Fansided

Projecting every NHL team’s chances of hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2019

By Griffin Youngs

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 16: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks skates up ice with control of the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 16, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 16: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks skates up ice with control of the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 16, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

12. Anaheim Ducks

After a disappointing end to a promising season and busy offseason, the polarizing Anaheim Ducks look to take another swing at the Stanley Cup, but they have plenty of questions to answer first.

Last season, the Anaheim Ducks finished ninth with 101 points before being swept in the first round by the San Jose Sharks. They still have a strong team, but time could be running out for the core of the team.

Why they could win

If everything falls into place, the Ducks could very well have the pieces to make a deep run at the Stanley Cup. A lot needs to go right, but it’s all there already.

The Ducks have one of the best top four pairings in the Western Conference, and improvements are on the way. Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm are proven top pair defenders on the left side, and with the revelation of Josh Manson and Brandon Mountour as top tier defenders on the right side, this defensive core is set for years to come. Add the potential graduation of Marcus Petterson to the lineup, and you’ve got a defense that can carry any team.

Don’t ever count out Ryan Getzlaf, even if he is getting older. When he was injured early in the season Anaheim looked lost, but once they got him back they began their push for the playoffs and turned the the entire season around for another 100 point season.

John Gibson also doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves as one of the best goaltenders in the league, but that is surely to change this year. With a beyond capable backup in Ryan Miller, there will be no questions in net for the Ducks.

Why they won’t win

The Ducks might be out of time, and regression might begin to kick in for their core. Corey Perry looks well on his way to falling out of the top six, Ryan Kesler career could be in question with injuries, and Ryan Getzlaf better hope father time is still well behind him.

Center depth for the Ducks is now a massive problem with Ryan Kesler rumored to be out for the entire upcoming season. Without the trade for Adam Henrique last season, there would be nothing to help Getzlaf carry the load. If the Ducks wish to really compete this year, they need to find a way to acquire at least a third line center, because Carter Rowney as a top nine forward is not sustainable.

Conclusion

There are just too many questions surrounding this Ducks team to be confident in their ability to go deep this season. Not enough improvements were made this offseason for Anaheim while the rest of the division got better. However, the team they have is still strong in all areas. A lot of things have to go right, like the youth taking a massive step forward, and the older players staving off regression to stay productive, but the Ducks make it into the playoffs and they can make some noise.

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