Part 1: The Forwards

My apologies for the lack of coverage at the tail end of the Gulls Calder Cup run. I couldn’t watch some of the games live and well – with the way things ended, I didn’t quite have the motivation to get writing again so soon after.

But it was a great season, a great year and things can and only will get better. Let us look back on the year that was one player at a time.

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

#7 – Chase De Leo: A

De Leo was one of many new faces to join the Gulls to start the year after being acquired in an off-season deal for Nic Kerdiles. He was quietly one of the most consistent and hard-working forwards throughout the season and was entrusted with first unit penalty killing as well as second unit power-play minutes. He broke career records in goals, assists and points in the AHL – potting 20 goals, 35 assists for a total of 55 points in 66 games. He finished second on the team in scoring and earned a mid-season call-up to the parent club where he went scoreless in one game of action. He is at the end of his entry level deal and will be seeking a new contract as an RFA with arbitration rights (recently given a qualifying offer by the Ducks). Given the year he has had – he could be looking for a healthy pay-rise.

Kevin Roy (9) celebrates hist first goal of the season and the first goal for the Gulls against the Rampage. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#9 – Kevin Roy: C-

Kevin Roy did not have the most fun year. It seemed that from the moment the Greenfield Park, Quebec native signed a two-way deal (that would curiously pay him less in the AHL then it did on his previous contract) everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. It started with an arm injury suffered in a prospect scrimmage that took place before greater training camp. This saw him miss the majority of the season, getting into his first game of action with the Gulls in early February. In a year that he bet on himself to make NHL money he found himself playing in just three games for the Ducks and eleven for the Gulls in the regular season. A further injury at the tail end of the year added insult to uhhh pun-withheld. The setback keeping him from finishing the year strong and helping the Gulls at the beginning of their Calder Cup run. He did eventually make it into the line-up for Game Two against the Condors but he was a shadow of the kind of electrifying player Gulls fans had grown accustomed to seeing over the previous two seasons. All told he scored 5 points in 11 regular seasons games for the Gulls and notched a further 3 points in 8 games in the playoffs. He went scoreless in three games with the Ducks. Not a great result and his future may look in doubt as he looks to ink another deal either with Anaheim or trying his luck on the market as a Group 6 UFA. I earlier speculated that a team with room in their forward depth like Vancouver or Montreal might be a good landing spot for him but given the bad luck he has had this year, that remains to be seen.

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

#10 – Alex Dostie: D+

I actually forgot to include Dostie on this list initially – which I am massively apologetic for.

Dostie – like Sideroff, had an off year when he desperately needed to have a good showing for himself. He began the year with San Diego and as previously stated – was one part of the most consistent line for the Gulls during a period of uncertainty. Unfortunately his fortunes were too tightly tied to his line-mate Deven Sideroff and when he went down with an injury that ended his year, Dostie struggled to stay in the line-up as bodies were returned from Anaheim and players returned from injury.

He ended the year in Tulsa of the ECHL where he lead the team and the entire ECHL in playoff scoring at one point – totaling 24 points in 20 games. He eventually finished third in scoring as the Oilers bowed out in the Conference Finals. On the year for San Diego he had a 4 points in 37 games, a 6 points drop from the 10 points in 41 games showing of his first pro year.

He has one year left on his entry level contract to prove his worth and his strong play in the ECHL playoffs does lend hope that the 2016 fourth rounder might still be yet to breakout – but with Antoine Morand coming in this upcoming season, this is Dosties last chance.

Corey Tropp (12) attempts a between the legs play against the Colorado Eagles. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#12 – Corey Tropp: B-

Coming on board with the Gulls on a one year AHL deal signed in July of last year, Tropp – like Roy – probably didn’t have the kind of year he would have wanted. His numbers over the past two seasons have been marginally trending down compared to his first full year with the Gulls in 2016-2017 when he exploded for 54 points in 62 games. Last year he finished with 43 points in 50 games and this season he ended his campaign with 40 points in 55 games. He did manage to suit up for all but one of the Gulls 16 postseason games – notching 6 points in the process. Tropp brought a noticeably more mature attitude to his game this year as he turned the other cheek when opposing agitators tried to goad him on a more often-then-not basis. Embracing a more pronounced leadership role he seemed to understand that it wasn’t helping matters to get removed from games earlier than the scheduled finish time. All of that said – he is without a doubt one very important part of the heart and soul of this team and it would hurt to see him go elsewhere. Here is hoping he signs on for yet another year to keep his place as part of the leadership core.

