NHL 2008 Season Preview: Anaheim Ducks Counting on Youngsters

There is not doubt that Anaheim's main weapons are hardened veterans with proven track records. The team is led by players like Teemu Selanne, Scott Niedermayer, and Chris Pronger. After winning the Stanley Cup in 2007, the Ducks realized that doing it twice in a row isn't as easy as they may have first thought. The Ducks struggled last season and were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. There are a few spots that are currently open on the Ducks roster, and we'll explore which young players could be moving up this season.

Bobby Ryan has to be among the most talked about players who has yet to earn a permanent spot in the NHL. The 6-foot-1 221 pound winger has all the tools needed to succeed in the new NHL. Ryan was chosen second overall in the 2005 Entry Draft, where Sidney Crosby was selected first overall. The Ducks have given Ryan the time he needs to develop into an elite player, and he proved he could play last season with the Ducks minor league club in Portland. He posted 21 goals and 49 points in 48 regular season games, and added another 8 goals and 20 points in the playoffs. Even though Ryan is hailed mostly for his strength and speed, for a bigger player, he has tremendous hands. Bobby Ryan will be a huge addition for the Ducks, both next season and down the road.

Maxime Macenauer is one of those drafts picks that no one has ever heard of, but could make a big difference to the Ducks someday. When the Ducks selected Macenauer in the 2007 Entry Draft at 63^rd overall, he had missed most of the season due to injury. In 2008 he put up 23 goals and 60 points in 67 games for Rouyn-Nouranda in the Quebec Hockey League. Although he is technically a year behind the competition because of the year off due to injury, Macenauer should be one of those players to come out of nowhere an impress coaches and fans. He's a big skilled center who could make a difference for the Ducks as they strive to get back on top.

The Ducks have been known in recent years for their gritty play and Matt Beleskey could be just another player who would fit well within this kind of system. Beleskey was selected 112^th overall in 2006, and just finished his junior career scoring 41 goals and 90 points in 62 games in the regular season. He then added an additional 12 goals and 33 points in 21 playoff games. Beleskey served as captain of Belleville of the Ontario Hockey League and is one of those role players who show up every night to play the game hard. At 6-foot 207 pounds, Beleskey is ready to take the necessary steps to turn pro, but a nagging injury could slow him down. Beleskey will need shoulder surgery in the near future and this will slow down his development slightly.

On the defensive side of the puck, don't be surprised to see Brendan Mikkelson in a Ducks uniform this fall. Selected 31^st overall in 2005, Mikkelson is one of those players who could be ready to have a break out year. He played last season with Portland and really came into his own at the end of the season and into the playoffs. Look for Mikkelson to challenge someone for a roster spot this coming season.

The Ducks have a solid goaltending tandem in J.S. Giguere and Jonas Hiller, but that didn't stop them from taking Jean-Philippe Levasseur 197^th overall in 2005. Because of the solid goaltending team up front, the Ducks will give Levasseur plenty of time to develop. Goalies typically take more time than other players, and the Ducks patience could pay great dividends in the future. Levasseur is a very athletic goalie who needs to improve his style and technique to make it to the next level.