Like the Florida Panthers, it is the 20th anniversary season for the Anaheim Ducks this year. So like we did with the Panthers yesterday, let's take a look at top 20 players in the history of the Anaheim Ducks
1. Teemu Selanne - The Finnish Flash is the franchise's all time leader in seemingly every offensive category and in games played. His class puts him at the head of the class.
2. Paul Kariya - The face of the franchise for many years. Had he remained or returned healthy he very well may be number one.3. Scott Niedermayer - Hockey Hall of Famer played last four seasons of his career in Anaheim, joining his brother Rob. He won the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP for the 2007 Stanley Cup championship.
4. Jean Sebastien Giguere - The NHL got "Jiggy With It" in a spectacular Ducks run to the Stanley Cup final in 2003, thanks in large part to Giguere's red-hot goaltending. He didn't get to lift the Stanley Cup in celebration then, but he returned in 2007, backstopping the franchise to their first championship.
5. Corey Perry - Hart Trophy winner gets the nod over his higher scoring co-hort. He also led the league in goals once so far, winning the Rocket Richard trophy in 2011.
6. Ryan Getzlaf - Getzlaf and Perry are nearly inseparable. Getzlaf led the Ducks in scoring in the 2007 Stanley Cup championship and likely will one day finish as the team's all time leading scorer.
7. Chris Pronger - The big defenseman with the nasty mean streak only played 3 seasons in Anaheim. Otherwise this certain Hall of Famer may have ranked higher on this list.
8. Steve Rucchin - This long time Duck was an unheralded center, he scored the series winning goal against Detroit to launch the Ducks 2003 run to the Stanley Cup final.
9. Guy Hebert - The Ducks have usually been blessed with strong goaltending. Guy Hebert was the first goaltending stalwart.
10. Jonas Hiller - Hiller will rise up this list before his career is done. He is hitting his prime and needs to make some noise in the playoffs.
11. Francois Beauchemin - There's something about playing hockey in Anaheim for this player. Beauchemin has been one of the league's top rearguards wearing a Ducks jersey, but only average elsewhere.
12. Sami Pahlsson - Along with Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer, this checking line center was integral part of the Ducks' 2007 Stanley Cup championship.
14. Bobby Ryan - Ryan never quite found his calling in Anaheim. The big man had all the skills and size to dominate but never quite emerged from the shadows of Getzlaf, Perry and Selanne.
15. Ruslan Salei - Long time Duck as a solid and steady presence on the blue line for many seasons.
16. Keith Carney - Keith Carney may be one of the most underrated players of his generation.
17. Rob Niedermayer - Played six seasons in Anaheim. Sharing the 2007 Stanley Cup with his brother was one of the franchise's top feel good stories.
17. George Parros - Tough guy remains one of the most popular players in franchise history, both on and off the ice.
18. Vitaly Vishnevskiy - Hard hitting defenseman was also known as the freight train from Ukraine.
19. Chris Kunitz - He left and became better known as Sidney Crosby's left winger, but he got his start in Anaheim and is still in the Ducks' top ten in all time scoring.
20. Oleg Tverdovsky - Exciting defenseman never could polish off his game to match his potential.
3 comments:
One of the better - i.e. well reasoned - lists of Ducks I've read.
Though, I think Hiller is a little high right now. Let's see how his career pans out before he jumps Hebert.
NO WAY, NO HOW should Paul Kariya be ranked above Scott Niedermeyer. Furthermore how is Oleg Tverdnosky even on the list. Francois Beauchemin has clearly made much more of an impact. I mean he was very instrumental on the Ducks Cup run and lets not forget the lopsided beatdown of Iginla that completely demoralized the Flames for the remainder of that series and pretty much every game vs the Ducks since.
The only notable contribution of Oleg was somehow being part of a trade that brought Selanne to the Ducks.
After the Panthers and the Ducks, are u gonna plan a top 20 for the Stars? Cuz they're also celebrating the 20th anniversary of their franchise.
Thank you.
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