The Ducks don't need to change a whole lot, since most of their NHL roster players are still signed for the 219/20 regular season, but their search for a Head Coach is priority #1 in this off season.
After reviewing this roster, I've found that Defense was the area that needed some help. The Ducks need to add a top 4 right-handed D to really balance out their blue line. To help their defense even further, I've projected the Ducks landing Bowen Byram as their 1st round selection in 2019, who will begin his season with 5 to 9 games played for the Ducks, but likely gets the remaining minutes in the minors (AHL or Juniors, pending development), to help keep him expansion draft protected.
Another note is how tight the Ducks will be to the Salary Cap this coming season. With hefty contracts from Getzlaf, Perry, Fowler, and Kelser, the team has very little cap space to work on any future deals moving forward. I'm also estimating what the increased salary cap will be in 2019/20 with a $82,000,000 cap, but this isn't confirmed yet, and might be higher or lower from my estimate. A problem that comes with this situation is not being able to sign some of their expiring reserve list players as well. It would be wise for ANA to package some of them in deals to other teams for future considerations or picks (pending the player value matching a team's needs).
Some good news comes to Maxime Comtois who will finally get to play a full NHL regular season under his belt in 2019/20. I don't project his minutes landing with the top line in ANA, but I expect him to contribute to 2nd line minutes and power play minutes combined.
The team presented here isn't a cup contender, and isn't in a rebuild year either. They're looking more like a potential Pacific wildcard team that could do some damage in the playoffs, or landing in the bottom 16 teams with a few draft picks to help trigger a potential rebuild. I believe with the right Head Coach, this team's performance could dramatically change for the good, but if the job is given to the wrong guy, expect a rebuild in July of 2020.
If you like this projection and description of how the future of the Anaheim Ducks could look like moving forward in the 2019/20 season, let me know in the replies below and rate this post please. If there's enough interest from people I'd consider doing a similar in depth projection in the 2019/20 season for other teams upon request, thanks.
Quick! Edit the Winnipeg Jets paste error! And add Troy Terry!
Done, had to save and go, then came back to it after, thanks.
Quoting: Jah1722
Probly should know at least something about the ducks if you’re gonna post a projection for next season.
Honestly, the team's forwards are all signed for 2019/20 regular season already, and only 4 of 6 D were locked in, leaving very little changes to make. I really believe the big improvement for this team comes from a good fit Head Coach, and adjusted ice time on players performing well. The cap situation the Ducks have isn't ideal, so the team is limited on how to adjust its roster.
Done, had to save and go, then came back to it after, thanks.
Honestly, the team's forwards are all signed for 2019/20 regular season already, and only 4 of 6 D were locked in, leaving very little changes to make. I really believe the big improvement for this team comes from a good fit Head Coach, and adjusted ice time on players performing well. The cap situation the Ducks have isn't ideal, so the team is limited on how to adjust its roster.
Kesler is most likely done for his career. He wanted 1000 games and he hit that make I dont see him making a return next season. Most likely going on LTIR for the rest of his career. This will open up a spot for Sam Steel next year as well.
Signing Tyler Myers would be a mistake. Fowler has been playing the right side for a little bit now and has done well. Larsson will be better next year and we also have Welinksi and Guhle who both look promising for next year.
Miller will come back for one more season and then Boyle will come up and take over the back up role.
Also, Max Jones will be on the NHL roster next season.