It is a year of change with more than a few faces coming into the fold but there are also quite a few returning players that are coming into a critical season not just for their careers but in order for the Gulls to have another successful year despite several key departures.

Josh Mahura

Josh Mahura (6) defends against the Manitoba Moose. Credit San Diego Gulls.

Losing five of his compatriots and two of the main Power Play quarterbacks has left Mahura as the “man in charge” in a manner of sorts. The second year pro will need to step up this year and prove he was worth the Ducks taking the risk of trading Brandon Montour last season. As I have wrote about in his post-season grade – he had a great start to last season but could not regain his composure once he came back to San Diego from a possibly too-early-in-his-career stint in Anaheim. He needs to work on his net-front coverage and defensive awareness down-low and will be relied upon heavily to be a puck carrier as well as lead Power Play distributor from the point. I don’t know if it was the Ducks intention to pile all of this pressure on the young defender in his second pro year but its sink or swim for the young Mr Mahura this season.

Kevin Boyle

Steve Olesky (7) and Kevin Boyle (33) of the Gulls atttempt to shut down a Road Runners opportunity. Credit San Diego Gulls.

If you thought Mahura was in for a high pressure year – Kevin Boyle has it slightly worse. The fourth year pro is entering the final year of a two year deal, having been named an AHL All Star and earning his first NHL Win and Shutout but now has to prove himself to the Anaheim brass against recent signing Anthony Stolarz. Given Stolarz pedigree (former second round pick) and NHL experience many automatically assumed he slotted in above Boyle for third string on the Anaheim goaltender depth chart while also gaining a foothold on the eventual back-up to Gibson once Miller retires job. But I have faith in Mr. Boyle and despite his AHL numbers dropping off somewhat last year, I can see him challenging and surprising many in his performances this year. Either the way the 27 year old absolutely must have a career year if he hopes to gain an extension with the Ducks or obtain interest from potential suitors elsewhere around the league. With Lukas Dostal and Olle Ericsson-Ekk likely coming over for good next season – Boyle will need to prove himself ready to move up or find himself moving out.

Chase De Leo

Chase De Leo (7) controls the puck in action against the San Jose Barracuda. Credit San Diego Gulls.

You might find this a strange entry but the truth of the matter is – Bob Murray does not like when players file for arbitration. Sure the contract negotiation didn’t make it to the actual arbitration hearing, but neither did Montours two year deal signed last year. Montour and his new deal didn’t last the full two seasons before he was dealt part-way through the first year of it. In 2009 James Wisniewski filed for Arbritation but was signed to a one year deal before the hearing, the next year he filed again and although he was signed to another one year deal to avoid the hearing once more – he was then dealt to the Islanders just hours after signing. Dan Sexton filed for Arbitration in 2011 and got a two year contract before the hearing but was dealt in March 2013 just before the end of the deal. Nick Bonino filed for but avoided Arbitration in 2012 when he signed a 2 year deal, he was traded in 2014 at the end of the contract. I could dig up more but I think you get the point. De Leo had a career year and was more than deserving of his pay rise but his filing for arbitration also means that his time with the Ducks organization is now likely limited, If he wants to get that next big contract after this one year deal is up – he needs to have another big year with the Gulls.

Deven Sideroff

Devon Sideroff (18) falls as he makes a pass against the Stockton Heat. Credit San Diego Gulls.

Sideroff is entering the final year of his three year entry level deal and although he showed signs of finally breaking through last season – an unfortunate injury sustained in a fight saw his momentum halted. Now he must begin again and play some of the best hockey of his life if he wants to earn another deal or extension. Fortunately for him – the off-season departures of several Gulls stalwarts has opened up a roster spot for him once again. First and foremost he needs to stay healthy but of equal importance – he and longtime line-mate Alex Dostie need to find the form they had early last season on the Gulls energy line while also putting numbers up or find themselves on the wrong side of a qualifying offer.

Alex Dostie

Alex Dostie (10) attempts to control a puck in action against the Tuscon Road Runners. Credit San Diego Gulls

Dostie is an interesting case. He – unlike Sideroff – stayed healthy last year but became a victim of excess personnel. He finished the year in the ECHL but lead the ECHL postseason in points for a good chunk of the Tulsa Oilers campaign. He has something to prove and may have finally found the confidence he has seemed to lack thus far in his professional career. Like Sideroff – he is also entering the final year of his three year entry level deal but I have a feeling that his strong play to finish the year in the ECHL could carry over to this year as he looks to have a big year to earn an extension. At the very least – he has demonstrated that he is too good for the ECHL.

Simon Benoit

Simon Benoit (5) carries the puck in action against the Manitoba Moose. Credit San Diego Gulls.

Ending on a positive note, I will leave you with the feel good story of 2018-2019. Simon Benoit showed up as a tryout at the Ducks summer camp and played is way into the Anaheim organizational depth chart – earning himself a three year entry deal in the process. As noted above – losing five defensive regulars will also force Benoit into a much more prominent role and yet more ice-time under a new coach who stresses “unflappable fundamentals on defense”. Given the lack of options after Mahura – he could even find himself on the second Power Play unit – which wouldn’t be too big a stretch given the kind of offensive instincts he showed at points in his rookie year. It was a breakout year for Benoit last season and I for one – believe he can top that with another leap forward; the kind of development curve he has shown already leads me to believe the sky is the limit for the young Laval native.