For several years, Mighty Ducks hockey at the Arrowhead Pond had rivaled another popular Anaheim attraction. That all came to an end in the 2000-01 season, as the Ducks sputtered to a 25-41-11-5 finish, earning the lowest point total (66) in the Western Conference. Anaheim unloaded its coach only two months into the season and traded away star winger Teemu Selanne to San Jose. With a new coach and a new focus on defense, the Ducks are shifting gears in their rebuilding process. While Anaheim now has bodies on the blue line and in net, the Ducks are still thin on the attack and Paul Kariya will need to post big-time numbers this season. Will the magic return to Anaheim?
Here are your thoughts on what Anaheim needs for next season:
Same old sob story in Anaheim
The Ducks are a novelty act in the NHL. Since entering the league they have consistently relied on one or two players while filling the roster with the rest. Paul Kariya is a great player, but his legacy is being stifled by playing for a team that does not get him any support (the exception being Teemu Selanne, who they have now taken from him). From an outsider's perspective, it would seem that if they wanted to, Anaheim could use those "Disney Dollars" to build an extremely high-end team. The offseason acquisitions are nothing short of ordinary and will do little to help. There is little reason to believe that Anaheim will be anything but bad this year. Since Kariya couldn't do it with Selanne, how is he going to do it alone?
Dave
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Market lethargy is abominable
Terrible offseason. The only move they made was to trade for Keith Carney. Pierre Gauthier should be ashamed to collect a paycheck. And the Ducks' draft resulted in another unknown European player, even though everyone else can see that the Ducks continue to get manhandled in almost every game. This offseason validates my decision to discontinue my season tickets.
Mike
Anaheim, Calif.
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Any team that would even consider hiring Bryan Murray as a head coach should have it's head examined. ” |
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— Peter, New York |
Taking the right steps
The Ducks won't make the playoffs, but they will have a good start to the rebuilding process. It starts with their two solid goaltenders. And Jeff Friesen and Paul Kariya have an infectious work ethic. Since they will miss Teemu Selanne's production, the Ducks will have to become a defensive-minded team to be successful. With division rival Phoenix also in a rebuilding year and the Kings not having a clear direction, the Ducks have an opportunity to steal a few more points.
Steve
San Jose, Calif.
Good health a must for any improvement
The Ducks can ONLY improve after last season's swan dive to the bottom of the West Conference cellar. Yes, I know the Ducks had injuries, but so does every other NHL team. That's where depth comes in. The good news: The Ducks improved themselves with a solid goaltending tandem and upgraded their defensive corps with some veterans who have grit and size. The bad news: A failure to address their lack of offensive depth and size in the offseason may come back to haunt the Ducks. Any injury to their top line players (i.e., Jeff Friesen, Steve Rucchin, Paul Kariya), and the Mighty Ducks might convert back into the Lame Ducks (again) and sink back into the conference cellar. Final Analysis: If the Ducks stay healthy, they'll challenge the likes of Minnesota, Columbus and Phoenix. Any injuries to key players and the Ducks might as well dress their mascot, Wild Wing, to play, since he appears to have more size than some of their (smaller) players. If the Ducks' owner, from the happiest place on earth, would loosen the purse strings for a couple of offensive players, the team would move up in the conference and challenge the likes of the Avs, Wings, Blues and Stars. It would also be a move like that would definitely help fill the row upon row of empty seats over at the Pond.
Lyle
Orange, Calif.
Kariya should book it
It is so hard to sit and watch Paul Kariya waste away his career with a team that is so uncommitted to winning. It is nice to see that Teemu Selanne got out. Imagine the numbers Paul could put up playing for a serious team like the Red Wings.
Kelly
Los Angeles
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If the Ducks stay healthy, they'll challenge the likes of Minnesota, Columbus and Phoenix. Any injuries to key players and the Ducks might as well dress their mascot, Wild Wing, to play ” |
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— Lyle, Orange, Calif. |
Poor coaching won't help
This franchise is a disgrace. Any team that would even consider hiring Bryan Murray as a head coach should have it's head examined. This is a guy who hasn't coached in the NHL in years, and his last job with the Detroit Red Wings, where he failed miserably. He had the most talented team in the league and he couldn't come close to the Cup. It took Scotty Bowman to bring Cups to Detroit. Poor Paul Kariya. He is forced to "pick his poison" at center, either Steve Rucchin or Jeff Friesen, both of whom are terrible and are not fit to sharpen Kariya's skates. There is no talent on this team past Kariya, and the playoffs are light years away. I thought Disney had a lot of money? Or maybe they just don't want to win. Hopefully Disney will dump talent again like they did last year with Teemu Selanne. Do Kariya a favor and send him somewhere where he has a chance.
Peter
New York
Our kind of Guy
It was surprising for me to see Anaheim finish the way they did last year. Part of it can be attributed to Teemu Selanne's slump and the other part being the ultimate release of Guy Hebert. For as long as I can remember, Hebert has been the cornerstone of this team and his play usually defined how the team was doing in general. If Steve Shields can step up and play at a better level than Hebert, this team can be dangerous. Also, it's finally nice to see that Oleg Tverdovsky is finally playing up to his potential and either lighting or helping to light up the lamps more than he has in the past.
Aaron
Seattle
Progress will start with defense, goaltending
It is difficult to gauge a true reading on the Ducks' from last season due to their significant number of injuries. I believe they played fewer than 15 games with their two top lines healthy. Their depth is questionable at best, and when you remove players like Paul Kariya, Steve Rucchin, Mike Leclerc and Niclas Havelid for large chunks of time, they are not left with enough talent to challenge many NHL teams. Unless they acquire some scoring punch, especially on right wing, they will have to build their effort around their goaltending. Anaheim's goaltending may have questions too. Jean-Sebastien Giguere has never proven himself over an entire season, and Steve Shields is coming off surgery. With the team's lack of scoring depth, if the goaltending slips a little, the Ducks could be in for a long season.
Randy
Palmdale, Calif.
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Once again, the forwards on this team are about as deep as a wading pool at Disneyland. ” |
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— Doug, Villa Park, Calif. |
Scoring drought will continue
While teams wheel and deal for Doug Weight, Pierre Turgeon, Jeremy Roenick and the likes, the Ducks continue to sign the Primanis' of the leagues and worse. Where's the beef? True, the Ducks will have two solid netminders in Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Steve Shields, but who's going to score? As usual, the Ducks are left with one scoring line, Kariya plus two others. Unless Disney is willing to open up the vault, I can't see much change in the overall outcome for the upcoming season. And with a lot of the marquis players already gone, this season is pretty much cemented in that fact that they will again go without a solid No. 2 line.
Rick
Aliso Viejo, Calif.
Offensive 'fire' will fizzle this season
Once again, the forwards on this team are about as deep as a wading pool at Disneyland. Every year after a poor performance, we are promised an upgrade in talent and depth. This year, Pierre Gauthier made good on part of his promise. The acquisition of Keith Carney will help. However, we are tired of waiting for these supposed forwards to produce. Re-aquiring Denny Lambert? Retaining Jim Cummins? What is Pierre thinking?
Doug
Villa Park, Calif.
