Archive for Features

Finn-tastic!

by Patrick | Posted February 7th, 2012 at 10:34 PM
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(PHOTO: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The following story appeared in the January 31st issue of Puq Magazine.

It’s an age-old question about age-old players — how long after their play begins to decline does their team have an obligation to keep paying them for their services?

For the Anaheim Ducks, it’s a question that has never even crossed the minds of management when Teemu Selanne is the subject of conversation.

Climbing up the Hiller [Statsbomb]

by Patrick | Posted January 18th, 2012 at 9:46 PM
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(PHOTO: Paul Bersebach/KRT Photos)

It’s no shock for Ducks fans to hear about their team’s subpar goaltending this season — subpar play all around, really. Happily, things have been looking up of late. The team is on a roll and maligned goaltender Jonas Hiller has finally begun to play like the all-star he used to be. Has it been enough to wash away the early season disappointment? You be the judge:

Click to enlarge.

Shake Up: At the loom of realignment

by Patrick | Posted December 29th, 2011 at 10:25 PM
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This story was originally published in the December 23 issue of Devil’s Advocate.

Doomsday is upon us all. Or maybe not. It depends on who you ask. For the first time in almost two decades, the NHL is restructuring its teams in an effort to placate the masses (which in this case means the networks, the players, the owners, the fans and just about anybody else who invests time or money in the sport).

It’s a little axiomatic to say any decision that aims to please everybody ends up pleasing nobody, but it rings especially true when it comes to a hot topic like scheduling in professional sports leagues. Invariably, some teams, comfortable in their current situation, will be resistant to the idea of change, while others will welcome it with open arms.

DA Web Issue 02: All things new

by Patrick | Posted December 28th, 2011 at 12:35 PM
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(PHOTO: Harry How/Getty Images)

Direct from the latest issue of Devil’s Advocate, our latest (albeit very brief) discussion of issues surrounding the Ducks: the new coach, the new Finn and the new year.

Devil’s Advocate Web Issue 02

Devil’s Advocate Web Issue Index

Devil’s Advocate Magazine Hub

… and to all a new issue!

by Patrick | Posted December 25th, 2011 at 6:59 PM
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The second issue of Devil’s Advocate is here! This holiday edition is packed (packed!) with awesome stories, pictures and news from across the Anaheim Ducks universe.

Among the highlights:

  • Team report cards: We look back on the first half of the season and rank the Ducks players for their performances.
  • Shake up: How NHL realignment impacts on its teams — most importantly, the Ducks.
  • Towels are invading: The story of a Ducks fan who brings orange to world-famous landmarks.
  • Hiller’s got another new mask: Three-page spread complete with gorgeous, full-bleed photos of Jonas Hiller’s new cage, courtesy Airxess.
  • Holidays are here: Santa’s naughty list, Ducks secret Santa and more!

Click the link above to unwrap the gift you’ve all been waiting for, or check out the Hub here.

Code Blue [Statsbomb]

by Patrick | Posted December 12th, 2011 at 9:52 PM
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(PHOTO: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

When things hit rock bottom — or in the Ducks’ case, damn near to it — you have to look at the bright side. “What bright side?” the astute among you are surely asking. Well…

Click to enlarge.

Four and twenty-two [Statsbomb]

by Patrick | Posted December 7th, 2011 at 11:04 PM
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(PHOTO: Harry How/Getty Images)

Not much needs to be said. If you want to see what rock bottom looks like, click the image below.

Click to enlarge.

Announcing Devil’s Advocate, the magazine

by Patrick | Posted December 2nd, 2011 at 1:35 PM
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So here’s a bit of exciting news. Today I’m pleased to present the first in what I hope is a long series of e-magazines exclusive to Quacked.

What is it, exactly? A brief look at the goings on in the world of the Anaheim Ducks (and our own blogosphere) from the past couple of weeks. Most of the content has already been published on Quacked, but is aggregated and presented here in a format that’s ideally suited to longer reading sessions (e.g. when you’re on the— um, let’s say throne).

What are you waiting for? Dive right in by clicking the link above or going to the new hub we’ve set up for it.

Devil’s Advocate 01: Impending doom

by Patrick | Posted November 30th, 2011 at 5:23 PM
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(PHOTO: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Today we’re introducing a new feature series on Quacked that we call Devil’s Advocate. Designed to mimic the venerable roundtable sports discussion — only without the physical presence of a round table — it should allow us to shed some light on current issues surround the Anaheim Ducks.

In our inaugural discussion, Alex and I examine the Bobby Ryan trade rumor mill, assess the effect of Jason Blake’s absence on the team’s juju and debate whether Jonas Hiller should be escaping accountability for his slow start.

Click to view Devil’s Advocate, Issue 01

Click here to view the Devil’s Advocate index

How good was Giguere? [Statsbomb]

by Patrick | Posted November 5th, 2011 at 8:58 PM
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(PHOTO: Elsa/Getty Images/NHLI)

Another day, another statsbomb — or as it’s known more colloquially, infographic. The focus this time is on Jean-Sebastien Giguere’s efforts in backstopping the 2003 Mighty Ducks to an improbable Stanley Cup run that came up a game short.

Was it a case of common heroism that occurs every playoff season when one player rises from obscurity to take the hockey world by storm? Or was it truly a performance for the ages? Click below and decide for yourself:

Click to enlarge.