Future of the Franchise: When is 'too early' to panic?

Sweden

William Karlsson, HV71, 1st line Center

Of the three Ducks prospects who went to the World Junior Championships, Karlsson seems to have had the most impact on his clubs since returning. In the five games since coming back from Russia, Karlsson has earned points in four of those games. His overall stats since returning: 5 GP, 6 A, even rating and 2 PIMs, which includes a three assist performance in a 6-2 win over Brynäs IF.

Past two weeks: 4 GP, 0 G, 3 A, even rating

Season total: 36 GP, 3 G, 19 A, plus-13 rating, 8 PIMs

Max Friberg, Timrå IK, 4th line Left Winger

When is it too early to panic? After flying through the first portion of the season scoring six goals and accumulating 12 points, Friberg has been ice cold lately. When was the last time he registered a point? Dec. 1 against Luleå. That's 12 straight scoreless games for the scrappy left winger. His drought has led Head Coach Tomas Montén to drop him from the first line to the fourth line.

Past two weeks: 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, even rating

Season total: 41 GP, 6 G, 6 A, minus-11 rating, 10 PIMs

Tim Heed, VIK Västerås HK, 2nd pair Right Defense

Since his demotion to the Allsvenskan league, Heed has returned to the form that made him a Ducks fifth round pick. His early season play with Växjö was rough, but in 20 games thus far with Västerås, he is 11th on the team in scoring and third among defensemen. He did hit one rough patch earning a minus-2 rating in a game against Örebro HK. He was then scratched for the next game against Karlskrona HK.

Past two weeks: 5 GP, 1 G, 1 A, even rating

Season total (Allsvenskan): 20 GP, 5 G, 3 A, 8 PIMs

CHL

Joseph Cramarossa, Belleville Bulls (OHL), 3rd line Center

On Jan.11, Cramarossa had his best game ever as an OHL player, scoring a hattrick and adding two assists in an 8-2 win over Kingston. He currently ranks fifth on the Bulls scoring and is coming around this season with his offensive play.

Past two weeks: 4 GP, 3 G, 3 A, plus-5 rating

Season total: 43 GP, 11 G, 17 A, plus-1 rating, 53 PIMs

Andrew O'Brien, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL), 1st pair Left Defense

O'Brien is still utilizing his bruising style of play, something that has helped the Huskies to a sixth place ranking in the QMJHL. Lately he's managed to shoot the puck more and has cut down his penalty minutes (second on the team).

Past two weeks: 5 GP, 0 G, 1 A, even rating, 2 PIMs, 12 hits

Season total: 45 GP, 2 G, 13 A, plus-12 rating, 81 PIM's

Kenton Helgesen, Calgary Hitmen (WHL), 3rd pair Left Defense

Helgesen has played a variety of different roles with Calgary this year, ranging from fourth-line center, to left wing, to his natural position on defense. His offensive numbers are starting to add up, and so are his plus/minus ratings, which prove he's more responsible in his own zone. His contributions have helped Calgary stay close to the East-leading Edmonton Oil Kings. Oh, and he's still fighting.

Past two weeks: 5 GP, 0 G, 1 A, plus-4 rating

Season total: 45 GP, 0 G, 9 A, plus-6 rating, 87 PIMs

NCAA

Nic Kerdiles (FR), University of Wisconsin, 2nd line Left Winger

Since Kerdiles returned from his suspension to play Denver on Nov. 30, the Badgers were on some kind of streak. In 11 straight games, they were unbeaten, accumulating a record of 8-0-3, before losing 2-1 to Miami (Ohio) this past Saturday. Nonetheless, Wisconsin is better with Kerdiles in the lineup (1-7-2 without him).

Past two weeks: 4 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 10 shots, minus-1 rating

Season total: 12 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 23 PIMs

Kevin Roy (FR), Northeastern University, 2nd line Left Winger

Roy has continued his incredible Freshman campaign by making the preliminary list for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award (along with teammate and 2012 Ducks Conditioning Camp Invitee, Ludwig Karlsson). Apart from a 9-3 loss to in-state rival Boston College, Roy has continued to put up great shot and point numbers.

Past two weeks: 3 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 18 shots, even rating, 6 PIMs

Season total: 20 GP, 10 G, 13 A, 18 PIMs

Andy Welinski (FR), University of Minnesota-Duluth, 1st pair Right Defense

Welinski, is putting up absolutely stellar numbers with the UMD Bulldogs, but his plus/minus shows he has some work to do in his own zone. Tied for second in WCHA rookie scoring for a defenseman, Welinski appears to be the rare power play quarterback with a right-handed shot. In 24 games overall, UMD is 10-11-3.

Past two weeks: 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 11 shots, minus-5 rating

Season total: 24 GP, 2 G (both on power play), 9 A, 8 PIMs

Kevin Lind (JR), University of Notre Dame, 2nd pair Left Defense

Lind is a stalwart for a slumping Notre Dame. Once ranked No. 2 in the nation, UND has slipped to No. 7 due to a 1-4 record in their past five.

Past two weeks: 5 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 3 shots, minus-3 rating

Season total: 23 GP, 1G, 3 assists, 25 penalty minutes

[Ed. Note: As far as we know, Lind does not have an invisible girlfriend. - JN]

Josh Manson (SO), Northeastern University, 1st pair Right Defense

Manson has been a solid, defensive-defenseman for Northeastern. He has played and started all games this year on right defense.

Past two weeks: 3 GP, 3 shots, minus-1 rating

Season total: 19 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 25 PIMs

Nick Pryor (SR), University of Maine, 1st pair Right Defense - 4th line Center

For the time being, Pryor is nursing a concussion that he sustained Jan. 5. in a 5-2 loss to Mercyhurst. Prior to the injury, the oldest Ducks college prospect has spent time on right defense or as a fourth line center for the Black Bears.

Past two weeks: 0 GP

Season total: 17 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 4 PIMs

Jaycob Megna (SO), University of Nebraska-Omaha, 1st pair Left Defense

Megna has proven to be a solid and aggressive force on the UNO defense. Standing at a hulking 6'6", Megna has only earned 14 penalty minutes this season. Lately, he's been getting shots on net at an alarming rate, which is always a good sign.

Past two weeks: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 8 shots, plus-2 rating

Season total: 23 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 14 PIMs

Brian Cooper (FR), University of Nebraska-Omaha, 2nd pair Left Defense

The other Ducks prospect who played on UNO's defense started the season out poorly, but has picked it up as of late. Although his plus/minus ratings have been bad, the ex-USHL star is beginning to assume his responsibilities as an NCAA defenseman.

Past two weeks: 2 GP, 3 shots, minus-2 rating

Season total: 18 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 35 PIMs

Goaltenders

John Gibson, Kitchener Rangers (OHL), 1st string Goaltender

With the trade of Franky Palazzese to Sudbury, the Rangers have rewarded John Gibson with the undisputed No. 1 goaltender spot. The reigning WJC Most Valuable Player has seemingly gotten off to a rough start since returning from Ducks Training Camp.

Past two weeks: 3 GP, 2-1 record, 2.92 GAA, 0.916 SV%

Season total: 23 GP, 15-8 record, 2.41 GAA, 0.927 SV%