Energy Lost

The Ducks disappointed me last night (yea, like I'm the only one). I don't know what happened to them in the final period there, but it was ugly. Perhaps the road trip was beginning to show it's ugly head. No matter what, it was a loss that they shouldn't have had.
It's been a long day today and I don't really have the energy to get into it honestly, but I'll try.

Again Jonas Hiller was a savior for the Ducks. Giving up too many SOG, they have really relied on his presence in net. He has been outstanding and with how shaky JS Giguere has been lately, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the game more often from here on out. Hiller did have this to say...

"We played pretty well for a game on the road, we had the lead until about five minutes from the end, what else do you want?" -Jonas Hiller, LA TIMES

He seriously doesn't know the answer to that question? SERIOUSLY?!

As much as the defense has been lacking, it's time to look at the offense. Again, the Ducks are dealing with a 2nd line that is lacking in production. I wont continue to bash Mr. Morrison here (my friends think that I should jinx him by making him my new favorite player, but I just can't bring myself to do it...not even on opposite day). Anyway, I'm now putting forth my vote to bring back Ryan Carter (who has been out of the line up for SEVERAL games lately) his last game played was the not televised Ducks @ Stars game 11/22. That's it...bring back Carter (no comments from you Mini). I've actually been biting my tongue on that one for awhile now.

So, well that's where my energy ends on last night's game.

A quick note on the Avery thing...you know that guy is making headlines when people in your office, who you don't talk to, ask you what's going on with it (they only asked because it's very obvious that I'm a Ducks fan and that I would probably know the answer).

I was unable to post this yesterday, but here it is for you now. I did a Q&A with Sam from The Committed Indian. It's like an independent program that was sold at the Blackhawks/Ducks game last night. Here was my part in the program under the heading "Know Thy Enemy". It was really fun for me and really great exposure for Girl with a Puck. Hey! Famous in Chicago! For the rest of the edition, head over to Second City Hockey and send some support for hockey in general.

Tonight, Sara from Girl with a Puck answers our queries about the Ducks.

1. We've been touting the Ducks as Getzlaf, Perry, and everyone else. Tell us why we're wrong about that.

Interesting. Maybe I’m not removed enough to feel that way about the team. True, those guys are amazing and I don't think the Ducks would be as successful without them on the roster (a combined 57 points doesn't hurt), however, they play just a small role. For one, you can't forget Teemu Selanne, who has proved to be a PP goal scoring GOD this season leading the league with 12 (as of 11/30/08 ). What about the Chris Pronger/ Scott Niedermayer defense? Those guys may not score many goals, but they are a huge reason that other teams DON'T score. An even bigger defense mechanism is the Jiggy/Hiller threat. The Ducks clearly have a top 5 goaltender in JS Giguere and Hiller has proven himself to be a powerful presence who only seems to get better with time. Chris Kunitz is a gritty player who does so much for the top two lines with his effectiveness and aggressive play, as are Samuel Pahlsson, Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer's shutdown abilities. So yea, they might be the scoring leaders of the team, but it doesn't come without some additional offensive presence and defensive power behind them.

2. What do Ducks' fans feel about now-Toronto GM Brian Burke's departure?

I think the overall consensus is...bittersweet. I don't think anyone can argue that what he did for Anaheim was huge. Essentially, he put them on the map by bringing a Stanley Cup to Anaheim. Without him, I don't know that we get Pronger or Niedermayer. In the same sense, I don't think other management would have had the patience to allow Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan to develop the in the minors, something that other teams didn't have the luxury to do. On the other hand, the timing is rough. I don't think anyone is surprised after a summer worth of rumors though. It happens. This could be a make or break for Anaheim with so many UFA 's in the upcoming season. Bittersweet...glad that we had him, sad to see him go, some happy to see him leave, MANY kindly wishing him little success in the future. It's all a toss-up. Look at it this way, he's like the Pronger of GM's...everyone loves to hate him, unless he's on YOUR team.

3. How good can Bobby Ryan be one day?

He has the ability and the skills to be...GREAT. There is a reason he came in 2005 just behind Crosby . He has the size, the power the physical attributes to be just as great or better than Ryan Getzlaf. In fact, I think he's going to hear a lot of the same thing that Brian Burke said about Getzlaf in that he can "be as good as he wants to be". It's up to Bobby Ryan to take the skills and the things he already possess and put them to good use. He can either learn from his veteran teammates and really excel or continue thinking that he already knows everything. He's young and sometimes the lesson that there is more to learn comes too late. I'm hoping for Ryan's sake that's not the case. He worked VERY hard over the summer to get into better shape and so far the fans are happy to see him play (we've been waiting a long time for it). It's make or break time for him right now, I'm thinking...MAKE.

4. Is this the Ducks final run? They don't seem to be getting any younger...

Haha, man...with this group, I think unfortunately yes. The Ducks have A LOT of UFA's after this season and it will be hard to maintain this roster next year (something a lot of Burke hater's wont be missing about him). I think that if the Ducks are able to re-sign a few key players, Sammy Pahlsson for one, there is a good chance that a rebuilding phase could be short. I still think the Ducks will be considered Cup Contenders for many seasons to come because this particular franchise is a desirable place to play (much more so than say LA) and players are still looking to Anaheim as a popular destination (it's like a damn resort city or something huh?). The Ducks might be finding themselves in a rebuilding phase for the next few years.

5. What area will the Ducks be looking to upgrade during the season?

PERSONALLY, I'd like to see a STRONGER 2nd line Center. I think Selanne is being wasted on someone who currently doesn't match up to his style of play. What with a phenomenal 1st line Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry and 2/3 of a good line in Kunitz and Selanne, a second line center is what's missing from have 2 dynamic scoring lines. However the Ducks have always looked to their defensive core as a powerful weapon and no doubt will be looking to improve there now that Beauchemin is out for the season. The nice thing about the Ducks defense is the mix of veteran players and young presence. Huskins is getting the best training possible from Pronger and Niedermayer and Morrison has been a fantastic addition to the team this past off-season. The goaltending duo is stacked. Second line Center, Veteran defenseman as potential upgrades.

6. We've made no secret of how miserable we think attending games in Anaheim are. Here's your chance to defend your fellow Ducks fans and the Honda Center

Bummer. I clearly can't agree here. From what I have noticed, the fan base is growing steadily stronger. Hate the Honda Center? How is that possible? It's small, it gets loud (ahhh, maybe that's why other teams hate the place), and there isn't a bad seat in the building! The fans are growing in number (true, it's slow, but we've got a lot of sports to compete with in So Cal.). One thing I can say is that while Anaheim may not be considered a hockey market, it's definitely not struggling. The place is constantly packed and if it got 1⁄2 as much attention as other sports in the area, it might blossom more than people expect. The Ducks don't get the recognition they deserve, if they did...other teams might be surprised at how great hockey is doing in So Cal!