NHL Power Rankings: St. Louis Blues start 2019-20 season on top

25. Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have been a model of consistency since the 2012-13 lockout, making the Stanley Cup Playoffs each season until last year. They kept on going for it and now, they can’t do that anymore. It’s time for the Ducks to rebuild and they’ve got a fairly promising group of young players.

Unfortunately, these young players probably aren’t ready for huge roles. This season is going to be more about the development of those young guys than winning games. It will be about finding the guys who will receive the torch from Ryan Getzlaf, who’s been one heck of a leader for them during his career.

Getzlaf’s best days are likely behind him. He can still be a productive player, but the days of being able to pencil him in for 60 points a season while facing tough competition are probably over. It’ll be up to guys like Ondrej Kase, Rickard Rakell, Sam Steel, Troy Terry, and Maxime Comtois to step up.

All of that said, the Ducks have a faint chance of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs thanks to their goaltending. Forget what NHL Network thinks, John Gibson is the best freaking goaltender in the world. Frankly, I don’t think it’s particularly close either. Gibson has some durability concerns, but when he’s on the ice, he’s nothing short of terrific. Backup Ryan Miller isn’t too shabby either.

I’m excited to watch the Ducks this season. I can’t wait to see head coach Dallas Eakins get a second chance after rebuilding his reputation as a development guru. But unless Gibson and Miller can consistently steal games for them, the Ducks likely aren’t a playoff team. At least they’re finally getting younger, though.