Early season injures are nothing new to the Anaheim Ducks, but with this season already having its touch and go start, will the Ducks be able to push through and be that second half team they usually are?
Whenever you see someone take a puck to the face you always hold your breath and hope for the best. We saw this happen with Cam Fowler late in the game verses Nashville. Sadly, no good news came from this as we learned about the multiple fractures in his face that required surgery and putting Cam on the shelf for an extended period of time. We have seen this before with the Captain Ryan Getzlaf who suffered a similar injury last year in Carolina. This time we cant all pick up our pitchforks and blame not wearing a visor because Cam had one on, it was just an unlucky bounce.
In addition to Cam going down, Patrick Eaves is back out of the lineup after playing a couple games due to back issues. This is really too bad too see, because we all love Patty and what he has gone through but he just has not been able to catch a break. From a personal standpoint we all want to see him get better and get back on the ice, but there have been rumblings about what to do if things are just not going to work out medically for him. A buyout? I mean in sports it’s hard, but you have to put your emotions aside at times and focus on the business standpoint, and if he is just going to keep being a cap hit on the IR/LTIR, you have to wonder if it’s time to go another direction. It sucks, it really does but sadly that’s the sports business for you. Let’s just hope he gets stronger and better than ever soon.
Next up would be Hampus who is now missing time with a lower body injury. Another hit to the blue line, which meant young Josh Mahura made the trip up from San Diego and took the solo lap before his first game in the National. He looked good and confident out there, we all have high hopes he will pan out to be very good in the near future. As for Hampus, I am optimistic that he will be back soon as he posted a video of him dancing next to a Christmas tree on his Instagram story a few nights ago.
We also got a scare when we saw Kevin Boyle called up from San Diego and no John Gibson out for the morning skate. Was injury prone Gibby back? It was a dark period of time in Anaheim until we learned that he was just out with the flu, and would be back soon. Thank goodness.
This team needs to start getting 2 points a game on a consistent basis and if the younger kids can step up and be a factor in that happening, it is going to go a long ways.
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