Anaheim Ducks Minor League Report
- Updated: November 25, 2015
Anaheim Ducks fans haven’t had much to cheer about so far this season as the Ducks are struggling to keep pace with the top eight teams in the ultra competitive Western Conference. On a better note, the Ducks have several promising prospects that have started the season well in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls.
Nick Ritchie, the Ducks top offensive prospect, lit up AHL goalies scoring nine goals in 12 games leading to the Ducks recalling him to the big club. According to hockeysfuture.com Ritchie profiles as an effective power forward with the offensive instincts and shooting ability to be a consistent goal scorer. So far his track record certainly backs up that scouting report. In five games with the Ducks he hasn’t yet gotten on the scoresheet, but since he is playing on the 2nd line with Ryan Kesler and Jakob Silfverberg that could change sooner rather than later.
Top Ducks defenseman prospect Shea Theodore also earned a callup to the NHL this week, but only for precautionary purposes and was reassigned back to San Diego on Saturday. His Gulls teammates were likely happy to see him return as they gave up seven goals on Friday night and are now in the midst of a five game losing streak after starting the season 9-2. The scouting report on Theodore is equally as promising as Ritchie’s. “Theodore is a high-level offensive defenseman” and is a smooth skater with an accurate shot from the blue line that excels on the powerplay. I was able to see that side of his game in person two weeks ago as he and the San Diego Gulls blew past the Bakersfield Condors 6-1, thanks in part to a very strong power play. While Theodore only registered an assist in the game, taking a back seat to fellow offensive defenseman prospect Brandon Montour who scored two and assisted two, Theodore was very much involved in the dynamic quick passing power play the Gulls displayed on the night.
While Montour is off to a scorching hot start, 14 assists and four goals in 16 games with the Gulls this season, Theodore may have the higher ceiling between the two. Scouts believe Theodore has the hockey intelligence that will lead to the defensive side of his game improving enough for him to be a “top pairing two-way defender” in the future. So far with San Diego he has a goal and eight assists in 16 games. With a +/- of -2, the defensive side of his game will undoubtedly be a major focal point of his time in the minors the season. Between Montour and Theodore, the future of the Ducks blue line is certainly bright.
ANAHEIM, CA – NOVEMBER 24: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks blocks a shot during the second period of a game against the Calgary Flames at Honda Center on November 24, 2015 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Another player the Ducks have recently called up is a guy NHL fans might recognize. John Gibson has played 26 games with the Ducks over the past two seasons, and with starter Frederick Anderson out with the flu on Tuesday night, Gibson was called up to Anaheim again to backup Anton Khudobin. Khudobin started the game but was pulled early after allowing two goals on five shots. Gibson got his chance and shut down the Calgary Flames for the rest of the game, only allowing one goal on 20 shots and earned the win as the Ducks came from behind to win 5-3. It will be interesting to see what the Ducks do when Anderson recovers, as Gibson really doesn’t have anything else to prove in the minors and Khudobin is struggling to find the form he showed for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013-14 season. His save percentage that year was .926, and since then it’s been barely over .900.
With the Ducks off to a stumbling start, calling on their top prospects might be what they need to do to turn their season around. Nick Ritchie and John Gibson certainly look ready for an extended stay in Anaheim, while Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour are waiting in the wings to give the Ducks defensive corps an offensive minded boost.
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