Anaheim Ducks injury update: Corey Perry out five months

The Anaheim Ducks injury woes have carried over to this season, as Corey Perry will miss about five months due to a knee injury. 

Last season, the Anaheim Ducks had to overcome numerous injuries in order to make the postseason. They’ll be tested immediately this season, as the team has announced that forward Corey Perry will miss about five months after undergoing surgery to fix issues with his meniscus and MCL. These issues were with his right knee.

In 2017-18, Perry put up 49 points, his lowest total in a full season since the 2006-07 season. Even though he had a bad year by his standards, he finished third on the Ducks in points and assists, as well as fourth in goals.

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Perry was expected to fill a top-six role for Anaheim. Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg have passed him on the depth chart to boot him off the Ducks’ top line, which he had been on for most of his career.

The Kase For Ondrej

Without Perry, the Ducks will most likely turn to young forward Ondrej Kase. Anaheim was struggling to get him more playing time, but he’s been extremely impressive in a limited sample size. Kase, a seventh-round pick of the Ducks back in 2014, surprised everyone by earning a regular spot in their lineup in his second season.

Despite only playing in 66 games last season, Kase actually scored more goals (20) than Perry (17). He should be ready to take over a second line role with the Ducks. It remains to be seen who his center will be, but it will most likely be either Adam Henrique or Ryan Kesler, who is reportedly pushing to play in the season opener.

How This Affects The Ducks

Thanks to Kase, the loss of Perry isn’t as huge as one might think. But it’s still a sizable loss for a team that was already a bit thin as far as forward depth. Perry might be declining, but he’s still one of the Ducks better forwards.

Troy Terry‘s spot on the roster is all but a sure thing. He had been getting a lot of practice with the top forward line of Rakell and Ryan Getzlaf, but now there’s definitely a spot available on the roster for him.

Perry’s five-month timetable suggests he’ll be back around mid to late February. He’s been remarkably durable during his career despite being a rather physical forward. It won’t be easy for the Ducks to make up for the loss of him.