With the Final Game concluded with a Ducks OT Loss, It leaves many of us with Reflection of this year. Ducks began 2016 by overcoming adversity when they were ranked 29th in the League and by end of 15-16 Claimed a Fourth straight Pacific Division Title. However as Much as we celebrated Ducks Latest Perseverance...They fell short by losing a Game 7 for 4th Straight Year. It was tough, Demoralizing and Devastating many including myself hope it would not happen But it did. Others personally Feel Ducks lack Killer Instinct or accountability....One thing that many of us know well First Round Loss to Nashville in Game 7 was the Toughest to endure in recent History.Worst was Ducks not saluting Ducks Fans that have come to see them Play...I have mixed views on that...I believe they should've salute Ducks Fans it's a respect thing...Not doing it send a wrong message. On other Hand Ducks Not saluting was in part they felt they had the momentum but lack the effort to execute Winning Strategy and impose their will for 4th straight Year.
Loss result in many changes well few. Core Group of Getzlaf,Perry,Fowler,Kesler and few others remain. Surprising though Ducks did not choose to sign Perron,McGinn or Stewart....to Be Honest It would have been vital Ducks have kept Perron or McGinn Losing those 2 lead to many among Ducks Nation and the Fanbase to whether a Trade for a Left Winger is needed to spread out Offense and Spark it. Loss to Nashville was last Straw for the Ducks who via Bob Murray Fired Bruce Bouderau weeks after Ducks fail to Win a Game 7. I can't blame the team for doing what they did Accountability must be held and Coach was first to go.
Coaching vacancy left many to wonder who will succeed and be Ducks 9th Coach...names ranging from Former Duck Travis Green to Former Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle have many hoping and eager Ducks to hire a Coach to snap out of Playoff Funk and restore Honor to the Ducks Name. Ducks GM Bob Murray decided from what OCregister has stated as he talk to Getzlaf,Perry and Ducks Legend Teemu Selanne need to hold people accountable. It was Very Shocking let alone a Big Surprise Ducks Re-hire Randy Carlyle to succeed his Successor....This mark a First time Ducks have hired a Former Coach to lead the team back to Greatness. Ducks Fans including myself had mixed blessings having RC Back. Many critics of RC felt his Old School tactics and methods were out of touch for todays NHL, which is young Mans league and the need for speed is vital to winning a Game. Others felt a familar hand was needed to guide the Ducks in hoping to regain Honor lost during 4 years of Game 7 heartbreaks. Eitherway all of Ducks Fans including myself will tolerate it as did many changes that were polarizing.
Carlyle's return was not only change Ducks did to ensure a repeat of What happen last season happen before...However the arrival of Vegas to the NHL hung like a cloud of the Ducks Head...They know that keeping 2 Goalies they might have to protect one and lost another to Expansion Draft..Without a doubt Ducks Choose to Trade Frederick Andersen to Toronto for Picks. Leaving John Gibson Opportunity to Claim No1 Ducks Goaltender Spot. To Help him Develop Ducks AGAIN Trade for Johnathan Bernier from.........You guess it Toronto.
Reactions from Ducks fans were 50/50. Many few John Gibson was not Ready and should not been given the Ducks No1 Spot..Some feel Gibson SHOULD be the One traded in order to get a Player of value in return. Others see Gibson as Ready and able to assume the role and leave his mark for the Ducks. As I say before This season and his New Role is his to lose. Let's Forget Ducks Signing Antoninne Vermette and the Swedish Duo of Lindholm and Rakell's long dragging Contract talks. As follow here are the top 5 Moments Ducks had went through in 2016.
1.Bruce Bouderau Fired/Ducks Rehiring Randy Carlyle
2.Ducks Traded Fredrick Andersen to Toronto Maple Leafs for 1st Round Draft Picks
3.Ducks Sign Antonie Vermette to 2 year Deal.
4.John Gibson is given Chance Prove himself for 16-17 Season.
5.Ducks Won 4th Straight Pacific Division Title after Perservaing from disasterous first Half of NHL Season 15-16.
2017 will be symbolic year for our Ducks...it may be a year we see"meh" but it will mark 10 years ago Ducks Won the Stanley Cup....to me and to all 2017 will mark 10 years after we celeberate "The Year of the Duck". As we gather and look back and hope for the Future i say to you all from one Ducks Fan to another...HAPPY NEW YEAR AND GOD BLESS all...LET'S GO DUCKS!.
DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck
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