Derek's Midseason Awards: Imagine How Good He'd Be If He Had Hair

Most Valuable Duck: Ryan Getzlaf. This season is shaping up to be the best one he's ever had, and it is not just about the points. He is doing all of the things that he has done at different times throughout his career, only now he is doing all of them at the same time. He's shooting and scoring. He's passing. He's skating with the puck. He's skating without the puck. He's cycling down low. He's crushing people with his body. He's backchecking as hard as anyone on the team. Most of all, he's forcing his team to win hockey games.

Runner Up: Francois Beauchemin. Significant contributor in the offensive zone. Absolute monster in the defensive zone.

Least Valuable Duck: Brad Staubitz. I tried really hard to find someone else, and while I did come up with a couple of names that have not helped the Ducks win a hockey game yet, I could not find anyone else that has helped them lose a game. Specifically this one. Related to that, he's tied with Corey Perry for the team lead in penalty minutes. And he's played exactly eight games.

Runner Up: Devante Smith-Pelly. Yes, he actually has played five games with the bug club this year. If you don't remember that, well, maybe that's why his name is here.

Biggest Surprise: Bob Murray. Since the curtain fell on the debacle that was the 2011-12 season, the GM has done no wrong. Free agent pickups Viktor Fasth, Sheldon Souray, and Daniel Winnik have been three of the Ducks' most consistent players, and Bryan Allen seems to have regained form after a sloppy start.

Runner Up: Andrew Cogliano. The guy just has a knack for scoring a goal or three when his team needs it most.

Biggest Disappointment: Cam Fowler's offensive game. It's not that he has been playing poorly and costing his team — he hasn't — it's just that big things are expected from this kid. Watching him skate and handle the puck, I can't help but think he will have a breakout season and join the NHL's cadre of elite scoring blueliners. But in sixteen games this year, he has a grand total of two points, both assists.

Runner Up: The fact that Teemu Selanne is not going to reach 700 goals no matter how many more seasons he plays unless Bruce Boudreau can find him some better linemates.

140 Character Prediction for the Second Half: The Duck will hold onto Corey Perry, hit a rough patch that lasts a week or two, and recover to open the playoffs at home. They will win at least four games in May.