Kalle Kossila (14) celebrates the first goal scored in the Gulls series clinching game six victory over the Bakersfield Condors. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#14 – Kalle Kossila: C+

I feel horrible giving Kalle this rating – but he is in the exact same situation as Roy. He – like Kevin – was counting on this year to finally make the big club on a more permanent basis but injury setbacks at the worst possible times put paid to that.

Kalle finished the year eighth on the team in scoring with 35 points in 44 games, with 0.8 points per game he was 5th overall on the team (not including Aberg, Blandisi and Terry) but it was huge drop off from his team-leading 54 points in 55 games last year. I wrote at the start of the year that if anyone was perfectly poised to take advantage of the Ducks sudden spat of injuries to start their 2018-2019 campaign, particularly the lengthy amount of time that Ryan Kesler would miss – it was the defensively responsible Kossila. But alas – Kossila was hurt himself and missed the first five games of the season as he recovered from hip surgery, he was not slated to return until Thanksgiving so the fact he came back a full month earlier than that may have foreshadowed his missing further time in January (12 games). During that span Ryan Kesler returned from his own off-season surgery so that when Kosilla eventually stayed in the line-up long enough to put a decent string of points together – there was no room on the now recovered Ducks roster to give him his shot. He did manage to get 8 games in with big club in November – getting a goal against Vancouver on Nov 21st.

It didn’t really feel like we saw the real Kossila until the very tail end of the Gulls season when he memorably scored an impossible goal-line angle goal in an important game with final-standings implications, he had 7 points in 16 playoff games but failed to really dominate the competition like he should have given his previous NHL experience.

Kossila is one of five Group 6 UFAs but I can see him re-signing with Anaheim or San Diego to give himself at least one more shot, he loves San Diego and this last year was a very unlucky off year.

Ben Street (15) battles with against the Roadrunners. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#15 – Ben Street: B

The veteran newcomer from the Detroit organization did not join San Diego until the 6th January – his first game of action for the Gulls coming against the Reign. He spent the first half of the year with the Ducks in a depth role getting 5 points in 21 games, when he eventually did get sent down he provided a steadying veteran presence and was a force on the forecheck as well as steady hand in the face-off dots.

He finished the year with 26 points in 32 games and provided a further 11 points in 16 playoff games.

Street is a restricted free agent and is likely to test the market to see if he can get any NHL offers based off of the long look he got with the Ducks to start the year.

Max Jones (16) brings the puck in against the Ontario Reign. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#16 – Max Jones: A

Facing doubts and questions over his ability to stay healthy, Jones proved a lot of nay-Sayers wrong in his first pro season.

The 2016 24th overall pick was another late comer to the Gulls as he recovered from a thumb injury causing him to miss the entirety of training camp and the first three games of the 2018-2019 season. When he did come back – it took him more than a few games to get into a groove but once he did he made it impossible for the Ducks brass to ignore his stellar play. He made his NHL debut January 17th against the Wild. From there he made a few trips back and forth between Anaheim and San Diego before the Ducks dealt a good portion of their existing forward core at the deadline which meant they had no choice but to keep him until their season ended April 5th. Returning Jones in time for the Gulls stretch run he sadly only saw 8 total postseason games, missing two games in the Bakersfield series and all but one of the Conference Finals against Chicago as he recovered from a speculated potential concussion suffered as a result of a cross-check to the head, though it may have also been a lower body strain related to the way he fell after the cross-check.

All said – he had relatively successful first pro season. Netting 29 points in 43 games for the Gulls, 4 points in 8 games in the playoffs and 5 points in 30 games of NHL action. The questions remain over his ability to stay healthy but I think he proved to a lot of Ducks nation that he is most definitely not just another grinding power forward, there is so much more to his game than that. From reports it sounds like the Ducks would like him to start the season with the big club this year but with the competition on the wings I think we might see him for at least a brief period in San Diego.

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

#18 – Deven Sideroff: D

It was a rough second year for the former Kamloops Blazer. The Ducks 2015 3rd round pick saw just 20 games of action in a year that he desperately needed to prove himself after a lackluster 8 points in 47 game rookie campaign.

He took full advantage of the injury bug afflicting both clubs to start the year as he found a seemingly perfect niche on an energy line with Alex Dostie and Ben Thomson. A line that both the broadcast crew and myself noted as perhaps the most consistent during a down stretch while the Gulls were missing some key skill players. Then as both clubs got players back and Eakins broke up the line, Sideroff found himself doing whatever he could just to stay in the lineup. Unfortunately and perhaps in an act of absolute desperation he engaged in a fight at the end of the first period of a game against the Reign just before Christmas. He broke his hand in the bout and was out for the rest of the season.

