You Could Win Something Awesome!
by Daniel AC on Aug 17, 2011 9:25 PM PDT
in Enhance Your Experience
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PrintDANIEL:
No, seriously, you could. The Hockey News does an annual slow preview where they reveal day-by-day where they believe each team will finish in the conferences, starting at the bottom and revealing one team at a time, starting at the bottom. At Anaheim Calling, we've decided to hold a contest for the person who makes the most accurate prediction. You can find The Hockey News' list here, and the rules for the game after the jump.
So here's how it works: In the comment section write what place you think The Hockey News will put the Ducks in their list and give a brief explanation as to why. The explanation should be in the small paragraph format that they use in their list. The person who gets the right place, and whose analysis is the closest to that of The Hockey News WINS!
What do you win? 1,000 Words on Anaheim Calling covering any topic you want. Obviously, the staff can compete, but they can't win. If there is a tie, we'll split up the word limit. For example, if 2 people win, we'll give you 750 words. If it's 3 people maybe 500 words a piece. If there are several winners, the AC staff will determine the three winners.
Your post will not be subjected to editing [Editrix Note: unless you say something that could get us sued - JN], other than grammar and language. There will also be a disclaimer appearing before your post letting everyone know you are not a member of the staff, and are a contest winner. If there are 3 or more winners, your posts will be grouped into a single post in order to save publication space. Should this occur, no one will get above the jump privileges.
This is meant to be fun folks, so have a good time. Again, if you win your post can be about whatever you want [Editrix Note: within reason - JN].
Best of luck from the AC staff.
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Im guessing 8th. Why? Cause its Teemu’s number and I want him to come back already. Thats it. Not because some teams are better or worse this year. Not because of depth at a this or that position. I just want Teemu back for one year and so that is why I am going with 8th. Robby feel free to guess 9th. Its all yours.
by Newport Rebel on Aug 17, 2011 9:40 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Sixth
While the Ducks played over their heads down the stretch last year, they still have the best line in hockey. And while there are questions about Selanne and Hiller, early signs suggest that both players will be back and in playing shape for the Ducks. After nearly a full year of seasoning for rookies like McMilan, Sbisa, and Fowler, the Ducks should have a more rounded-out roster this year but questions on the back-end will prevent them from finishing in the top 4 again.
by PhantomPretender on Aug 17, 2011 9:47 PM PDT reply actions
7th
I see the Ducks finishing 3rd in the Pacific Division. That leaves them at highest at 5th place. Factor in Chicago getting stronger as well as other Western rivals and we might see a dipping in points as well as rising point totals for other rivals such as Nashville and Chicago. The defense should be more stable out of the gate and the top two lines should continue to produce at or around their norm. Depth questions are still glaring and only time will answer them.
7th as well
You’re looking at a team that overachieved last season and didn’t add much for this season. A lot of their success will depend on the health of Hiller and the X-factor of a speedy sniper in Selanne. While GM Bob Murray was able to some offensive depth in Cogliano, it’s difficult to expect this team to improve upon their miracle season last year. On the blueline, the Ducks will be starting the year without the services of a vastly underrated workhorse in Toni Lydman. If that wasn’t enough cause for concern for the beginning of a regularly slow-starting team, chemistry will be a major hindrance for this club on the back end without the services of a dominant top pairing.
The pros? Mcmillan and Fowler both had fantastic rookie campaigns and the expectation is for both of these kids to at least maintain their momentum going into this season. Beauchemin had a strong playoff in their brief series with Nashville and it appears his workload may increase next season. Perry might not be able to repeat his Hart Trophy winning season, but it should be expected that he will provide plenty scoring for and already offensively-minded Ducks squad.
I got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell
10th
Although the Ducks finished 4th in Western Conference last season, they could have just as easily missed the playoffs completely. Youngsters Cam Fowler and Luca Sbisa will continue to grow on the blueline, however we’re not sure Corey Perry and Lubomir Visnovsky can repeat the career numbers that they put up last season. Also, goalie Jonas Hiller’s health is still in question and Teemu Selanne’s future is still unknown. Despite adding Andrew Cogliano, for added offensive depth, the Ducks largely stood pat while the teams around them got better.
We need more Boyntons.
Fire Carlye & Murray!
9th
The lack of defensive depth (reliance on youngsters like Sbisa and Fowler), the lack of forward depth (we have no checkers), and the fact that Teemu Selanne might not return. We’re putting a big focus on Teemu, a man who may or may not play and who is older than two Cam Fowlers. The only reason they list us this high is for our top end talent being truly top-end talent.
You know, I thought more people would be into this. I’ll go to be fun
8th: After the top line, the Ducks forward group is all question marks starting with whether or not Selanne will retire. There’s little depth and no defensive presence in the forward group. The blue line will be relying heavily on Fowler to avoid a sophomore slump and the continued development of Luca Sbisa. If Visnovsky has any drop off it could be a major blow to blue line production. Hiller is healthy now and if he can make it through most of the season, he and the top line are good enough to sneak the Ducks into the playoffs.
