NHL.com 30 in 30: Reasons for Optimism, Questions Facing Ducks

By Abbey Mastracco NHL.com Correspondent

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 30 teams throughout August. Today, the biggest reasons for optimism and the biggest questions facing the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks were one win from reaching the 2015 Stanley Cup Final before falling well short of expectations last season, when they were eliminated in the Western Conference First Round. General manager Bob Murray doesn’t want to see more regression.

Anaheim got off to a poor start last season, particularly captain Ryan Getzlaf, who scored two goals in his first 30 games. With Randy Carlyle back as coach after Bruce Boudreau was fired following another Game 7 at home, the Ducks are hoping to recapture the magic of their Stanley Cup championship season a decade ago.

Here are four reasons for optimism entering this season:

1. Depth on defense The Ducks are loaded on the blue line. Although restricted free agent Hampus Lindholm hasn’t been re-signed yet, Anaheim has seven other NHL defensemen, with prospects Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour playing in San Diego of the American Hockey League. Josh Manson proved himself as a big, imposing defenseman last season, Kevin Bieksa brings a veteran presence, Sami Vatanen has improved each season since entering the League in 2014, and Murray managed to keep smooth-skating Cam Fowler, who was rumored to be on the trading block.

2. Special teams Anaheim ended last season with the best power play (23.1 percent) and penalty kill (87.2) in the League. Most of the special-teams personnel will be the same, and Carlyle retained the staff behind the systems, assistants Paul MacLean (power play) and Trent Yawney (penalty kill). The addition of forward Antoine Vermette should strengthen the penalty kill, and Theodore could be a weapon on …

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