The Anaheim Ducks will lace ’em up tonight for the 15th game of the season against longtime foe the Nashville Predators. While most, if not all, of the names that laid the foundations of the animosity between the teams are long gone, this is still a game that fans of both organizations expect to win regardless of circumstances. But as I mentioned earlier, there have been a lot of changes on both ends of this lesser heralded rivalry, so longtime On The Forecheck (@OnTheForecheck) contributor Bryan Bastin (@BryanBastin) and I decided to ask each other a few questions and try and get a better handle on where each team is at this season, as well which players could make an impact tonight for their respective squads. Let’s get into it.
Their Nashville Predators [CROWD BOOS]
The Nashville Predators enter the game at 5-9-0 (10 points) and currently sit last in the Central Division and 29th overall. They are 4-6-0 in their last 10 games, which includes their 1-5-0 record in their last six games. The Predators are 3-3-0 at home this season, and are currently trying to shake off a three-game losing streak.
Rusty: So, Juuse Saros has a sub-0.900 save % right now, is he actually that bad or is he just kinda taking a gap year and figuring out what he wants in life?
Bryan: Historically, Juuse Saros has had a slow start to seasons, but he appeared to fix that issue last season. However, this season hasn’t been great for him – he’s started all but two games so far, and he’s playing behind basically a brand-new team. Still, Saros usually excels in PK goaltending and controlling rebounds, and both have been an issue early in the season. I’m not pushing the panic button unless his next ten starts go the same way.
Rusty: Speaking of gap years, this team has a cache of established stars at the top of the lineup, a weird mushy middle, and then a few higher profile prospects like Tanner Molendyk, Joakim Kemmell, Kalan Lind, and of course Yaroslav Askarov. The Predators also have about $30 million in projected cap space next summer. So, how far away from playing meaningful games in February is this team? Especially with the rumors around Askarov at the draft this past summer – is Barry Trotz is going to take the patient route with this or will he weaponize the assets and cap space and get something meaningful out of the rest of Saros’ prime with Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Cole Smith (heh), and Ryan O’Reilly core such as it is?
Bryan: Before the season, I predicted this team wouldn’t be a playoff team and I’m not convinced yet to change my mind. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing! This team is rebuilding, finally, but there have been flashes of great things we’ve seen already – they just haven’t been able to pull it together for a complete game very often. If someone like Juuse Saros or Yaroslav Askarov gets moved at the deadline, it won’t be to immediately compete – this team just isn’t there yet – but it will be to acquire future assets. The other issues are the fifteen free agents that will need to be dealt with this summer, plus, they’ll be paying $11.8 million in retained salaries and buyouts next season. And there’s always the looming specter of Shea Weber’s cap recapture if he decides to retire. So the future isn’t really certain by any means, and honestly, next offseason is not the time to try and make contender-like moves.
Rusty: Who exactly should Anaheim fans be keeping an eye out for in this game? Is there any player in particular that is either off to a surprising, but welcomed start, or someone who maybe had the potential to matter and it’s finally all starting to click?
Bryan: With Tommy Novak going on IR for 4-6 weeks (which sucks), the burden will be on Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly as they are two of the only other forwards having a major impact this season. But Forsberg has awakened starting right before the road trip – despite the team going 1-4-0 on the trip, Forsberg has 5 goals and 12 points in the last six games, getting at least point in five of six, including two goals each in the last two games.
Rusty: This is the battle of the first year coaches! How is the post-Hynes era going so far? Andrew Brunette was obviously someone a lot of fanbases, including Anaheim’s, were really keen on this summer. Has his hiring managed to go as well as can be expected to this point?
Bryan: I personally think so. The Predators are playing completely different hockey, and despite not getting the results they want in terms of the final outcome, they’re doing a lot of the little things right. Gone are the days of the shot map being full of shots from the blue line and avoiding the slot like lava – Brunette has focused on making sure the team is getting to the high-danger areas, but they’re shooting well-below what their shot quality should show – and it should get better eventually. Despite the growing pains, a new coaching staff, half of the team being new and more, Brunette has done an excellent job in my opinion and I’m very happy with the hire.
