The Anaheim Geese should enhance in numerous areas for a profitable season, because the keys to progress may differ from individual to individual. In spite of everything, this group has the fourth-longest playoff drought at six seasons and has completed within the backside 5 of the NHL standings 4 occasions over that span.
Essentially the most easy measure for figuring out a profitable marketing campaign is climbing the ranks by profitable extra hockey video games. Nevertheless, specializing in some features that desperately want development is essential and will finally lead the membership to its desired vacation spot.
Molding Younger Expertise Into Future Leaders
The Geese named Radko Gudas the ninth captain in franchise historical past on Sept. 19. “[Gudas] performs with emotion. He’s an emotional chief. We’re a younger crew and I assumed that was essential for our crew,” mentioned normal supervisor (GM) Pat Verbeek. “One of many nice issues about [Gudas] is it doesn’t matter what crew he performs for, his teammates love him. And I believe that’s an unimaginable asset to have as a pacesetter.”
Though the Geese plan to depend on youthful gamers to drive the crew ahead, it’s evident that the crew’s decision-makers needed a veteran presence on the forefront. It could have been accomplished to permit the budding stars to develop and excel a bit additional away from the highlight that comes from having the captaincy. It may additionally enable them to concentrate on taking part in somewhat than being the consultant who has to talk with the media or on-ice officers. The burden of answering questions after powerful losses can carry a heavy toll, particularly if wins proceed to be onerous to return by in 2024-25.
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Nonetheless, the crew will give integral roles to younger core gamers like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, and Pavel Mintyukov as a result of they would be the future leaders of the membership. They are going to be closely relied upon for his or her on-ice abilities and also will play essential roles as voices within the locker room. “All of us lead collectively, and that’s not going to alter,” mentioned Gudas after changing into captain.
Geese Should Be Extra Disciplined
Final season, the Geese ranked second in complete penalty minutes with 1,108 whereas receiving essentially the most minor penalties (377), having essentially the most shorthanded ice time (514:41), and main the league in occasions shorthanded (330). Regardless of inserting fifth total in penalties drawn, the crew had by far the worst web penalties within the NHL at minus-94. The San Jose Sharks had been the one different crew to complete under minus-30 with a mark of minus-45.
Unsurprisingly, the penalty kill was a serious downside in 2023-24, rating thirty first within the league with a 72.4 % success price. Anaheim allowed a league-leading 91 targets whereas shorthanded, eclipsing the Minnesota Wild, who allowed the second-most with 67. The Geese undoubtedly must take fewer penalties, particularly in relation to pointless stick infractions and people associated to obstruction, however the crew additionally have to be higher whereas shorthanded.
A technique to enhance is to have gifted offensive gamers on the penalty kill able to placing the opposition on their heels. To that finish, the Geese will experiment with Carlsson and Gauthier throughout shorthanded conditions in 2024-25. “[Carlsson’s] acquired the lengthy attain, he’s a very good participant. There’s sure issues that I take a look at on penalty killing that’s advantageous,” mentioned Verbeek after final season. “I additionally see [Gauthier] doing the identical factor, being concerned within the penalty killing. One of many issues that places energy performs on edge is understanding that the gamers they’re taking part in towards have the flexibility to knock the puck down, take it the opposite approach and rating shorthanded.”
Accountability is commonly a preferred buzzword when a brand new head coach or totally different leaders be part of a crew. Bench boss Greg Cronin obtained reward early within the 2023-24 season for a no-nonsense, team-first strategy. Nevertheless, it didn’t final and confirmed up inconsistently for the rest of the marketing campaign. On the subject of penalties, Cronin mentioned: “In all probability ought to have sat some guys. You hate to do it as a result of typically you’ll be able to lose a man. He will get all wrapped up in his head as a result of he’s sitting. However I talked to [GM Verbeek] about this at size…Typically, you don’t even say a phrase to him. Simply let him determine it out. Brief-term ache, long-term acquire.” The Geese additionally hope that having a captain will assist maintain gamers accountable as a result of it units an ordinary that must be met by each participant on the roster.
Geese Should Take Significant Steps Offensively
The crew’s defensive construction and goaltending nonetheless have query marks, however there have been indicators of progress in 2023-24. The great advantage of everybody being on the identical web page to attain extra targets is that it’s going to dramatically affect the defensive outcomes as a result of it means spending extra time within the offensive zone.
Because the 2019-20 marketing campaign, the Geese rank thirty second within the NHL with 2.53 targets per sport and thirty first with 28.2 pictures per contest. Luckily, there are causes to consider the crew can gentle the lamp extra repeatedly in 2024-25. The top of Carlsson’s game-limiting growth plan will make him a staple within the lineup, and he’ll possible be part of Gauthier on the highest line. The Geese can even get a lift from wholesome seasons for forwards McTavish, Trevor Zegras, and Alex Killorn.
The crew’s protection may additionally play a big position in creating extra offense. Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger, and Tristan Luneau possess excellent puck-moving skills and offensive instincts. Anaheim hasn’t had a lot manufacturing from the blue line outdoors of Cam Fowler since 2018-19, however that might change this marketing campaign. The mobility of Mintyukov, Zellweger, and Luneau will assist the Geese in transition whereas defensive-minded rearguards like Gudas and Brian Dumoulin work to thwart rushes and regain possession for the forwards.
Geese Have the Makings of a Workforce on the Rise
Regardless of having an intriguing assortment of youthful expertise, the Geese will most likely proceed to expertise rising pains in 2024-25. There are too many unknowns and previous issues to disregard to assume the membership can return to being a playoff menace. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply there can’t be noteworthy enhancements. The tempo at which the youthful gamers develop will decide how rapidly the crew rises within the standings, and they are going to be positioned in conditions to succeed. Consistency could also be a problem, however Anaheim has the items to shock groups through the 2024-25 season.
