With a pathetic 55 goals for in 30 games, the Anaheim Ducks are easily the lowest-scoring team in the NHL.
It’s staggering to consider that this could happen, even if Ryan Getzlaf did go under the knife early in the 2015-16 season. And even if the bounces have been especially cruel to the Ducks.
Some might call it throwing them under the bus; others may lean more toward “sending a message” (or even just honesty amid frustration). Either way, Bruce Boudreau acknowledged Anaheim’s scoring troubles after a troubling 3-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
Boudreau: "We need our best players to be our best players on a consistent basis. That’s not happening right now." #ANAvsBUF
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 18, 2015
Getzlaf is aware of the criticism ... and it’s definitely out there.
Is Ryan Getzlaf even on the ice in this game? Good lord, what happened to this guy? #Ducks #Sabres
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) December 18, 2015
One can understand Boudreau’s frustration, yet sometimes those speak-your-mind moments precede a coaching change.
(Heck, Boudreau merely needs to look at Paul MacLean and his mustache to see how a frank moment can leave you shake, shaking it off into the sunset.)
At the same time, one cannot help but wonder: what can Boudreau do, and would a coaching change really help? It sure feels like something has to give soon ...