30 Predictions. 30 Days. Day 1: Anaheim
Posted 5:10 PM ET | Comments 4
Before I start with my predictions, I just want to clarify what I mean when I say “predictions”. I am not just sitting here looking into a crystal ball. My predictions are more of a logical guess based on facts and observations. Sometimes I am right and sometimes I am wrong, and I am completely fine with that. I also want to note that I will not be doing any predictions on standings just yet. That will come later this month. Now onto the predictions!
Looking at the Anaheim Ducks, the first thing we have to figure out is if their success last season can be repeated this year. Anaheim has been a good team for many years now. They had a bad year in 2011-12, most likely caused by injuries and poor production by their top players. 57 points for Getzlaf is not going get many wins for your team. Last season's performance by the Ducks seemed to surprise a lot of people, when in reality, the season before was most likely the anomaly. I think that the Ducks will do well again this year, probably not as good last season, but good enough to get a playoff spot most likely.
Will the loss of Bobby Ryan hurt the Ducks this season? To answer this, you have to look at who is replacing him on the roster. Jakob Silfverberg will get a chance to take some of Ryan's minutes, but will he produce like Ryan did? Not yet. There is a good chance that Silfverberg will eventually get there, but I don't think he can pull off a 30 goal season just yet. I would expect a 20 goal season out of Jakob this season. Another name that could help replace Ryan's numbers is Kyle Palmieri. He had a breakout season last year with 21 points in 42 games. I would expect Kyle to get around 20 goals as well, but if he spends a lot of time in the bottom six, which is possible, those numbers could fall. Emerson Etem is another player that has potential to become a top scorer. In his first full season this year, he should easily get around 40 points. Looking at all the replacements, I don't think any one player is going to replace what Bobby Ryan did for this team. It is going to take all three of these young player to step up and produce. One of these guys definitely could take that next step and produce like Ryan, but for now, it's going to take a group effort.
Will Selanne be able to continue to produce this season? Selanne continues to play well in his "old age". I have no reason to think that he will suddenly just stop scoring and be an average player. I think 45 points is where he will end up this season but 50+ and even 60 is not out of the question. I have a stong belief that if Selanne felt that he had nothing more to offer the Ducks, he would have retired. He is a secondary scoring player now, behind guys like Perry and Getzlaf, but watch for him to get the 25 goals he needs to get to 700.
Make sure to watch out for my Day 2 predictions tomorrow! Boston is next!
Thanks for reading!
Make sure you follow me on twitter for daily hockey predictions during the season. @iguesshockey
Looking at the Anaheim Ducks, the first thing we have to figure out is if their success last season can be repeated this year. Anaheim has been a good team for many years now. They had a bad year in 2011-12, most likely caused by injuries and poor production by their top players. 57 points for Getzlaf is not going get many wins for your team. Last season's performance by the Ducks seemed to surprise a lot of people, when in reality, the season before was most likely the anomaly. I think that the Ducks will do well again this year, probably not as good last season, but good enough to get a playoff spot most likely.
Will the loss of Bobby Ryan hurt the Ducks this season? To answer this, you have to look at who is replacing him on the roster. Jakob Silfverberg will get a chance to take some of Ryan's minutes, but will he produce like Ryan did? Not yet. There is a good chance that Silfverberg will eventually get there, but I don't think he can pull off a 30 goal season just yet. I would expect a 20 goal season out of Jakob this season. Another name that could help replace Ryan's numbers is Kyle Palmieri. He had a breakout season last year with 21 points in 42 games. I would expect Kyle to get around 20 goals as well, but if he spends a lot of time in the bottom six, which is possible, those numbers could fall. Emerson Etem is another player that has potential to become a top scorer. In his first full season this year, he should easily get around 40 points. Looking at all the replacements, I don't think any one player is going to replace what Bobby Ryan did for this team. It is going to take all three of these young player to step up and produce. One of these guys definitely could take that next step and produce like Ryan, but for now, it's going to take a group effort.
Will Selanne be able to continue to produce this season? Selanne continues to play well in his "old age". I have no reason to think that he will suddenly just stop scoring and be an average player. I think 45 points is where he will end up this season but 50+ and even 60 is not out of the question. I have a stong belief that if Selanne felt that he had nothing more to offer the Ducks, he would have retired. He is a secondary scoring player now, behind guys like Perry and Getzlaf, but watch for him to get the 25 goals he needs to get to 700.
Make sure to watch out for my Day 2 predictions tomorrow! Boston is next!
Thanks for reading!
Make sure you follow me on twitter for daily hockey predictions during the season. @iguesshockey
Im confused what exactly did you predict in this blog ? that players would step up and replace Ryan or that the Ducks would find themselves in the playoffs this year again ?
Those are definitely predictions. Not crazy ones, but realistic ones.
No they are good I was just wondering if those where the predictions or what. Silferberg is an interesting playe. Who do you think wins the starting job for the Ducks this season
I think Hiller gets it. Fasth played well, but I have some doubt that he can do it as well this season.