With the 2019-20 NHL season on hold we are going to review where each NHL team stands at this moment until the season resumes. Here we take a look at the long-term outlook for the Anaheim Ducks.
Anaheim Ducks
Record: 29-33-9 (71 games), 6th place in Pacific Division; out of playoff spot
Leading scorer: Adam Henrique -- 43 points (26 goals, 17 assists)
In-season roster moves
- Traded Ondrej Kase to Boston Bruins for David Backes, Axel Andersson, 2020 first-round pick
- Acquired Erik Gudbranson from Pittsburgh Penguins
- Traded Daniel Sprong to Washington Capitals for Christian Djoos
- Nick Richie to Boston Bruins for Danton Heinen
- Derek Grant to Philadelphia Flyers for Kyle Criscuolo and a fourth-round draft pick
- Devin Shore to Columbus Blue Jackets for Sonny Milano
Season overview
Things looked somewhat promising at the beginning of the year when the Ducks won six out of their first eight games, but it quickly turned into another season of regression and disappointment after that.
At the time of the season suspension the Ducks were in sixth place in the Pacific Division and on track for their worst overall record since the 2003-04 season.
They rank among the bottom-five in goals scored, goals against, power play percentage, penalty kill percentage, and shots on goal per game. It is going to be their second straight season without the postseason and the third consecutive year with a decrease in total points. Ryan Getzlaf, Jakob Silfverberg, and Rickard Rakell proved to still be productive players, but none of them made a significant impact that could help carry the offense. Most concerning is that none of their young forwards took a meaningful step forward offensively.
Along with a lack of offense, they have also been hit hard by injuries, especially on defense. Not one of their defensemen has played in more than 60 games this season, while Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Josh Manson (their top-three blue-liners) combined to miss 49 man-games due to injury.
Put those two things together, along with a down year (by his standards) season from starting goalie John Gibson and it is the recipe for a long season.
Highlight of the season so far
This is an easy one. Nicolas Deslauriers recording a natural hat trick against the Ottawa Senators. Before this game he had just four goals in 58 games this season and only 28 goals in 375 career games.
MORE:
• Ducks’ biggest surprises, disappointments so far
• Ducks’ long-term outlook
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Adam Gretz is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @AGretz.