Quack Attack ready for the long season ahead
2015-02-19It felt like so long ago the Anaheim Ducks and new General Manager slotted the 2nd Overall pick in the inaugural EHE Draft. Since then, things have been rather quite out at the Pond. With happenins mainly kept behind closed doors, Anaheim GM finally came forth to announce to the public he believes his team is ready.
"Right out of the gate this organization was unified under the same common goal. A championship, the first championship. Thats how we drafted, thats how we've dealt. There are two roads being taken in this league, one well, is what were on. The other is the well known McDavid,Eichel sweepstakes, but beyond that its also been deemed the "Superdraft"
Analysts, reporters and fans alike have all said this team was built to win, in all circumstances, but Lapierre wasnt content with just that.
"We drafted what we felt was a complete team, but even dynasties can be better."
In comes Bobby Ryan
"Bobby has been a personal favourite of mine. We knew to win we had to be more then 100% commited. We wernt able to land him in the draft, but his availabilty came accross my desk and well...the rest tells itself. Giving up our young gun on the Blue line in Gardiner along with a 1st in this years "superdraft" wasnt easy. But neccesary, along with Ryan we aquired the services of Jiri Tlusty, who we believe will bolster the scoring depth playing along side Rich on the 3rd Line."
"But when you lose someone like Gardiner, it leaves a hole on the blue line, a hole I made publically known I wanted filled. When Columbus contacted us with Coburn. It took maybe 5 sentences to get a deal done."
Much has been said that the team gave up what could be two key talents towards their future with the 1st and 2nd in respective deals...but when you look at it, this team is built to be its own future. With Stamkos, Oshie, Neal, Ryan, Staal and Berglund to name a few, all hovering in their mid twenties and only just hitting their prime years. Burakovsky, Gauthier and McCoshen headlining an already talented prospect pool and Smith barely cracking 30, were looking at what could be the EHE's elite organization for years to come.
Wednesday night was their first test, newly named Head Coach Dave Tippett iced (what we expect to be) the roster on opening night, minus Coburn who's flight was delayed. The spot was taken by Michael Del-Zotto, although missing their new blue liner, the Ducks walked right through Colorado on their way to a 4-0 win in the Pre-Season Opener.
It is expected the Franchise will soon name who will captain the ship come opening night but all hints seem to point at the Sniper Steven Stamkos.
For now, the leagues on notice, the Ducks are here to win today, tommorow, and many seasons to come.