Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Detroit Red Wings, who beat the Ducks 4 games to 3 to advance to the Conference Finals in the 2009 NHL Playoffs, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Anaheim Ducks for the exhilarating season they had, finishing 2nd in the tough Pacific Division!

The 2007-08 season was disappointing for the Anaheim Ducks, but not because they had a terrible season. After all, they placed second in the brutal Pacific Division and made it to the playoffs, though they were knocked out in the first round by the Dallas Stars. No, the season was disappointing because the Ducks were coming off the high of their 2007 Stanley Cup win. You can’t follow up a Stanley Cup win with anything less than another Stanley Cup win without feeling let down, and the fact that key players like Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne were out for the majority of the season is cold comfort. The Ducks are beginning the 2008-09 season in much better shape for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is Niedermayer’s agreement to play the whole season. Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Bob Murray blames not giving the younger players enough ice time for last season’s record, so expect to see more of Bobby Ryan (the number 2 draft pick from 2005), Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The Ducks have both a strong offense and a strong defense, which will make them tough to beat in the 2008-09 season. Get your tickets to Honda Center and see if the Ducks can bring home the 2009 Stanley Cup!