2006 Anaheim Mighty Ducks Preview

2006 Anaheim Mighty Ducks Preview from Maddux Sports. With the NHL Hockey Season now is the time to get aquatinted with the 2006 teams and players. Remember if you are NHL hockey betting look no further, as we offer hockey picks and can help you turn a profit betting on the NHL this season.

2006 Anaheim Mighty Ducks Hockey Season Preview

Although the word “mighty” is no longer part of this team’s nickname, Anaheim may be more imposing than it’s ever been. They are mighty on just about every level.

Starting with the front line with center Andy McDonald (34 G, 51, A, 85 Pts), left wing Chris Kunitz (19 G, 22 A, 41 Pts) and right wing Teemu Selanne (40 G, 50 A, 90 Pts), this team means business. Rob Niedermayer, Samuel Pahlsson and Todd Marchant don’t contribute that many points, but they offer dependable veteran play. Key to this squad moving up from last year’s ranking of 13th is the play of Christov, Penner, Perry and Marchant. Ryan Getzlaf (14 G, 25 A, 39 Pts) was one of the leagues top rookies last season; expect more from him this year.

The defense was great last season, with Captain Scott Niedermayer (13 G, 50 A, 63 Pts) leading the crew. Niedermayer ranked sixth among NHL D-men. Now he’s joined by ninth-ranked Chris Pronger (12 G, 44A, 56 Pts)! Rookie Francis Beauchemin (8 G, 28 A, 36 Pts) was a pleasant surprise and twenty-six year old Vitaly Vishnevski is one of the league’s best checkers. Together they create an awesome physical presence.

These are rich times in net with two first-rate goalies on board. Big Ilya Bryzgalov (31 GP, 13 W, 12 L, 1 OT, 2.51 GAA, .910 SP) was mammoth in the playoffs. Jean-Sebastian Giguere (60 GP, 30 W, 15 L, 11 OT, 2.66 GAA, .911 SP), who was supplanted by Bryzgalov in the post-season, is a highly skilled, technically proficient goalie.

Improvement is needed on the penalty kill (ranked 13th) and power play (15th). The Ducks accumulated an average of 17.8 penalty minutes per game (ranked 20th). With Pronger proctoring the new guys, these stats will hopefully improve.

Last season, the Ducks had the seventh best defense in the league and featured some of the finest goaltending. They’re even better this year. They could take the conference title.

For more information on the 2006 Anaheim Hockey Club check out the Mighty Ducks team website.