As Many of you have know this Offseason has been Different for our Anaheim Duck. We all expected and knew Ducks would Lose A player in Expansion Draft and Not have a First Round Draft Pick since 1999. Many of us wonder,Debated and asked How will the Ducks build from their Deep Push in Stanley Cup Playoffs since their loss to Nashville in NHL's Western Conference Final. Many saw Comparisons to 06 Mighty Ducks making it to the Stanley Cup Final Four and Win it all a Year later. Some feel a Trade would push us to the Top...Right now What we saw was some Changes that saw the Ducks let go a D-man via Buyout to Signing of Ryan Miller on July 1st. IF there is one thing that unites All Ducks Fans including yours Truly is to see our Team Win the Stanley Cup and Restore Honor,Glory and Prestige to the Ducks Cause.
Losing Clayton Stoner in Expansion Draft was no Brainier to many of us Ducks Fans including myself who saw his Contract obstacle in Re-signing Lindholm and Rakell during early part of 16-17 season. Losing Him would be Justified since it will free up Cap Room for the Ducks in near future. It mark First time in 17 Year the team will lose a Player or 2 in NHL Expansion Draft(Last one was in 200 Jeff Nielsen selected by Minnesota Wild and Prospect to CBJ).Losing Stoner would be no Loss to the Ducks Over growing Defence Corps.........few days before Exp Draft which was held at same time as NHL Awards were to begin Many within Ducks Fanbase here bout Trade involving Shea Theodore going to VGK. For some Ducks Fans it was sad yet Disappointing but others knew it was indeed justified due in part Ducks were wanted to Protect Josh Manson who's Stock and value was going up in Ducks Depth Charts. Regardless We all knew with Ducks overload of Talent on Defence Corps tough Decisions had to be made. By Trading Theodore to VGK Ducks would be protecting Vatanen{inj) and Manson. As it became official We knew it was for the best...IMHO I was disappointed the Ducks did not get Draft Pick in return....It would be best Compensation since the Ducks will be facing them in Pacific Division. Yet Ducks got nothing return besides VGK deciding not to pick Manson and Vatanen. Losing Both Theodore and Stoner as days and weeks go by was No Big Loss...yet disappointing as many understood in losing Theodore without Getting something return....however for the good of the Ducks Cause it was Justified if few ways.
Another Moment of Change for the Ducks was Free agent Frenzy...July1st maybe Canada Day but for me and other Ducks Fans living Canada we treated as any other Day for Loving the sport of Hockey and the team itself. When word of Nate Thompson and Johnathan Bernier testing Free Agency by making it official in Signing Elsewhere be it Ottawa and Colorado...Ducks Knew in Order for us to fill in spots open by Departure of Nate and Bernier signing some FA's would be vital in strengthen our Depth on 1.Lower Six Forwards and 2.Signing a Backup Goalie with experience to balance out Ducks Goaltending tandem and ensure IF Gibson is out with Injury the Backup would be there to pick up where he left off. Signing of Derek Grant,Steve Olesky,Mike Liambas and Scott Sabourin....Depth Signings that will strength Ducks Depth but also giving some of these players a spot to fill till some of the Ducks Regulars who were injured during the Ducks-Nashville Battles recover. The most important signing of them all was signing of Ryan Miller who took role of not only Backup Goalie but Mentorship of Ducks Number1 Goalie John Gibson.
Many know Miller's Strong Desire to be close to his Wife and Family in California due in part his wife is actress in Hollywood. Getting him for 2 years 4Mill. 2010 Veniza Award Winner,2 Time Olympian he can bring that needed experience to the Ducks Goaltending Depth. Also his Veteran presence can be a positive influence on Gibson who at 24 years of age will be entering 17-18 season as Starter once again. It could imho Help in Gibson's Development into a Full Fledge Goaltender and imho heir in perhaps breaking Ducks alltime Goaltending Records held by Ducks Legendary Goalie J-S Giguere.
Last but not least and many have waited for this since he Retire 3 years ago....Ducks Legend and Finnish Hockey Icon Teemu Selanne was Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame Toronto. It was something special for not just Anaheim Ducks but for all Ducks Fans worldwide from Orange County Califorina to Ducks Fans in Canada,USA,Finland,Sweden and beyond. What makes it more Positive was the fact Paul Kariya a Anaheim Ducks Great in his own Right was also elected to Hockey Hall of Fame as well. It mark for first time Ducks had 2 Players BOTH who spent most of their NHL Career with the Ducks in 24 year history and 6th and 7th Player to suit up for the Ducks to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Others being of course,Sergei Fedorov, Adam Oates,Scott Niedermayer, Jari Kurri and Chris Pronger....all of them including those Ducks Legends who made Big Impact contributed in advancing the Ducks Cause during 24 year History of our Unique Team.
As we enjoy the Summer and countdown to Ducks 25 NHL Season It's good to know this Summer has not only spark our Interest in our team but renew the Hope Ducks will be Hungry,Determine and Motivated to finish What they started. As for How our Ducks will look like come Training Camp aka Gathering of the Ducks...It will all come down to What Ducks will Look like when Puck Drop in October....For THEY SHALL BE UNLEASHED upon our Rivals and Enemies in NHL.
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