Ducks in a row
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Unless I'm mistaken, Getzlaf was pretty damn close to being a PPG player after that poor start from the team last season.
Like I said, I think you're making mountains out of molehills. If teams decide he isn't a threat to shoot, he'll start finding the back of the net more. Guaranteed. That just means he'll have that much more time and space. That isn't how you shut down a Ryan Getzlaf. They'll continue to play him like they always do. You're reading way too much into it.
Edit: Kesler has been great, but I don't agree that he's been better than Getzlaf. Getzlaf, with the puck, drives the play. He creates. He opens the ice up for his linemates. Kesler is a skilled grinder, who plays hard-nosed hockey, but he doesn't have the ability to make things happen the way Getzlaf does. And he does it while seeing the very best the opposing team can throw at him. That's why Getzlaf is an elite #1 center, and Kesler is an elite #2 center.
Getzlaf had 63 points in 77 games last season that is 2nd worst point per game average since being #1C.
Kesler is playing 21 min a game almost winning 60% of faceoffs he takes has been producing well and is being used to shutdown other teams best scorers. Kesler has been better. Getzlaf isn't as good as he once was.