Another summer is upon us, which means another round of player reviews. AnaheimDucks.com will feature a different Ducks player throughout the summer (in numerical order), highlighting key stats while also keeping an eye on next season. We begin with defenseman Kevin Bieksa, who wears No. 2 for the Ducks.
2016-17 Player Review: Kevin Bieksa
The 2016-17 regular season marked Bieksa's 12th in the National Hockey League, and his second with the Ducks. The veteran blueliner, who turned 36 on June 16, remained healthy during the season, appearing in 81 of 82 games. Though he is no longer racking up points like he once did earlier in his career (he eclipsed 40 points in three separate seasons), Bieksa still earned 14 points (3g/11a) in a career-tying 81 games. His lone game missed was March 24 vs. Winnipeg, two days after suffering a facial laceration in a game against Edmonton. Bieksa had appeared in the first 73 games of the season prior to the injury.
Never one to shy away from physical contact, Bieksa finished the season ranked second among team defensemen in hits (173) and games played, and third in blocked shots (100), while averaging 18:45 TOI per game. His 63 penalty minutes last season also pushed his career PIM total to 1,041 over 749 regular-season games.
"Juice" hit several milestones last season, including his 200th career NHL assist on February 4 at Tampa Bay, and his 700th career NHL game on December 17 against Detroit in Anaheim's final appearance at Joe Louis Arena. (The Red Wings are moving into their new home, Little Caesars Arena, beginning next season).
Bieksa kicked up the offense in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs when he finished a four-game sweep over the Calgary Flames with four points (all assists) in the first three contests, including two helpers in Anaheim's epic 5-4 comeback victory in Game 3 at Scotiabank Saddledome. Bieksa assisted on both of Shea Theodore's goals that night, including the game-tying marker with 4:21 remaining in regulation. Corey Perry sealed the deal 90 seconds into OT with a bad-angle shot that caromed off defenseman Michael Stone. It marked the first time in franchise history the Ducks won a postseason game in which they trailed by three.
A freak collision with Theodore in Game 1 of the Second Round vs. Edmonton forced Bieksa to miss nine consecutive games (2-7 against the Oilers and the first three against Nashville), but the rugged blueliner came back for the final three contests of the Western Conference Final. After the Ducks' postseason run ended, it was revealed that Bieksa suffered a torn MCL in Game 1 against Edmonton.
In his end-of-season interview, Bieksa said the 2016-17 Ducks squad was one of the closest he had ever been on over his NHL career.
"It was one of the strongest groups I've seen," he said. "I've been on a couple really close teams, but this one was definitely up there. Top-three for me out of every season. The different personalities, and the different guys and what they brought to the table, this one was special. To win with this group of guys would have been special. Everyone liked each other. A lot of funny guys, a lot of characters. We had some good guys. It just comes down to personalities." Though a few players have moved on, including Theodore and Clayton Stoner (now with Vegas), Nate Thompson (Ottawa) and Jonathan Bernier (Colorado), the majority of the team will be back next season.
Offseason shoulder surgeries to Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen could alter the look of Anaheim's blueline to begin the 2017-18 season, but Bieksa is expected to be ready come training camp. Though he primarily plays the right side (as a right-handed shooting defenseman), Bieksa could also play the left side if necessary, giving head coach Randy Carlyle a few options. Once Lindholm and Vatanen return, the Ducks will have a d-corps that also includes Cam Fowler (who recently signed an eight-year contract extension), Josh Manson and rookie Brandon Montour. Until then, perhaps Bieksa will slot in on the third pair alongside someone like Jacob Larsson or Jaycob Megna, but only time will tell.
