Player Review: Rickard Rakell

As part of the AnaheimDucks.com annual Player Reviews, we have been featuring a different Ducks player throughout the summer, in numerical uniform number order. Each review will include key stats, a highlight from last season and an outlook for 2016-17.

By Kyle Shohara AnaheimDucks.com

There were times last season when Rickard Rakell dazzled, and there were times when he dominated, giving Ducks fans a taste of what’s to come from their 23-year-old forward.

The Sundbyberg, Sweden native had his best season to date, establishing career highs in goals (20), assists (23), points (43) and games played (72), while shattering his previous-best nine-goal, 31-point season from two years ago. It was nothing short of a breakthrough season for Rakell, but a subsequent offseason with little news on contract talks has left fans wondering what’s in store for the budding star.

Currently a restricted free agent, Rakell is one of two key RFAs Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray is trying to lock down. The other is defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who is proving to be a cornerstone of this franchise.

Reports say both players’ respective parties have been in discussions with the Ducks throughout the offseason, and Rakell’s agent, Peter Wallen, recently said he’s confident a contract will be signed by his client.

“We are talking and I think we will find common ground for a solid agreement as I feel both parties seem to want that to happen very much,” said Wallen, in a story written by Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register on July 28.

Whether it’s a long-term …

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