He had 6 points in 20 games and will need to exponentially improve upon those numbers in this upcoming season, the final year of his entry level contract.

Troy Terry (19) celebrates a goal vs the Colorado Eagles. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#19 – Troy Terry: A+

Gulls fans might be forgiven for forgetting about Terry, he was like that cool kid that came to the party, did a keg-stand and then left.

What they might remember is that he went on an eleven game point streak starting with a 3 point night in his first game with the Gulls. He finished the year with 41 points in 41 games and put together 13 points in 32 games with the Ducks. Sadly he suffered a broken foot blocking a shot in the Ducks second to last game of action and was due to rejoin the Gulls in the Calder Cup Finals had they made it that far. If he had been available from the beginning of the final stretch drive, who knows what could have been.

He is more than likely spending the entire year with the Ducks this season so I would not expect to see him back in San Diego.

Ben Thomson (21) battles against the Bakersfield Condors. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#21 – Ben Thomson: B

Like Street, the newcomer from the Devils organization provided a steadying veteran presence and as mentioned above, was part of one of the most consistent lines of the season before it was broken up due to excess personnel. From there he languished on the sidelines – knowing his role as the energy guy and making sporadic appearances in the line-up as Dallas Eakins attempted to keep players fresh.

He ended the year seeing 53 games of action and scoring 13 points. He was on a one year deal signed with the Gulls and I cannot see it likely he is brought back.

Sam Steel (23) skates in action against the Tuscon Roadrunners. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#23 – Sam Steel: A

Steel started the year with the weight of an entire fanbase on his shoulders as he skated for the Ducks in the first thirteen games of the season, totaling just three points in the process. You could visibly see the confidence evaporating from him at an alarming rate. Thankfully the Ducks assigned him to the Gulls at the end of October and although he did not immediately find his game, he did little by little, get his confidence back.

By years end he had compiled 41 points in 53 games for the Gulls and lead all rookies in scoring in the playoffs at one point – eventually finishing 13th overall in postseason scoring and fourth among rookies with 13 points in 16 games. Rightfully reclaiming his spot as the Ducks most talked about prospect (or at least was until the recent drafting of Zegras) and likely being one of the main catalysts surrounding some roster shifts and management pointing the team in a determinedly more useful direction. He has been ticketed as the Ducks second line center for the 2019-2020 season so barring a further setback in confidence, it is unlikely the Gulls are going to see much of him this year.

Sam Carrick (25) of the Gulls battles the Road Runners during action. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#23 – Sam Carrick: A+

This rating is bittersweet. Sam Carrick was by far and above the best and most consistent Gull all season. He was my vote for the Gulls MVP of the year. He took over the Captaincy duties during Megnas call-up and he guided the Gulls out of not one but two slumps during the 2018-2019 season.

He lead the team in scoring, scoring 61 points in 61 games, breaking career highs in goals (32), assists (29) and points while also earning a brief call-up to the Ducks where he got one assist in six games.

He continued to carry the Gulls in the playoffs, providing 14 points in 16 games including one game winning goal. He is a UFA having completed the two year extension he signed with the Ducks in 2017 and is rumored to have signed in Switzerland. I am hoping that is not true but if it is I cannot blame him for trying a different route in giving his NHL career one last shot.

Luke Gazdic (26) celebrates a goal vs the Stockton Heat. Credit San Diego Gulls

#26 – Luke Gazdic: C-

Gazdic was signed to provide grit, veteran leadership and as a disincentive for opposing teams to pick on some of the Gulls smaller players. He did that and he did it well but only saw just 20 games of action in doing so. In that span he scored 3 goals and notched an additional 4 assists while racking up 39 penalty minutes. I am not sure if we see Gazdic back next year, there will always be a need for an enforcer and veteran leadership role required on the team but Corey Tropp filled that last year and if he comes back, I don’t see how Gazdic fits.

Adam Cracknell (27) nets the shootout winner against the San Jose Barracuda. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#27 – Adam Cracknell: A

Following almost the exact same script as the Eric Fehr story last season, Cracknell joined the Gulls during a low point in the season to almost single-handedly turn their fortunes around. However; as Fehr was a loan from the Leafs, this time the Ducks learned their lesson and acquired Cracknell via trade – sending Steve Oleskey to Toronto in return.

Cracknell made an instant impact, getting the game winning shootout goal in a victory over the Barracuda in his first game. He then went on to offer both offensive and defensive contributions across whatever line combination Eakins put him on – the most effective of which was his pairing with Max Comtois in the playoffs after the Black Ace joined the Gulls at the conclusion of his own Junior playoff run.

