Anaheim Ducks: John Gibson can lead the team to the Stanley Cup
Strengths
The Ducks will be relying heavily on their strengths this season. Let’s take a look at what they are.
Goaltending
In 2017-18, the Anaheim Ducks were tied with the Nashville Predators for the highest team save percentage (.923). Gibson will be their starting goaltender. He should have been a Vezina Trophy finalist and he had a darn good case for the Hart Trophy too. According to Corsica, Gibson’s GSAA (goals saved above average) of 32.51 during all situations trailed only Sergei Bobrovsky.
Ryan Miller had an outstanding season as well. He had arguably his second-best season at the age of 37. Miller enters the 2018-19 season as a 38-year-old, which is a bit concerning. That said, as long as the Ducks can keep him in a backup role, he should be fine even if he regresses a bit.
More. Lindholm Among NHL's Most Underrated. light
Top Four
Every champion needs an identity and the Anaheim Ducks’ identity is their defense. They allowed just 216 goals last season (fourth-fewest in the NHL). Hampus Lindholm is one of the best all-around defensemen in the NHL. Josh Manson and Lindholm were a borderline elite defensive pairing last season. Both are in their respective primes, so expect them to continue their outstanding work.
Cam Fowler and Brandon Montour were impressive last season, especially down the stretch. General manager Bob Murray was wise to get rid of Bieksa because, for some odd reason, he got a lot of playing time with Fowler (and probably shouldn’t have judging by the results).