Season In Review: Ryan Kesler

By: Matthew Garcia

Ryan Kesler, a Selke trophy finalist in the 2015-2016 season would look to have another repeat performance in the 2016-2017 season. This year would be a little different as Kesler would be working for a different coach than he was used to the past few seasons as the Anaheim Ducks relieved Bruce Boudreau of his coaching duties during the off-season and brought back Randy Carlyle. Kesler, however, is very familiar with Carlyle as back in 2004-2005 he coached the AHL Manitoba Moose where Kesler was playing due to the NHL lockout.

Kesler, entering his 13th NHL season, and third year with Anaheim would be looking to make his mark once again this season. While he may not be well-known for his goal scoring ability he is, however, known for his faceoff prowess and shut-down style of play, Kesler was once again centering a line with teammates Jakob Silfverberg, and Andrew Cogliano which was the team’s top defensive trio in the 15-16 season. Kesler ended the year ranked sixth overall in the face-off department with a win percentage of 57.39% as he took more than 1700 faceoffs in the 2016-2017 regular season. Kesler did score 22 goals this year making it the 9th time in his career he has scored 20 or more goals, he also tallied a total of 36 assists for a grand total of 58 points making it his best season in the past 6 years in the points department. Despite playing against teams top forwards Kesler finished the season with a plus eight rating making it his third best outing in that department since joining the NHL back in 2003-2004 after being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks.

2016/2017 Playoffs

Kesler, who appeared in all 82 games during the regular season participated in all of Anaheim’s 17 playoff games. He was a vital piece in the four game sweep of the Calgary Flames in round one as he was tasked with covering the Flames’ top forward Johnny Gaudreau. In the four games, the two teams played Gaudreau was held to just two assists and was a minus-four majorly in part to how Kesler played on him, not giving him any space to work his magic. However, the second round would prove to be a much bigger task as the Ducks were up against a young, hungry Edmonton Oilers team who hasn’t seen the playoffs since their historic run to the Cup Finals back in the 2005-2006 season. Kesler was tasked with covering Connor McDavid who was the NHL’s leading scorer as he finished with 30 goals and 70 assists for a total of 100 points in just his second professional season. In their seven game series against the Oilers, Kesler absolutely hounded McDavid while only allowing him a total of five points. (3G, 2A) The Ducks exorcised their game seven demons and advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the second time in the past three seasons, the opponent would be the Nashville Predators and it turned into a heated affair early as Kesler would once again be tasked with the Predators top player Ryan Johansen, who had some words about the style that the Anaheim forward played, but Kesler did not let it affect him and he continued to battle in the series. The Ducks season would come to an end as they fell to the Predators in six games.

In the exit interviews during the locker room clean out Randy Carlyle stated that Ryan Kesler, along with many other Duck players were battling some pretty bad injuries. Kesler underwent hip surgery back in June and was stated as a general “cleaning” which included removing bone fragments. It was stated the Kesler would be able to resume skating in 12 weeks, but the timetable for his full return for in-game action would be slated for October.

Kesler, who was nominated as a Selke trophy finalist for the second time in as many years had ultimately lost to Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron. At the awards ceremony Kesler was shown still walking on crutches. Stay tuned for future updates on Ryan Kesler and the rest of the Anaheim Ducks as training camp is just around the corner.

Happy Birthday Kesler!

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August 30th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, ducksnpucks, Ryan Kesler