By Jeremy A Miller

The Season So Far

If You’re an Anaheim Ducks fan you’re saying to yourself is this too good to be true? Fan of the NHL in general, you’re thinking it’s just a fluke. If you love the great sport of hockey in general, you’re losing your mind.

So how is it that the 3^rd worst team in the NHL. Is in a tie for first place in the Pacific Division. This is a division that has the Edmonton Oilers. The Calgary Flames who have been tearing it up as of late. And the Vegas Golden Knights, the odds-on favorite to win the division, the conference, and even Lord Stanley’s Cup.

The formula is simple, youth is taking over the ranks of the “Flying V”. You can look no further the one of the hottest wingers in the league right now in Troy Terry. 

Terry’s Stellar Form for the Ducks

Terry, at one point this season, had a 16-game point streak, the 2^nd longest in the league this year. First was of course the self-proclaimed Connor McJesus.

 Nonetheless the streak was impressive in those 16-game. Terry had 11 goals, and 10 assists which made him the youngest Duck, at 24 years old, to record a point streak of at least 15 games. Troy became the Ducks 3rd best in franchise history only behind Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne, and resident good guy/ turncoat Corey Perry. Troy Terry is the youngest player in the NHL with points in 16 consecutive games. Unseating future Hall of Famer Patrik Laine when he did it for the Winnipeg Jets in 2019.

There were many other factors that have led the Ducks to success. The rest of the ducklings, Trevor Zegras, Isac Lundestrom, Sam Steel, and Jamie Drysdale, have provided points and some spectular highlights goals and passes thanks Trevor. 

Another factor has been between the pipes. John Gibson was talked about all off-season as a trade chip. Gibson has been stellar in net. The emergence of Anthony Stolarz, taking over for the future Hall of Famer Ryan Miller, can not be forgotten. Stolarz has not only been adequate, but at some points looked a little bit better than Gibson.

Probably the biggest highlight of the Ducks season has been the main piece to the puzzle in Anaheim for many years, Ryan Getzlaf. The team captain recorded his 1000^th point on a primary assist on a Cam Fowler goal (Troy Terry had the secondary) to make his 17^th season in the league worth the wait. Getzlaf is currently the Ducks 2^nd leading scorer, behind Terry, with 20 points in 23 games. He also leads the team in assists with 19.

What’s on the Horizon for the Ducks???

The NHL is on an extended Christmas break due to an uptick in Covid-19 cases. It was also announced that there will be no NHL representation of any kind in this year’s Beijing Olympics. So, while guys like Getzlaf, Terry, Fowler, Rickard Rakell, Gibson, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Zegras were going to represent their respective countries. The rest of the team was going to get a break because of the Olympics to recover and recoup.

Now the million dollar question is, with no Olympic break, while there may be an All-Star break this year, what does that mean for the Ducks? Can they keep up this current form they’re on?

This writer has to say unequivocally, YES. The Ducks have what it takes to keep this momentum and ride it all the way to the playoffs. The Ducks have some key pieces hurt right now, but can get them back for an end-of-season/ playoff run for sure. 

The Returns from Injury

Adam Henrique is due to come back after the Christmas period. Reuniting him with Terry and Getzlaf is going to be a solid line combo once again. Josh Mahura is Day-to-Day, so he could come back soon. This solidifies the Ducks D corps helping vets like Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Kevin Shattenkirk, as well as the young D-Men in Jamie Drysdale and Simon Benoit. Max Jones is out with a Pectoral Tear. The left winger could come back in time for the playoffs. While being a key piece to the Ducks going down the stretch.

The Duckling on the Rise

John Gibson has already been hurt this year taking a knock in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In his stead, Stolarz and future netminder Lukas Dostal, who was brought to the NHL from San Diego, stepped up. Unfortunately, Dostal did not feature or backup in a game while Gibson was down. If he had, Dostal’s numbers in San Diego in 35 games of work is not horrible a 2.87 GAA and a save percentage of .916. At the young age of 21, Dostal has time to simmer in San Diego before he’s thrown in the kitchen called Honda Center.

How Far Will They Go???

Now, you must remember this is pure speculation on this writer’s part but let’s have some fun with this.

Looking ahead there are some pieces that the Ducks may want to move at the trade deadline. So they need to at least get something for the pieces in question. Unless the Ducks absolutely tank the rest of this season, I don’t think you will see Rickard Rakell, Isac Lundestrom, Sonny Milano, Sam Steel, Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson, or Simon Benoit move. Not to mention the Captain Ryan Getzlaf is only on a 1-year deal.

There could be some guys depth moves though. Keep an eye out for deals for guys like 4th liner Nicolas Deslauriers, or Sam Carrick who could be Expendable to keep younger guys like Benoit-Oliver Groulx, or Buddy Robinson. The Ducks maybe even bring back in Mason McTavish or Sasha Pastujov.

Should the Ducks Retool???

Maybe you could confidently move a Hampus Lindholm or Josh Manson at the deadline to make a space for a Brenden Guhle, or even an Olen Zellweger. It is possible they bring a vet like a Greg Pateryn into the fold.

I would think the ultimate goal for the Ducks this year to make the playoffs. I mean every team obviously wanting to win Lord Stanley’s Cup, but let’s be realistic for just a moment. 

The Rest of the Division

You’ve got to think Vegas is about to be re-enforced with the arrival of Jack Eichel. They are getting healthy again and bringing back guys like Mark Stone, Reilly Smith, and Max Pacioretty. The Oilers will always be threatening with one of the best one-two punches in the NHL in Connor McDavid, and Leon Draisaitl. The Flames have their own monster in the likes of Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk, Elias Lindholm, and Andrew Mangiapane. That’s not telling what teams like LA, San Jose will do. And even Vancouver with their reemergence with their new HC Bruce Boudreau leading the way.

Where the Ducks Will Fall

I’m getting off topic, so where do I think the Ducks will fall this year. Honestly, and I hope that’s what you guys want to read, I feel the Ducks could be one of the top 3 in the Pacific for sure. Now, I don’t think that means a number 1 seed. Hopefully, I’m wrong. I do see the Ducks heading into the playoffs. They may face either a red hot Flames squad. Or maybe they tangle with the Knights or Oilers.

I’m going to say a they get quarterfinal series where they may end up facing the machine that is Colorado. They could also face Minnesota which would be amazing series in my opinion. Gibson v. Cam Talbot, Terry v. Kirill Kaprizov, Drysdale and Zegras v. Matt Dumba and Jared Spurgeon. God I could go on, but I won’t. I shall hold off to till later in the season 

So, let me think what you have to say in the comments below, and tell me how I did.