Ducks in a Row...and I'm damn excited about it

One of the girls in my office joked with me yesterday that I'm going through the 5 stages of grief.

Those stages are:
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance.

Yea, I've experienced them all and I'm glad to say...I'm on stage 5. I've accepted this new team for what it is...the beginning of a rebuild. But one thing is for sure, this team has a much better outlook than the team would have come July 1st. I know you've all read Bob Murray's comments on what his thinking was with this team, and I'll be honest...the man made some smart decisions during a difficult point in the Ducks present/future; even though I was unable to see that clearly at the time. Accepting that this team will be getting new faces in the off-season was one thing, but seeing it happen now is much different. But here is the most important factor...this team just got alot younger, and maybe (maybe) alot more talented. Those things would not have happened if we would have lost the players who were traded away for nothing come UFA season.

I will not/cannot take anything away from what those past guys brought to this team...but it wouldn't be forever and we all knew that. In fact, one day we're all going to see Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan not in a Ducks uni (hopefully because of retirement...but who knows). Sooner than later we're going to see Teemu Selanne, Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger leave for good...and we'll all deny that it's the end, be angry that they've left/ended their careers, bargain with ourselves that they will return, be overly depressed about the loss of great talent and then ACCEPT that things are going to get better...WILL get better! Here's the most important part...the past means NOTHING now. NOTHING. What THAT team did in 2007 is irrelevant to what THIS team NEEDS to do in 2009. What THAT team did at the beginning of this season is put THIS team in a position that is going to require hard work and determination.

The Ducks aren't out of this thing yet, and by no means should the fans give up on this group. They can become a team...a GREAT team. I for one am by no means about to give up on this organization that I love.

Remember: it's all about the NOW. What they can do NOW. Not what's going to happen tomorrow, or on July 1st. Not what happened yesterday or in 2007. NOW. Right NOW, the Ducks need fans who are ready to take on some new faces and new obstacles. Right NOW...I think it's a GREAT time to be a Ducks fan...and I'M DAMN EXCITED ABOUT IT!

So tonight...I think these boys will be a scoring machine!

Ryan Getzlaf...hopefully his face is feeling better (still can't believe how tore up he looks! He MUST feel awful!)

Bobby Ryan...sporting a new number!!! Ramon thinks 9 is jinxed. It's only been worn by one other and like it or not, Bobby Ryan will do the fans proud no matter what digit he's sporting.

I think the new guys are going to do some great things, starting with tonight.

Petteri Nokelainen...by far my favorite new name...just say it out loud, it's fun! Plus he's from Finland...Selanne must be loving that!

and...Erik Christensen. He's going to be up with the big boys on the first line (if it sticks for tonight) and I think it will give him an opportunity to shine. I've heard alot about his potential...and now I want to see it!

Don't mess with me boys...you saw how I've felt about "others"!!!

GO DUCKS!!! NOW IS THE TIME! Do you feel that excitement? Bring it!!!