BT's 2008/09 NHL Season Preview: Anaheim Ducks

Preface: After a bit of a break to go and talk to Pat Quinn, we're back with the season previews. Hope everyone had a good weekend.

The Anaheim Ducks were a year removed from their first Stanley Cup championship in team history entering last season, and they had hoped to repeat.

But after running into a few injury problems and having to deal with the 'will-they, won't-they?' situation floating above the heads of the organization, Teemu Selanne, and Scott Niedermayer, the Ducks needed to scratch and claw their way to fourth in the conference.

As they entered the playoffs as defending champs, everyone said that the playoffs were "a new season" where "anything could happen". You know, all the normal cliches.

Well anything did happen, and the surprising Dallas Stars knocked off the defending champs.

Now the ball is in Anaheim's court—either step up and compete with San Jose and Dallas and battle their way back to supremacy in the Pacific Division, or writhe in the middle of the standings, where they could be vulnerable to the Los Angeles Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes.

I, for one, think this team will do all it can to step up and compete in the startingly tough Pacific.

Roster Additions: Joakim Lindstrom-F (Trade), Brian Sutherby-F (F.A.), Brendan Morrison-F (F.A.), Josh Green-F (F.A.), Eric Bougeniecki-F (F.A.), Steve Montador-D (F.A.)

Roster Subtractions: Marc-Andre Bergeron-D (Trade), Teemu Selanne-F (Status Unknown), Joe Dipenta-D (Europe), Jason King-F (Europe), Geoff Platt-F (F.A.), Jean-Sebastian Aubin-G (F.A.), Doug Weight-F (F.A.), Bruno St. Jacques-F (F.A.), Todd Bertuzzi-F (Buyout)

How did 2007-08 go? 47-27-8, 97 points, fourth in conference, second in Pacific Division, lost in the first round of the 2008 playoffs.

2008-09 Goal: First in division, make the conference finals.

Let's Break'er Down...

The team with the Mighty Mascot could be at it again.

After inheriting a team that was built for a Cup run, Brian Burke added the flashier pieces (the Prongers and Niedermayers—well, one of them) to the puzzle, and brought California it's first Stanley Cup.

Now that we're a few years removed, Burke is driven to prove the naysayers wrong, and bring the team a fruitful season in what may be his last on the beach

Getzlaf your lazy butt, BT, and put Ryan in the Top 50!

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