palat and Johnson are line mates and the pair has been red hot as of late. I am a big fan of owning teammates ever since the duo of Brett Hull and Adam Oates made me a fantasy hockey Champion. Palat has five points in his last three games played. If you can’t snag Johnson, snap up his wing man.

Zack Kassian – Vancouver Canucks, RW, 41% Owned

Kassian is a streaky player in that he is often either scoring on the first line, or in the coaches dog house riding pine, or worse in the press box. The Canucks have been hot lately winning four of the last five and Kassian has been a big part of their success. He has three points and 16 PIM’s in that span. Kassian has the skill, size and mean streak to be a dominant forward and is having the best year of his career. He may be on the cusp of his long awaited coming out.

Andrej Meszaros – Philadelphia Flyers, D, 28.8% Owned

Meszaros has been plagued by injury and missed all but 11 games last season and has often been a healthy scratch this season. However, he has had a good month, scoring 11 points in 13 games and sporting a plus/minus of plus-2 in that span. He carries a heavy cap hit $4 million which expires after this season and could find himself on a new team as a UFA or sooner via trade.

Brian Gibbons – Pittsburgh Penguins, RW, 11% Owned

Gibbons made this list earlier in the season, but in case you missed it here he is again. He was first called up after scoring 22 points in 15 AHL games and he had a two point NHL debut. He has been back and forth between leagues a bit, and was injured but now has six points in 14 career games and is playing on a line with Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. His cap is the league minimum of $550,000 and he is well worth the gamble.

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Watch: Quarter Mark

McKeen's Hockey — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 04:38:49 +0000

The first quarter of the season is now over and by now you should have a pretty good idea if you will be competing for a championship in your fantasy league this year or not. Regardless if you are or not, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on the waiver wire for potential valuable players who may be available. If you are in contention, these players may be the difference maker giving you injury relief or increased depth. If you are not a contender, they give you some trade value to help improve your teams future in keeper leagues.

Nikolai Kulemin – Toronto Maple Leafs, Left Wing 28.4% Fantrax Owned

Kulemin missed the first 12 games of the season with an ankle injury. He had two points in his first two games but has only scored one in his next seven. Kulemin does provide a healthy amount of hits however with 23 giving him added value in some leagues and he is a former 30 goal scorer. Kulemin is worth a free pickup at this point.

Carl Soderberg – Boston Bruins, Left Wing 25% Owned

Soderberg is in his first full NHL season, but the 28 year old has been playing pro hockey in Europe for years. His season debut was delayed due to injury and he has been slow to produce offense out of the gate with eight points in his first 15 games. However he has been playing better lately and had a multi-point game NOV 18 against Carolina. He is playing on the Bruins third line with Reilly Smith and Chris Kelly averaging over 13 minutes a game. His modest cap hit makes Soderberg a low risk fantasy option with decent offensive upside. Perhaps his game winning goal and assist against Carolina is a hint of what to come.

Peter Holland – Toronto Maple Leafs, Centre 24.6% Owned

Recently acquired from the Anaheim Ducks for Jesse Blacker, Holland provides the Leafs with some depth down the middle and relief for injured centers Dave Bolland and Tyler Bozak. Holland was a first round pick by the Ducks (15^th overall in 2009). In 21 NHL games last season Holland produced five points and didn’t look out of place. More impressively, he scored 39 points in 45 AHL games. This is also a contract year for Holland so expect him to use this opportunity to place a bid for a one way NHL contract next year. He is a keeper.

Luke Adam – Buffalo Sabres, Centre 12.3% Owned

Adam had fallen out of favor under the old regime in Buffalo. But with a clean slate, Adam will be given the opportunity to work his way back into a top six role. He has an impressive 18 points in his first 15 games this season in the AHL and the size at6’2”, 206 LBS that new Coach Ted Nolan loves. Adam was recalled to Buffalo on Nov 20^th and will play on the second line with Steve Ott and Zemgus Girgensons.

Brian Gibbons – Pittsburgh Penguins, Centre 7.4% Owned

Gibbons is an undrafted College find of the Penguins who signed him after he had two 50 point seasons in Hockey East with Boston College. After two average 30 point seasons in the AHL, Gibbons has exploded with 22 points in 15 games this season, and made his NHL debut. All he did in his first game was score a goal and an assist, not bad. He is small at 5’8” 160 LBS but is very skilled and great hockey sense. He is certainly running hot right now and is well worth a gamble, ride out this hot streak and hope it lasts the whole season.