Will the Anaheim Ducks’ coaching change help them improve in the 2016-17 NHL season?
The 2015-16 season was a tale of two seasons for the Anaheim Ducks. October and November saw them dig themselves into a huge hole. December through April saw them climb out of it to win the Pacific Division. After another first round exit, this time at the hands of the Nashville Predators, the Ducks fired head coach Bruce Boudreau and hired an old friend in Randy Carlyle, who is the last head coach to win a Stanley Cup with the Ducks.
Offseason Review
Here’s what the Ducks did this offseason.
Additions: C Jarred Boll (Blue Jackets), G Jonathan Brenier (Maple Leafs), F Mason Raymond (Flames), C Antoine Vermette (Coyotes)
Losses: F David Perron (Blues), F Mike Santorelli, F Chris Stewart (Wild), G Frederik Andersen (Maple Leafs), F Jamie McGinn (Coyotes), G Anton Khudobin (Bruins), F Brandon Pirri (Rangers)
Retained: D Sami Vatanen, D Korbinian Holzer
Pending: D Hampus Lindholm, C Rickard Rakell
Most of the Ducks’ money they saved from the players they lost is going directly to extensions signed by center Ryan Kesler and defenseman Sami Vatanen. Another good portion of that money is going to Jonathan Bernier’s salary. However, Anaheim has young players like Jakob Silfverberg and Nick Ritchie who are ready to take on larger roles. It will be relying on those players to take on larger roles, something they might not be prepared to do.
The Ducks will be relying quite heavily on their proven core of Getzlaf, Perry, and Kesler to carry the team. That’s understandable because they have contended for years basing their team around Perry and Getzlaf. The Ducks were a bad offensive team last season so it’s a tad bit surprising they weren’t more aggressive in free agency. Rickard Rakell should provide help if the Ducks can get him signed.
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Anaheim will lean on its strong blue line. It carried the Ducks to the playoffs and allowed Boudreau to utilize a neutral zone trap. Expect Vatanen and Lindholm (assuming he signs) to play large roles. Holzer is an underrated depth defenseman. Cam Fowler and Kevin Bieksa form a rather solid second pairing. Don’t overlook Simon Despres. It’s easy to with the Ducks depth, but he’s a very solid defenseman.
John Gibson will likely get most of the starts after the Anaheim Ducks finally decided which goalie they were going to keep by trading Andersen to the Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier is a very capable backup.
Mandatory Credit: Harry How/Getty Images
Player Spotlight: John Gibson
With the Frederik Andersen trade, the Ducks have put their future in the hands of goaltender John Gibson. Gibson has shown a lot of potential but has never been a starter in the NHL. His 40 games last season set a career high. Before last season, Gibson had just 23 career NHL games.
Last season, Gibson proved himself to be a very capable goaltender. His .920 save percentage in 2015-16 ranks second all-time among 22 year old goalies with at least 40 games played. Goalies typically take a while to develop, but Gibson has been impressive at a very young age.
Gibson will not be alone, as he will have Jonathan Bernier backing him up. Bernier is a very capable goaltender, so expect the Ducks to rest Gibson quite a bit as he prepares to be the Ducks’ franchise goaltender.
Goalies come and go. The list of young goaltenders to start strong only to flame out is remarkably long. Gibson must prove he is not the modern day Jim Carey or Felix Potvin. The best part about Gibson? He is very cheap for the next three seasons. Over the next three seasons, Gibson has a $2.3 million cap hit (34th among goaltenders entering the 2016-17 season). His $1.5 million salary in 2016-17 ranks 41st among goaltenders.
Despite his microscopic cap hit and salary, the Ducks are investing a lot in Gibson. They’re a team seeking to win now. By trading Andersen, the Ducks have boldly declared Gibson will help them win now. Not just in the future, but in the present as well. It’s rough to put so much pressure on a goalie, but life isn’t fair. The Anaheim Ducks are expecting nothing less than greatness from Gibson.
2016-17 Outlook
The Anaheim Ducks, for better or for worse, are bringing back virtually the same roster that won the Pacific Division last season. Bruce Boudreau did a great job coaching the team to the playoffs, but can Randy Carlyle do the same? His tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs suggests otherwise.
Carlyle will have a very good blue line. Can he take advantage of their variety of skill sets and gifts? Will he be able to win without having Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer as his two best defensemen? How will he handle the youngsters like Gibson, Silfverberg, Vatanen, and Ritchie?
Anaheim should contend for a playoff spot this season. However, with the Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames both improving, the road to the playoffs could be far more bumpy than last season. General Manager Bob Murray could be out of excuses if this team fails.