Stat Hockey’s Anaheim Ducks 2022-23 Line Projections

This is a look at the Anaheim Ducks 2022-23 line projections. It will cover all four forward lines, defence pairings, goaltenders, and scratches.

Projected Lineup

F

Adam Henrique – Trevor Zegras – Troy Terry

Mason McTavish – Ryan Strome – Frank Vatrano

Maxime Comtois – Isaac Lundestrom – Jakob Silfverberg

Max Jones – Derek Grant – Sam Carrick

S- Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Glenn Gawdin

D

Cam Fowler – Jamie Drysdale

Urho Vaakanainen – John Klingberg

Dmitry Kulikov – Kevin Shattenkirk

S- Simon Benoit

G

John Gibson

Anthony Stolarz

Forwards

Zegras and Terry and the two best forwards on the team and a lock for the top line. They are skilled, productive, and a few of the main pieces of the Ducks’ future. Henrique had a fairly productive season that flew under the radar and should complement the other two well with a veteran presence.

I chose McTavish to start on the second line as he will succeed more in a top-6 role. Natural centremen in junior or college generally start out on the wing. So, playing on the wing alongside new addition Strome will benefit the youngster.

Comtois shouldn’t be gifted the opportunity to start in the top-6 and must earn it after a disastrous 2021-22 season. Jones missed all but two games last season and isn’t a player who’s skills stand out. He should start on the fourth line and rise if he impresses. As for Groulx, he will make the team out of camp and be in a battle all season for playing time on the fourth line.

Defence

The Ducks are strong on the right side and noticeably weaker on the left after the departure of Hampus Lindholm last season. Adding Klingberg allows for the team to go a number of routes in terms of pairings. Since Drysdale and Vaakanainen are both young and inexperienced, it didn’t make sense to pair them together.

Drysdale is the future on the Ducks’ blue line and should be given a chance to play more minutes this season. Klingberg needs to stay in the top-4 though. That leaves Shattenkirk to move to the bottom pair, but can earn back ice time on special teams. If it were not for the acquisition of Kulikov, Benoit would be in the starting lineup. Benoit still may find himself playing more if he can outperform Kulikov or even Vaakanainen.

Goaltending

Gibson is the starter and a great goalie, but has struggled as the Ducks have become a rebuilder rather than a contender. Stolarz emerged as a solid option in net last season and looks to repeat his performance. Gibson may see closer to 45-50 starts as Stolarz is given more opportunity.

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