• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Humor

Three Bold Predictions for the Ducks Next Season

By Alex Kozovski July 27th, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
Fowler Ducks

Cam Fowler. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Every preseason, it’s ritual for me to make ridiculous claims on what I think will happen in the upcoming NHL campaign. My predictions appear to have little merit, and rightfully so: they’re usually as stupid as they are wrong. Among my most recent gems include Matt Duchene hitting 40 goals (he DID have a breakout year though), the Ducks would be a lottery team (whiff), and Jonas Brodin would be a Norris Trophy candidate (I just…I don’t even…what…).

Having said all that – I have more predictions. I don’t think I did any favours divulging my track record when it comes to forecasting approaching seasons. Nonetheless, here are three bold predictions for the Anaheim Ducks next year, along with the thought process to my methods of Milbury madness.


1. Cam Fowler eclipses 50 points, shows franchise defenceman potential.

For the first time since Scott Niedermayer, the Ducks may have a franchise defenceman to lean on in the near future. I’ve been a long-time complainer of Anaheim being a notch below the top dogs – Chicago, L.A., St. Louis – due to the lack of franchise defender every top team employs.

I didn’t think the Ducks would ever be in position to snag another one unless it was through trade. I mused about Cam Fowler filling the role, but wasn’t sure he had the complete game.

Last season changed my stance. He rounded out his game and used his elite speed at both ends of the ice to impact – and sometimes take over – games. The offence has always been there, evidenced by his 40-point rookie campaign, but it was the questions about the rest of his game. The only reason he slipped to 12th in the draft to the Ducks were actually those questions marks.

Those have been answered. He’s entering his 5th NHL campaign and looks like he’s a burgeoning star. He made Team USA’s Olympic team (to the dismay of Keith Yandle and Dean Lombardi), and rightfully so. After finishing as a minus player every year of his career, he had a career-best plus-15 last season.

With a stronger Ducks lineup and more responsibility, Fowler should easily top 50 points and alleviate any long term concerns the Ducks might have on the backend.


 

2. John Gibson wins 30 games, and the Calder Trophy.

Let the insanity begin! In seriousness, I’m kind of semi-serious about this prediction. I’m drinking the John Gibson Kool-Aid after last season’s call up, regardless of the small sample size. The starting job in Anaheim is up for grabs, as it seemingly always is. Jonas Hiller is out of the way, Frederik Andersen hasn’t played a full year as starter, and Jason Labarbera is Jason Labarbera.

Gibson’s regular season numbers were otherworldly: 3GP, 3W, .954 SV%, and a 1.33 GAA. His playoff stats…who cares? The fact the 21-year-old was even trusted with a minute of playoff action shows how highly this netminder is regarded in the organization.

He’s the total goaltending package: size, athleticism, and technically proficient. He’s had success at every level he’s played at and I don’t think the NHL will be any different. The only thing missing is experience. He’ll have quite a bit more pressure than your average rookie goalie as the Ducks are in win-now mode, but he’s got the pedigree and game to take the Ducks to the next level.

I’ll forecast a stats line of 33 wins, .915 SV%, 2.60 GAA.


3. Dany Heatley returns from the dead, scores 30 goals.

Alright, I’m pushing it here. Dany Heatley hasn’t scored 30 goals in so long, he probably doesn’t even remember scoring over 30 goals before. But I think the 33-year-old can revive his game in Anaheim.

One reason I don’t see this as farfetched: Ryan Getzlaf. IF Heatley gets a chance to line up with the Dynamic Duo, he’s in prime real estate for some sweet production and numbers. If there’s anything Heatley took away from his stint in San Jose, hopefully it was how to ride your center’s coattails to stardom (re: Jonathan Cheechoo). With Getzlaf a premier point man on the power play, he can set up Heatley for bootleg Steven Stamkos one-timers all day.

Heatley’s almost guaranteed to either line up with Getz or Ryan Kesler, so he’ll have every chance to succeed. He looked disinterested in Minnesota and this change of scenery could be exactly what he needs. Though he’s lost a step or five, he can still shoot the puck. And that’s all you really need to do when you play with a guy like Getzlaf.


Now that my predictions are in the public eye, there’s no turning back. I’m all in with these forecasts, and if history has taught me anything, it’s that none of these will happen.

  • Tags
  • Cam Fowler
  • Dany Heatley
  • John Gibson
  • Ryan Getzlaf
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 15th 6:25 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens’ Romanov Fired Up to Face Oilers’ McDavid and Draisaitl

Jan 15th 6:00 PM
San Jose Sharks

Sharks’ Second Line Shines in Season Opener

Jan 15th 5:50 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Marner Looking to Add Goals to His Stats

Jan 15th 5:35 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Three Takeaways from the Sabres’ Season Opener

Jan 15th 4:50 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers News and Rumors: Smith, Barrie, Forsberg, Puljujarvi, More

Jan 15th 4:40 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers Have Rough Season Opener but No Need to Panic

Jan 15th 4:20 PM
Column

Jets News & Rumors: Scheifele, Laine, Hellebuyck, Lewis & Quicksand

Jan 15th 4:10 PM
New York Rangers

Rangers Bring More of the Same in 2020-21 Opening Night

Jan 15th 3:45 PM
Column

Red Wings News & Rumors: Ryan, COVID, Markstrom & More

Jan 15th 3:30 PM
Boston Bruins

2020-21 Season Openers: Flames Lose Again, Islanders & Capitals Excel

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information