The first team overview and prediction we are going to go into is the Anaheim Ducks. Anaheim had an average year last year, but were shown some real bright spots for their future with Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale, and especially Mason McTavish. The Ducks loved what they saw from Troy Terry last year, he started off the year scorching hot, going on a 15 game point streak, tying the franchise record. Then they were shown the skills of Trevor Zegras. Zegras made flashy plays and showed just some of what his potential could be. Mason McTavish, enough said. This kid is the real deal, and he showed it in flashes in Anaheim last year and then put it on full display this summer at the World Junior Championships. McTavish is already the Calder (Rookie of the Year) Award front-runner for this upcoming season and rightfully so. This kid will be a star for a long time. The Ducks also addressed some needs at forward by going out and signing Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano. The two former Rangers should bring some added scoring and 2-way play to their lineup. I think Vatrano is going to be a real X-factor for the Ducks this season playing in a first or second line role. However, losing out on the Kadri sweepstakes is definitely disappointing for the Ducks. Kadri would have been a great first/second line center to bring more scoring and a true 200 foot game to Anaheim. Ryan Strome is a solid second line center option, but he is not Nazem Kadri. The Ducks also have a formidable bottom six with players that can bring some depth scoring, as well as good defensive play. Where I think the wheels will come off is their back end. Anaheim went out and signed John Klingberg on a 1 year x 8 million contract. Klingberg is not exactly what the Ducks need on defense. His style of play fits the offensive-minded team, but they need more two-way or defensive-minded defensemen. They also have their young stud defenseman, Jamie Drysdale. Drysdale is extremely skilled offensively, but is very much lacking defensively, having been a -26 through 81 games last year. His defensive skills need to make a jump this season. Anaheim's defense is not built for defensive play. Their best true two-way defender is Cam Fowler and even sometimes he is less than stellar. Their entire right side is comprised of offensive defensemen that lack defensive prowess and the ability to give John Gibson a second to breathe. Gibson is one of the best goalies in the league, he just has not been able to get the back-up in front of him and it seems as though he is not going to be getting it again this year. The Ducks are going to be an offensively driven team that when they are met by a good defensive team, they will more than likely lose that game. The Ducks will have a better season this year, but they are not going to make the playoffs. They are too young of a team and need a few more pieces on the backend t0 make a push for the playoffs.
Projected Record: 36-38-8
Playoff Projection: No
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