Perry For Your Thoughts

The Artists Formerly Known as the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and now known as simply as the Anaheim Ducks

As we've seen with several teams so far this offseason, the most important move was not someone that Anaheim gained this offseason but someone they retained.

Corey Perry is an integral piece in Anaheim's future and they absolutely could not afford to let him walk. This team will be built around he and Ryan Getzlaf. Perry had 54 points in 7o games. He also had 108 PIM, 200 shots and was a +12. In short as a RW Perry has the potential to be a fantasy monster for your squad. A season in which Perry finishes in the high 60's would not be unexpected this year. I would expect a slight dip in his PIM, as he becomes more mature, but even if he drops 20-30 PIM Perry is a fantasy force.

The Ducks only big name signing was Brendan Morrison. I like Morrison I always have, but since the days of Bertuzzi, Naslund, Morrison ended he has been pretty consistent in his mediocrity. In 39 games Morrison scored 9 goals and 16 assists, putting him on track for about 18 goals and 32 assists. This would give him almost identical numbers to his 2006-2007 season in which he scored 20 goals and had 31 assists. A 50 point center who isn't defensively responsible, is not frequently penalized and will likely not see any powerplay time is pretty much useless. Don't draft him unless you are in a deep league or you just need someone to keep the bench warm.

This is actually a perfect example of UPSIDE vs. veterans with recognizable names. Perry had 54 points last year but is only 23 and has tremendous upside. Morrison was on pace to score 50, in keeping with his last few seasons. He is now 32 and his best days with famous linemates are behind him. Now I suspect I'm preaching to the choir when I say draft Perry way before Morrison, but there are other less known Corey Perry's. Draft them before Morrison too. There will always be a 50 point center on waivers if you really need one. This, of course, is assuming that Teemu isn't coming back. Because if he is... well then maybe Morrison has some life in him yet.