There was nothing wild about the Ducks in 2014 as GM Collard’s team endured the worst season in the history of the franchise.The Wild Ducks have won more FHL championships than any other team; seven in all, almost twice the number of the recently crowned Bluliners. Even when they didn't win the big prize, GM Collard’s collection of players were always in the mix, rarely finishing out of the money.
Not the case in 2014.
Unbeknownst to them at the time, the Wild Ducks were sitting behind the eight ball from the start, the team’s chamber not fully loaded due to a less than spectacular draft; notably the early selections of Mike Green (1st round), Eric Staal (first pick, 2nd round), Pavel Datsyuk (2nd round), Alexander Semin (3rd round) and Nail Yakupov (4th round).
A less than spectacular draft had never crippled Collard in the past, however the veteran GM was also besieged by bad luck.
Evgeni Malkin was selected 4th overall but never got off the ground due to injuries. Even the typically ripe trade market didn’t yield fruit for the trade-savvy Collard.
Kris Letang was acquired via trade yet the Ducks soon lost him to a season-ending stroke. When 26 year old athletes are suffering strokes, you know its not your year.
Despite the horror that was 2014, no one doubts Collard’s expertise and fully expect the Wild Ducks to make a quick return to their competitive ways. For now the rest of the league can enjoy the money-making opportunity provided by the Wild Ducks 8th place finish; something the league probably won’t enjoy in 2015.
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