7th. They will preface any analysis with the fact that they are assuming that Teemu comes back, however the bottom six forwards are still a question mark as the Ducks only managed to trade for Cogliano and Foster as their two big NHL club moves in a very quiet offseason. Cogliano is unlikely to be the defensive answer at 3rd line center that the team needs to win faceoffs especially with the retirement of gritty and all around heart-on-his sleeve guy Todd Marchant. With it being unlikely that the Ducks will make any more moves at this point this opens the possibility that some of the young Ducklings will be able to crack the roster during training camp. Notably DSP and Kyle Palmieri both had great seasons with their respective clubs last season, with Palmieri getting a taste of coffee with the big club. Another possibility is Southern California’s own Emerson Etem, the lightning fast winger who could conceivably replace the speed of Teemu when and if the ageless wonder decides to retire. Dan Sexton, McMillan, Bonino and Beleskey also look to certify their spots at the top level. Cam Fowler hopes to come back with a strong sophmore season after struggling a bit defensively, especially towards the later half of the season. The last remaining question is in net, Hiller has been working out in Switzerland and recently stated that he feels fine and is looking towards playing the all-star game again. Hiller suffered from vertigo last season and the team relied on Emery in the playoffs, who has since left for Chicago. With the question marks in net and the Ducks lack of forward depth the race in the Pacific division will not be any easier for them. With the improvements that both San Jose made (making the possibility of obtaining points against them even harder) and Chicago made over the offseason the Ducks probably won’t be so lucky to finish 4th again, they finish 3rd in the pacific division, 7th in the conference, one spot ahead of the St. Louis Blues.
6th
Why? The Ducks have learned to live with the uncertainty of their big name free agents pondering retirement. This offseason a questionmark surrounding All Star goalie Jonas Hiller is added to the mix of off-season uncertainties. Current indications are that Hiller will be back and the young guns of Cam Fowler, Luca Sbisa and Kyle Palmieri will take their next step forward. A lot will depend on how the power line can be supported by secondary scoring, especially if Selanne hangs’em up and on Hiller’s health, but this roster is experienced and strong enough to make it to sixth.
Hmmm...
I’m going to say 1st just because I’m an optimist. And I want to win (unlikely though).
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
7th
After winning the last year logjam in the Western Conference, the Ducks may be short to reach again the 4th place. Selanne and Perry can only decrease in their performance after a career year even, if it could be the turn of Ryan Getzlaf for a career year, and the team is lacking of depth in offensive lines. The blueline either may not be as solid as last year, with the youngsters still growing up. The major concern of Anaheim is Jonas Hiller. Will he suffer again from vertigo or will he get back to the all-star game ?
8th - bubble team
They haven’t necessarily gotten better, and although they did finis 4th in the West – they were 4 points (2 losses) from missing the playoffs entirely. The third line is still a questions mark, as is their D. They’re expecting the young kids on D to mature, and get better, and hoping (praying) that Selanne returns. Even with a healthy Hiller, they still need more than the big line to compete in the deep West, and especially the deep Pacific Division. With a healthy Selanne and Hiller, and Sbisa and Fowler getting better, watch out. Top 4 is not out of the question. A mid season trade to shore up the 3rd line (or another kid or two stepping up) and good things can happen.
Looks like we're a playoff team
THN published #9 today. I don’t see them ranking St. Louis ahead of us so it seems like 7 or higher is definitely within reach.
by PhantomPretender on Aug 23, 2011 11:02 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Sixth it is
All in all, a pretty glowing review of the Ducks’ chances going into the season. I can’t say I disagree with any of it.
by PhantomPretender on Aug 26, 2011 8:34 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Their analysis seemed just a tad less bleak than yankeeken’s :p
I got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell
Bah! Humbug!
Although I’m a bit surprised by the cheery Ducks outlook, I’m even more shocked by Tampa Bay also being placed as 6th.
I fail to see how the Sabers are better than the Lightning. And although Boston just won the cup, I don’t see them doing much this season. Pittsburgh, Washington & Philly (although even Philly is a bit of a question mark after purging their entire team) are the only 3 that I really see above Tampa. Anyway that is just my crazy 2 cents.
We need more Boyntons.
Fire Carlye & Murray!
Absolutely agree about Tampa. But the Ducks in 10th? Bahumbug indeed :p
I got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell
They placed the Ducks at 11th last season and since we have practically the same team as last year, I didn’t expect them to place us in the playoffs.
We need more Boyntons.
Fire Carlye & Murray!
Robby is DQ’ed since he writes for the site. Dennis, email me and we’ll work on getting a post up on the site for ya.
I would have put us 7th or 8th. Very much a bubble team.
"I'm not a lady. I'm a DUCK!" - Connie Moreau, D2: Mighty Ducks
Managing Editor - Anaheim Calling
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