Your Anaheim Ducks [CROWD CHEERS]
Anaheim enters the contest at 8-6-0 (16 points), good for 4th in the Pacific Division and 14th overall. The Ducks are coming off a 4-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, which broke a two-game losing streak that included losses to Pittsburgh (2-0) and Philadelphia (6-3).
Bryan: Trevor Zegras was the biggest story (or at least one of them) this offseason for Anaheim. What do Ducks fans think of the deal, and has he lived up to it? Same with Jamie Drysdale
Rusty: So first things first, Drysdale is injured and they are super slow playing his recovery it seems. There hasn’t been much communication about it at all, understandably to the chagrin of a large portion of the fanbase, but he looked ok in the two games he did play so there’s that I guess? As far as Trevor Zegras is concerned, I think the main storyline so far has been his lack of production. What’s interesting is… Anaheim fans so far as I can tell at least, don’t seem to be all that concerned at the moment because he’s playing so well defensively. All of the talk about him and his contract this summer was about how he was going to fit into this new world order that Cronin and Verbeek are trying to establish and to this point he’s been absolutely bought in. By xGAR (expected goals above replacement – via Evolving Hockey) he’s been the teams best defensive player and that was not a thing anyone expected heading into the season. Obviously offense is his calling card and both the fanbase and the organization are going to want to see those numbers start showing up, but for now everyone is so impressed with how much stronger his game a a whole has been that the lack of production is a bit of a non issue. How long that lasts, well, that’s a very good question.
Bryan: Leo Carlsson is having one hell of a season, he appears to be a true Calder candidate. What about his game is making him so good so fast?
Rusty: He’s just so calm. He’s a big kid already, very developed physically, and he’s got a ton of skill that maybe some fans didn’t expect to see be such a big part of his game so quickly. But more than anything I think its just how poised he is with and without the puck. I mean look, not at all appealing to authority about it but when Sidney Crosby says you show a remarkable level of poise for your age and experience level, that’s something you have to take to heart. He’s big and strong and skilled and smart. But more than anything, he’s shown a level of confidence that has made him one of the most impactful players on the team from the moment he made the roster.
Bryan: Who is your under-the-radar player for Anaheim that you think will be a big factor tonight?
Rusty: I think it has to be Jackson LaCombe. Mintyukov is the new kid on the back end thats getting all the love this season, and deservedly so, but Jackson laCombe has managed to play himself up from the third pair to the in name only top pair alongside veteran defenseman Cam Fowler in less than 15 games. Remarkable. He’s a strong skater with a good stick and solid instincts. His game isn’t the most flashy but he looks to be the kind of capable two-way player that great defensive units are built on. He’s kind of looking like he can be the team’s over-qualified nickelback that creates matchup nightmares for opposing coaching staffs.
Bryan: Anaheim is one of just three teams with more cap room than Nashville – do you think there are plans to utilize that room this season? If not, do you think they have big targets for the offseason?
Rusty: It’s funny you bring this up. I saw that Nashville was right ahead of the Ducks in cap hit last night by less than half a million and I was pretty surprised. I think as we get closer to the deadline and teams start to get both more realistic about who they are and what they need we can see Anaheim step in to take some contracts on from teams who need a little help gearing up for a playoff run. As far as this summer is concerned, I hope that after two summers of adding nine and ten million dollars in AAV that Pat Verbeek will allow the team to develop and not feel the need to add more veteran pieces in free agency.
Bryan: How do YOU like your new coach?
Rusty: I love the guy man, I really do. I was one of, if not the only, remaining Eakins appreciators left in Anaheim after last season but the time had clearly come to make a change and Verbeek went ahead and did just that. So far the results are fairly overwhelming in terms of his impact, regardless of how much I do think that personnel and talent is a significant factor in the team’s turnaround. As the year goes on and as Verbeek (hopefully) continues to make changes to the roster via trades, waivers, and call-ups, I will be curious to see how Cronin handles the lineup. But if nothing else, the mood and energy around this team have made a complete recovery from where they were last season and you have to give him credit for that. Also, he’s got the thickest Boston accent in the world and it makes his media availabilities just that much more entertaining.
How To Watch
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Hulu, with the radio call will be available on Ducks Stream via the TuneIn app. Puck drop is at 5:00 PM PST.