Ducks defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson praised the efforts of Christian Djoos and Jani Hakanpaa, who received playing time in the weeks leading up to the pause.
Djoos, who was acquired in a trade with the Washington Capitals for forward Daniel Sprong on Feb. 24, had three points (one goal, two assists) in nine games for the Ducks. Hakanpaa, who played the previous four seasons for Karpat in Liiga, Finland's top professional league, was recalled from San Diego of the American Hockey League on March 1. The 28-year-old scored his first NHL goal in Anaheim's final game before the pause, a 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on March 11.
"Obviously, I was on the sideline when they all came in," said Lindholm, who sustained an upper-body injury on Feb. 25. "Looking at how we were playing, I think they all did a really impressive job coming in. I was talking a little bit to Djoos and Hakanpaa, and sometimes it's easier coming up (from the AHL) and playing when you really get to play and get the confidence and you feel like people believe in you.
"When you're playing up in the NHL, you're playing better players than you would in the American league, and it sometimes makes the game easier if you're playing the right way. They did a really good job coming up and they didn't look out of place at all."
Manson agreed.
"I thought they were good additions for us," he said. "Hakanpaa, when he came in at the beginning of the year and through camp, by the time he came back when he was called up toward the end of the year, he was a way different player. It looked like he was a lot more comfortable on the ice, and he kept up with the pace. He was a really solid player. He was a big body, he played physical for us. He was a good addition. Djoos and [Matt] Irwin (who was acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators on Feb. 24), they were just steady for us; Djoos obviously added offense for us. It's going to be good going into next year having those guys around to push for positions and really elevate the competition level."
Anaheim also has a number of younger forwards who will be pushing veterans up front in the future. Sonny Milano (23 years old), who was acquired in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 24, had five points (two goals, three assists) in nine games with the Ducks. Max Comtois (21) split this season between Anaheim and San Diego but had 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 29 NHL games. Max Jones (22), Anaheim's first-round pick (No. 24) in the 2016 NHL Draft, had 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in 59 games this season.
"We have a lot hope with our youth," Manson said. "We have a lot of confidence in the young players that are coming up. … Our veterans, the core group that we have, I'm really happy with that. I think we have a bunch of strong leaders on our team. That's only going to help these young guys as they come up and learn how to have a consistent game and impact on the team."
