Fantasy: 5 players to target on the Anaheim Ducks
With your fantasy draft just around the corner, theScore's Ian McLaren and Darren Kritzer take a look at 5 players you should consider drafting this season.
Top Targets
Ryan Getzlaf
Getzlaf finished the 2013-14 season with 87 points (31 goals, 56 assists), 204 shots on goal, 23 power play points and a plus-28 rating.
Despite missing five games, he ranked second in total points behind Sidney Crosby, and third in points per game (1.13) behind Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Getzlaf comes in eighth in theScore's composite forward rankings in advance of a new season, and for good reason. For his career, he's averaging 0.96 points per game, and he's as reliable a fantasy forward as you're going to find once the likes of Crosby and Stamkos are off the board.
Corey Perry
Perry, of course, is also a bit of a fantasy stud. Last season, Getzlaf's wingman finished second in the NHL with 43 goals, fifth in overall points with 82, and racked up 65 penalty minutes, 280 shots and a plus-32 rating to boot.
While his overall production is less than Getzlaf`s (0.84 points per game), he`s a more proficient goal scorer, averaging 33 per every 82 games played, with a career-high 50 set in 2010-11.
Perry actually ranked third among all forwards in our rankings, and, along with Getzlaf, should be considered a first-round pick in all fantasy leagues.
Proceed With Caution
Ryan Kesler
From 2008 to 2012, Ryan Kesler was a fantasy monster, putting up big numbers in all relevant categories. 2009-10 and 2010-11 in particular were banner years, with career highs set in points (75) and goals (41) in consecutive seasons.
Various injuries and an eroded relationship with the Vancouver Canucks pumped the brakes on Kesler's fantasy awesomeness. He will, however, be in a good spot with the Ducks, playing center on the second line and jumping up to the top power play unit with Getzlaf and Perry.
But, while a change of scenery might do him some good, fantasy owners should temper expectations, lest the 30-year-old fall prey to injury or fail to gel with his new linemates at five-on-five.
Take A Flier On
Cam Fowler
Fowler rebounded from a couple down seasons with six goals and 30 assists in 70 games, and posted a positive plus/minus (plus-15) for the first time in his four-year career.
According to theScore's composite rankings, Fowler is the 25th defenseman on the list, but possesses an upside that could elevate him above that slot. With Kesler aiding the power play, Fowler could see boosts in his assist numbers, while pushing double digits in goals.
Most will draft Fowler as maybe their third defenseman, and rightly so. Astute managers will jump on him slightly earlier, hoping for a 40-plus point season.
John Gibson
The Ducks' goaltending picture is anything but clear, with Frederik Andersen and John Gibson set to battle it out for the number one job.
Our money is on Gibson, backed up by his appearance in our composite rankings. He appeared in three games late last season, winning them all with a save percentage of .954.
He then jumped ahead of Andersen and Jonas Hiller on the playoff depth chart. While he ultimately faltered in a decisive Game 7 against the Los Angeles Kings, it demonstrated the organization's faith in the 21-year-old.
If he grabs the job and runs with it, Gibson could provide high-end production on a mid- to late-round pick.