Anaheim Ducks Fans Have Good Reason to Panic

Anaheim Ducks fans should be in full panic mode just 10 games into the 82-game NHL season. A perennial Stanley Cup favorite heading into the season, Anaheim has a dismal record of 1-7-2 with four points to begin 2015-16. Living in an era with potential three-point games, the points needed to obtain a playoff spot is substantially higher in the post-cap era. For example, in 2014-15, the 8th place team in the East finished with 97 points, while the 8th seed in the West collected 98 points.

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There are many issues plaguing the Anaheim Ducks right now, most recently, Ryan Getzlaf being sidelined with appendicitis. But, the biggest issue has been the inability to score goals, as they were averaging less than a goal per game leading up to their previous couple games.

To be fair, Anaheim had a fair bit of roster turnover in the offseason, seeing the departures of Matt Beleskey, Francois Beauchemin, and Kyle Palmieri just to name a few. New faces include Kevin Bieksa, Anton Khudobin, Mike Santorelli, and Carl Hagelin. There’s always a transition period that takes time to build chemistry and get comfortable. Bieksa and Khudobin in particular have struggled early on, while Santorelli and Hagelin are starting to look more comfortable.

Anaheim’s inability to score goals early into the season is truly baffling when you feature one of the most dynamic duo’s in Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Especially considering the Ducks have offensive defenseman that move the puck well in Sami Vatanen, Hampus Lindholm, and Cam Fowler.

Frederik Andersen has been the lone bright spot for this team 10 games into the season, posting some spectacular stats in comparison to Anaheim’s record. Anaheim still has John Gibson in the minors, and may need to consider moving their prized prospect to address holes up front, add another blue-liner, or perhaps both.

Why Anaheim Ducks Fans Should Panic

Oct 24, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie

Frederik Andersen

(31) makes a save during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild win 3-0 over the Ducks. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Anaheim Ducks – 10 games played
(1-7-2) 4 points

2014-15: points needed to get into playoffs – 97 (East), 98 (West)

2015-16 Ducks need 94 points to have a shot at making playoffs

72 games remaining (144 potential points) – (subtract) 94

Equals – Anaheim can only afford to give up 50 points

50 / (divided) 2 – Equals 25

The ducks can only lose a maximum of 25 games in the next 72 to have a chance at the playoffs

Examples of the type of record Anaheim would need to possess over the next 72 games in order to obtain the 94 points to have a chance at post-season:

Now it’s not impossible for Anaheim to go on a couple long winning streaks and potentially squeeze into the playoffs, but it may be difficult to do with their current roster. This team has a gaping hole on its top-line with Getzlaf and Perry. It’s extremely unlikely that this current roster can do what Ottawa did late last season.

The only trade piece that wouldn’t disrupt team chemistry is G John Gibson, who has already garnered interest from Sabres GM Tim Murray. And, although Flames GM Brad Treliving has stated he’s not interested in dismantling his team, it’s likely he’d be willing to at least engage in conversation in attempt to fix his goaltending crisis.

What do you think Ducks fans? The hot topic has been coach Bruce Boudreau on the hot-seat, but would a new coach be enough to collect the extra 94 points needed to avoid being a lottery team? Is there a potential trade target available on the market worth pursuing? The 2016 free agent class features some big names, could a rental that you can possibly extend later on be an option?

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