5 Biggest Overreactions to Anaheim Ducks’ First Week

Corey Perry has led the league in goal scoring before and could very well do it again this season. Having said that, his goal per game pace is obviously unsustainable and he’ll end the season with anywhere between 35 and 50 goals. With players like Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos, winning another Rocket Richard Trophy for leading goal scorer will be tough.

The U.S. Olympian is playing around 20 minutes per game and has seen a noticeable improvement in his defensive play. The coaching staff is overreacting to his struggles in the past by not allowing the 22-year-old to be unleashed and play the minutes of the No. 1 defenseman he is turning into.

The Long Beach native is in his third year of pro hockey and has zero points through three games in what appears to be a make-or-break year for the 22-year-old. There’s no reason to panic; guys like Etem will always find ways to get their points as his speed and offensive smarts will lead to plenty of goals before long.

The dynamic duo has seen not one but two wingers get injured playing on their line since camp opened, as Dany Heatley and Patrick Maroon will both be out for a while. Perry and Getzlaf are arguably the best one-two punch in the league, and any winger worth his salt would be lucky to play with them. It’s a mere coincidence that two players have gotten hurt while on their left wing.

The team sent down the 21-year-old a week after getting blitzed in the season opener, which was his only start of the season. Gibson will only be in the minors for a few days, but not giving him another crack at the NHL level right away doesn’t bode well for the youngster’s confidence.