Do you now believe the "old" Ducks are back?

I have been cautiously optimistic since Niedermayers return but it seems to me we have that poise back now. After the Sharks scored that first goal in the 3rd period, and had alot of momentum and energy the following shift what did the Ducks do? Weathered it and quickly struck back with a goal, a few weeks ago that wouldn't have happened, and may have seen the boys lose that lead.

Everyone seems to be back to knowing what they should and shouldn't do, in these 4 games and especially the last two the blueline has been almost flawless and Giguere has seem to found his groove.

I wouldn't say the team is clicking on all cylinders just yet but it's getting there. The improved special teams have made a huge difference.

They still need to work on PP but it's much better than earlier in the season.

I believe the old Ducks are back. :handclap: The past 4 games have been refreshing. The next 3 games through Western Canada should be a nice challange. I wonder if Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver will take them lightly due to their previous matchups. Also, I'm curious to see how the Ducks will stack up if Selanne returns. Hopefully he'll return before the long roadtrip in February.

I believe the old Ducks are back. :handclap: The past 4 games have been refreshing. The next 3 games through Western Canada should be a nice challange. I wonder if Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver will take them lightly due to their previous matchups. Also, I'm curious to see how the Ducks will stack up if Selanne returns. Hopefully he'll return before the long roadtrip in February.

If Ryan has a couple of games like the last one, then he will be sent down as soon as Selanne comes back. He's going to have to play very well in order not to get sent down if Teemu comes back.

As far as if the teams back... They are on the right track, but I'm not gonna say they are back after a few games against an injured Avs and Sharks team. Let's wait more then 3 or 4 games to decide. They are definitely on the right track though.

Not yet. Sharks have been sucking offensively. They're only slightly better than us in terms of sucky offense. They're tied for 25th in league in goals/game. And Avs didn't have Big nose Crybaby or Sakic. Reserving judgement until after we play Calgary and Vancouver on the road (canucks are 2nd best D in league).

I did like how Bertuzzi is starting to come alive, showing some jump in his step, and those good hands he used to have.

I'll say I'm not convinced by the play yet, mostly because they've only beaten 2 reeling teams.

But there are a couple good signs. Largely, like you said, how Bertuzzi struck right after Marleau scored. Or against Colorado how they stayed with the gameplan even though they were down a goal. Mental toughness that the team's been missing.

Also, there's some positive things being said by the team. Both Bertuzzi and Schneider mentioned in the papers how they see some of the swagger back. That the team believed it could win.

All good signs, but I'll wait to see how the team plays against hot teams or how it reacts to the next loss. Because that's the big test.

If Ryan has a couple of games like the last one, then he will be sent down as soon as Selanne comes back. He's going to have to play very well in order not to get sent down if Teemu comes back.

As

I posted this question previously and received no reply.

Ryan has played 7 or 8 games so far. Is it true that since he was in Juniors last year, that he must remain with the Ducks all year IF HE PLAYS a total of 10 GAMES?

I posted this question previously and received no reply.

Ryan has played 7 or 8 games so far. Is it true that since he was in Juniors last year, that he must remain with the Ducks all year IF HE PLAYS a total of 10 GAMES?

no it means his contract kicks in and a year is wasted if he only plays 10 or 11 games, but that would only be in effect if he was still in juniors

The signs are definitely there. This teams is playing with more consistency and vigor than at the begining of the season.

Like Obobo said, the true test will come after a loss. It is looking good though! :yo:

Bring back Selanne!!!!

What I'm liking is the transition game is back. Scotty makes such a difference in that department. We spend much less time in our own zone now. The PK is getting much better and the PP is looking better too.

But the Ducks are notorious for slumping after the holidays so let's hope that we can avoid that this time. We don't the luxury of a huge points cushion like last season.

I posted this question previously and received no reply.

Ryan has played 7 or 8 games so far. Is it true that since he was in Juniors last year, that he must remain with the Ducks all year IF HE PLAYS a total of 10 GAMES?

I think that was last year, right? This year I think he can be sent down to the AHL.

Requisite joke about the age of Schneider and Weight.

I think that was last year, right? This year I think he can be sent down to the AHL.

You can't send players from CHL under 20 to AHL, so it was only last year when Ryan was 19.

For me, 'Old Ducks' = Kariya + Selanne

no it means his contract kicks in and a year is wasted if he only plays 10 or 11 games, but that would only be in effect if he was still in juniors
This is the correct answer. But I'll expand it a bit further.

Ryan was signed to a 3 year entry level contract in March of 06. But if he's "18 or 19" (by a certain date... but I think it's the same date that means he's "17" his draft year) then he he plays fewer than 10 NHL games the contract gets extended a year. So in 05-06 and 06-07, his contract was extended 2 years. After 10 games he can still be sent to the OHL, but he would still lose a year of the ELC. This is different from RFA eligibility, where if he's with the team 40 games (healthy scratch counts I believe), it counts as a season.

As an aside, there's a slight difference between saying the contract was extended or the contract "didn't count" that year. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but it has do to with bonuses. I believe the main salary gets extended but bonuses do not.

This year is his 20 year old season, so it makes no difference if he plays NHL games or not. He could even be sent to the OHL as an overager, but this season still will be the 1st year of his ELC. But I believe once they're sent to juniors, they're stuck there for the year unless it's an emergency (injuries and no one else is available). And there's no point in that as he's AHL eligible (20 and older for guys drafted out of the CHL) this year and at this stage the AHL is a better place for development.

I have been cautiously optimistic since Niedermayers return but it seems to me we have that poise back now. After the Sharks scored that first goal in the 3rd period, and had alot of momentum and energy the following shift what did the Ducks do? Weathered it and quickly struck back with a goal, a few weeks ago that wouldn't have happened, and may have seen the boys lose that lead.

Everyone seems to be back to knowing what they should and shouldn't do, in these 4 games and especially the last two the blueline has been almost flawless and Giguere has seem to found his groove.

I wouldn't say the team is clicking on all cylinders just yet but it's getting there. The improved special teams have made a huge difference.

I wouldn't say the Ducks have turned the corner yet, but if you squint real hard you can see something in the distance that looks remarkably like a corner.

Requisite joke about the age of Schneider and Weight.
I keep hoping for a Schneider-Hnidy pairing. C'mon - Schneidy? Make it happen, Carlyle.

Schneidy schneidy schneidy schnei! OD OD OD O! Niedy niedy niedy nie! Hnidy hnidy hnidy moen!

Schneidy schneidy schneidy schnei! OD OD OD O! Niedy niedy niedy nie! Hnidy hnidy hnidy moen!
Badger badger badger badger mushroom mushroom!

I keep hoping for a Schneider-Hnidy pairing. C'mon - Schneidy? Make it happen, Carlyle.

Actually I'd like to see a Huskins-Niedermayer pairing along with Beauchemin-Schneider. This way we can evenly distribute minutes among all 3 lines.