Three Things About The Opposition

This season we figured we’d reach out to our friends in the Pacific Division and ask them to tell you and us three things about their team for the upcoming season. It could be any three things, but we wanted them to inform you about the Flames biggest rivals in the NHL.

We are starting this off with the Anaheim Ducks and their writer CJ Woodling from Anaheim Calling. So here’s Three Things You Need To Know About The Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks aren’t as old as you think.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Anaheim has had a reputation of being old and slow for some time now. While that used to be the case, it is no longer now. The Ducks have a grand total of three players over the age of 30 on their everyday roster (Ryan Getzlaf, Carter Rowney, and Ryan Miller). The oldest defenseman is 27-year-old Cam Fowler, with 21-year-old Brendan Guhle all but locking up a spot alongside him. Troy Terry, Sam Steel, Max Jones, and Max Comtois figure to get permanent roles this season, all of whom are 22 or younger.

This team won’t be as bad as you think (probably).

It’s very unlikely they’ll make a run at the Pacific Division title. But this team showed some scoring potential as players rebounded post-Randy Carlyle last season. Along with further development by several highly-touted forward prospects and a new head coach in Dallas Eakins brining his high-event offensive system from San Diego to Anaheim, the Ducks at the very least will cause a surprising amount of headaches for opposing teams.

On the other hand, the Ducks defense isn’t as good as you remember.

Once touted as arguably the deepest team in the league on the blueline, General Manager Bob Murray has systematically dismantled that surplus over the last several years to the point that there are only three proven defensemen on the Ducks roster this year. Shea Theodore got shipped to Vegas at the expansion draft. Sami Vatanen was sent to the New Jersey Devils for Adam Henrique. Brandon Montour got punted to the Buffalo Sabres for Guhle and a 1st round pick. And prospects Jacob Larsson and Josh Mahura haven’t developed as quickly as the team hoped. Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson, and Cam Fowler are the only proven options left. Who’s ready to have some fun in the Ducks end?!