2014-2015 Ducks Preview: Aiming High in Anaheim

The Ducks made their 20th anniversary as an organization a special one in 2013-14, repeating as champs of the Pacific Division while topping the Western Conference with a franchise-best 54-20-8 record and 116 points. Anaheim's achievements were all the more impressive in considering that the team had dealt away arguably its third-best forward, Bobby Ryan, to Ottawa in the offseason, and were without the services of one of their top blueliners in Sheldon Souray (wrist surgery) for the entire season.

However, thanks to exceptional performances from the usual suspects (Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry), a resurgent season from its top blueliner (Cam Fowler) and the collective growth of its youthful core (Jakob Silfverberg, Hampus Lindholm, Frederik Andersen, Sami Vatanen, to name a few), the Ducks were able to not only build on their successes, but raise expectations for what the future may hold for the franchise. Though the past postseason ended with a disappointing series loss in the Western Conference Semifinals to the eventual Cup champions (Los Angeles), Anaheim still has the requisite assemblage of both veteran talent, quality depth and rising youngsters to remain among the league's elite.

In order for the Ducks to dethrone the Kings and ward off the many other contending threats in the Western Conference, continued improvement from the team's bevy of 25-and-under players may be the key. At no position is that more apparent than in goal, where the Ducks decided to part ways with longtime netminder Jonas Hiller in favor of a timeshare of Andersen and John Gibson. Both goalies have shined brightly in their brief NHL careers, but their ability to withstand the rigors of an 82-game regular-season schedule -- plus the postseason -- will have a strong say in where the Ducks finish in 2014-15.

The transition in goal should be aided by a defensive corps that ranked among the league's best last season. After regressing in his previous two seasons following a stellar rookie campaign, Fowler cashed in on the two-way promise the Ducks had been waiting to reemerge. He'll be relied upon to anchor the blue line along with 20-somethings Vatanen and Lindholm, both of whom look like they'll be long-term cogs in the team's top four.

And of course, the incomparable duo of Getzlaf and Perry will return to power the Ducks' first line and create headaches for opponents on the man advantage. It remains to be seen who will join them on the top line and how the rest of coach Bruce Boudreau's line arrangements will shake out, with those two studs in place, generating offense is not a concern for Anaheim.

The bar has been raised for the Ducks in both the near-term and future. Even if the unpredictability of the postseason results in another disappointing exit this season, there's no need for Anaheim fans to demand a roster overhaul. General manager Bob Murray has done a masterful job of building a base of talent that should keep the Ducks' contention window open for several more years.

The Big Guns

Ryan Getzlaf, C (RotoWire Position Rank*: #9): Getzlaf capped off the regular season with the most goals (31) and the second-most points (87) of any season of his career, and displayed impressive resiliency after taking a puck to the face in the playoffs. While he suffered multiple injuries in the postseason, he looks to remain one of the league's top stars again in 2014-15. We're not sure he can notch another 30 goals this season, but we like him for around 85 or 90 points overall.

*RotoWire Position Ranks reflected for points-based leagues*

Corey Perry, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #1): Perry had another great offensive season in 2013-14, recording 43 goals and 39 assists in 81 games. That put him second in the NHL in goals and fifth in points. The addition of Ryan Kesler to the Ducks' lineup should create more opportunity for Mr. Perry -- opposing teams will need to figure out which of the Ducks' top lines to check, and it will probably shift from game to game. We could see another 90-point season from Perry if Kesler takes some of that focus -- Perry only needs a split-second to find a seam and score.

Cam Fowler, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #41): Last season was a long time coming for this talented puck mover. Sure, Fowler could produce offense, but he was as lost as a man with amnesia in his own bedroom when it came to his own zone. He delivered six goals and 30 assists last year, along with his first-career plus season (plus-15). Yes, he still sports a minus-42 rating over four seasons, but that number should decline as his game finally starts to grow. He should be a 40-point defender in 2014-15 and continue on the positive side of the ledger. That could make him a top-40 offensive fantasy defender who's no longer a liability to carry on your roster.

Frederik Andersen, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #26): This past season saw Andersen go from third-string goalie to the starter for the Ducks. Now with both Jonas Hiller and Viktor Fasth gone, Andersen will start the season in a timeshare with uber-prospect John Gibson that could extend through most of the season. Ultimately, Gibson may win the job as the top dog, but that probably won't come until 2015-16. Handcuff the two goalies together in daily leagues, but let someone else take the bait in weekly formats. Goalie platoons can destroy your categories in that situation, particularly if you make the wrong activation at the wrong time.

