1. Best Overall Player - Ryan Getzlaf (2014/15 Stats - 77 GP: 25 G, 45 A, 70 P, +15)
Hard to argue this one, the Ducks Captain is by far their best player and most valuable one as well. He plays all 200-feet of the ice, a guy who plays big minutes and in all situations when his Head Coach Bruce Boudreau needs to lean on him. Getzlaf is consistently a top 10 scorer in the NHL, with 157 points in the last 2 seasons combined, He's a guy that is a nightmare to match up against, it's almost impossible to stop his line once they get going on the cycle. Getzlaf is amongst that group of elite Center's in the NHL today that dominate the game.
2. Best Goal Scorer - Corey Perry (2014/15 Stats - 67 GP: 33 G, 22 A, 55 P, +13)
As good as Getzlaf is, there is no denying that the best goal scorer on the Ducks is Corey Perry. Perry is one of the best goal scorers in the NHL, he can score from everywhere and that's what makes him so good. Perry has an extremely deceptive release that tortures NHL goalies, he seems to always score the goals that leave goalies shaking their heads. Perry has 76 goals the last 2 seasons and looks to build on that in 2015/16.
3. Best Passer - Ryan Getzlaf
Part of what makes the duo of Getzlaf and Perry so good is the connection the two have each other on the ice. Getzlaf is one of very few players in the NHL that can make passes from anywhere and in all situations. He seems to have eyes in the back of his head, a guy who reads the entire play before it happens. Getzlaf is not only one of the most skilled players in the NHL but he has tremendous hockey IQ, and that plays a huge part in his ability to make the right pass at the right time. Ducks fans have had the pleasure over the years of watching Getzlaf setup Perry in every possible way, and there is no denying that this will continue for years to come.
4. Best Defenseman - Sami Vatanen (2014/15 Stats - 67 GP: 12 G, 25 A, 37 P, +5)
This was a tough one to pick because the Ducks truly don't have a #1 D as of now. When I looked at their current roster I saw a trio of emerging young D: Sami Vatanen, Hampus Lindholm and Cam Fowler. While Lindholm might play more minutes and play more of a defensive role, Vatanen possesses elite offensive skills for a defenseman. Not the biggest guy at 5'10 but Vatanen makes up for it with his tremendous skating, He also has a very quick release and a particularly hard slap shot that gave goalies trouble last season. I'm excited to see what he can do in a full 82-game season.
5. Best Goaltender - Frederik Andersen (2014/15 Stats - 54GP: 35 W, 12 L, 5 OTL, 2.38 GAA, .914 SV%, 3 SO)
Andersen has been one of the most consistent goalies in the NHL in his first two seasons in the league, winning 55 of his first 82 games. He took a big step forward last season picking up 35 wins, good for 8th best in the NHL. The Ducks have the luxury of having Andersen play while budding-star John Gibson refines his game. It will be interesting to see if Gibson pushes for the starting job this season, but for now Andersen has the job.
Next up: Arizona Coyotes
-Joel Forman - The Forman Faceoff
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