On the Rise

Sami Vatanen, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #65): Vatanen's second NHL season saw him substantially increase both his playing time and his productivity. But he still saw a lot of healthy scratches, particularly late in the season. Stephane Robidas has departed to Toronto, so those healthy scratches for Vatanen should decline. And he should get a shot at the point on the first power-play unit. This could be the start of something beautiful for his fantasy owners -- 35 points are within reach.

Hampus Lindholm, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #31): Lindholm had an electric rookie year, delivering 30 points and an amazing plus-29 rating. He was arguably the most reliable and impressive defender on the Ducks, let alone in the 2013-14 rookie class. Cripes, that plus-minus was the fourth-best for any defenseman in the NHL. He has 50-point upside, but will likely top out between 35 and 40 this season. And he'll be near the top of the defense class yet again. Wow.

Two to Watch

Dany Heatley, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #43): Heatley signed a one-year contract with the Ducks in July. While he's coming off of two straight slower couple years in terms of points and plus-minus rating, his experience could be key for Anaheim on the power play. There's a chance he'll even get the opportunity to fill the vacancy on the top line next to Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, an arrangement that could help him blow past his disappointing numbers with the Wild in 2013-14. However, his lead feet will become a liability as the season progresses.

Devante Smith-Pelly, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #72): Despite limited playing time, Smith-Pelly put up a personal best in points per game last season, then capped that off with five points in his first-ever playoff run. If he can stay healthy, Smith-Pelly could be a significant contributor for the Ducks this coming season, especially if he secures the port side of the second line beside new Duck Ryan Kesler. Just beware his advanced stats. He put up really poor possession numbers last year and if that continues, his production and his plus/minus rating will take a hit.

Don't Overrate

John Gibson, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #32): Gibson was brilliant in three regular-season games with the Ducks last season. He won all three starts, including one by shutout, and recorded a 1.33 GAA and .953 save percentage. He was then handed the reins in Game 4 of the Ducks' Western Conference semifinal with the Kings, promptly becoming the youngest goalie in NHL history to record a shutout in his playoff debut. He was ultimately pulled down 4-0 in Game 7 of that series, but by then, he had clearly established himself as the Ducks go-to stud of the near-future. Expect a platoon with Frederik Andersen to start the season, with Andersen probably getting slightly more starts based solely on experience. Gibson is a stud in the making, but the goalie gig likely won't belong exclusively to him until 2015-16.

Ryan Kesler, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #15): Kesler was traded to the Ducks in June for two players and a first-round draft pick. While his point totals and plus-minus rating has been down the last three years, Kesler brings with him veteran experience and a tenacious approach. And he will be a key part of Anaheim's game plan come next season, though he'll likely only get the opportunity to play with the team's top two offensive talents (Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry) on the power play. Still, 25 goals and 65 points are within reach if he can remain healthy.

Top Prospects

John Gibson, G (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #5): (see above)

Nicolas Kerdiles, LW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #27): After wrapping up his two-year career at the University of Wisconsin last season, Kerdiles, a former second-round draft choice by the Ducks in 2012, will enter his first season as a professional at AHL Norfolk. The 20-year-old was an offensive force for the Badgers as a sophomore, delivering 15 goals and 23 assists over 28 contests. Kerdiles remains blocked by the Ducks' wave of young forward talent already on the roster, but if he thrives at Norfolk right away, he could find himself on the team's short list of injury call-ups.

Kevin Roy, C (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #47): Roy, a 21-year-old forward from Quebec, has zoomed up prospects lists since the Ducks selected him in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He's set to begin his junior season at Northeastern University, after wreaking havoc in the Hockey East his first two years, averaging more than a point per game as a freshman and sophomore. With another strong campaign at the collegiate level, he could make the jump to the pro game.

Nick Ritchie, LW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #49): Ritchie, the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, is a big, nasty, skilled winger who is like a dog after a bone -- he never, ever gives up in his pursuit of the puck. And he'll go through a wall to get it. He hits, he scores and he scares the snot out of opposing defenders just like Milan Lucic does. And it's that combination that has scouts salivating. He has struggled through injuries in junior. And his weight is a bit of an issue (230 pounds). But he's a potential multi-category fantasy stud...as long as he's more Lucic than Nathan Horton.

Shea Theodore, D (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #57): Theodore, a first-round selection by the Ducks in 2013, may be the most offensively-gifted blueliners in the non-professional ranks. The 19-year-old tallied an astounding 22 goals and 57 assists in 70 games for the WHL"s Seattle Thunderbirds in 2013-14, making him a promising asset in dynasty formats. He still needs some further refinement in his own zone, but even if he never develops into a shutdown defender, his scoring ability would likely still make him an above-average fantasy option. Theodore will be sidelined for the start of the upcoming season due to an elbow sprain, but it shouldn't be long before he starts making an impact again for the Thunderbirds.