On the year he had 38 points in 46 games, with four game winning goals. He also saw two games with the Ducks where he was scoreless. He was one of the most important players for the Gulls on their playoff run, leading the team in scoring with 16 points in 15 games. Eventually finishing fourth overall in the entire playoff scoring race.

He is an unrestricted free agent and given his strong play in the postseason – may look to turn that into a new contract elsewhere much like Fehr did with the Wild last season. But he also had a child during his run with the Gulls and here is hoping he loved San Diego enough to stay on as a guiding mentor.

Justin Kloos (28) take a puck around San Jose netminder during action with the Barracuda. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#28 – Justin Kloos: B+

Another newcomer to the Gulls and Ducks organisation, Kloos joined the Gulls just after the midway point in January via trade with the Wild. The Ducks (at the time) leading goal scorer as well as “non-compete” scapegoat Pontus Aberg was sent the other way. The Gulls had just faced Kloos and the Wild mere days prior to when he was sent to San Diego – he had been the leading scorer for the Minnesota affiliate at the time of the trade.

Kloos took a few games to get adjusted but once paired with fellow speedster Chase De Leo, he found his game once again and took off, putting up six points in six games.

Always reliable and a menace both on the forecheck as well as the penalty kill, Kloos became an important part of the Gulls stretch drive on a line with De Leo and Kossila. He finished the year third on the team in scoring with 45 points in 59 games, adding a further 9 points in 16 playoff games.

Due to become a restricted free agent come July 1st, Kloos has been issued a qualifying offer to ensure that. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do in a full year in a Gulls sweater this season.

Jack Kopacka (32) dives for a puck during play against the Stockton Heat. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#32 – Jack Kopacka: C+

In what was looking like a promising start to his pro-career, Jack Kopacka was yet another who had his year disjointed by injury. The 2016 4th round pick had 2 points in 3 games before going down with a freak lacerated wrist injury in a game against Ontario in October.

He did not return to the line up until the end of January and finished the year with 14 points in 32 games, struggling to get in the line-up in the final stretch and playoff run as he lost his spot to Max Comtois and the returned-from-injury Kevin Roy. He did well with what sporadic time he could get in the postseason and managed a 3 points in 6 game campaign.

Kopacka has a knack for finding the soft areas but also has surprising speed for a big man, there is a reason why I have him on my drinking game as a compulsory drink anytime he gets a breakaway.

He made an early impression to start the year and finished the year as strong as he could amidst strong competition. Next year look for him to take on a higher role in the Gulls line up as the likes of Terry, Jones and Steel graduate to full time Ducks. He is my dark-horse to surprise a lot of doubters in 2019-2020.

Matt Berry (38) takes a shot in against the San Jose Barracuda. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#38 – Matt Berry: C

Matt Berry is a warrior. Say whatever you will about him, he does not back down from anything, at all of 5’10”. When both the Ducks and Gulls were afflicted by injury bugs to start the year, he took his chance and ran with it. Joining the team as one of many ECHL tryouts on a PTO during desperate times, earning Eakins trust and playing in a grinding role on the bottom six. Going to the dirty areas, crashing the net to open up lanes, pestering and wearing down opposing defenses – Berry did it all. As players slowly returned to the line-up and tryouts were returned to their respective ECHL squads, Berry was the last man standing. Getting the stamp of approval when he was signed to a Standard Player Contract with the Gulls in January.

He ended the year with 18 points in 42 games and saw an additional 6 playoff games, getting 2 points in that span. Now that Eakins has moved up to the Ducks it remains to be seen whether Berry will be brought back once again, but I think he proved last year that he is a serviceable depth player that is more help than hindrance.

Kiefer Sherwood (39) scores the game winning goal in overtime of Game 1 against the San Jose Barracuda. Credit San Diego Gulls.

#39 – Kiefer Sherwood: A

Perhaps the biggest surprise of 2018-2019, Sherwood had a huge year that began with a training camp that turned more than heads.

Spending the first 50 games of the year with the Ducks, Sherwood was the last man standing of all the Ducks youngsters given a shot at the NHL in their first pro year. He totaled 12 points in Anaheim before eventually getting sent to the Gulls in January. He would bounce back and forth between San Diego and Anaheim as a bubble player that management clearly trusted with NHL minutes. On the year he had 18 points in 29 games for the Gulls while proving to be a force on the penalty kill, giving opposing teams fits on the man-advantage and embarrassing their attempts to come through the neutral zone.

He was clearly NHL-proven as the playoffs wore on, breaking up attacks under pressure and leading counter rushes, while once again single-handedly destroying opposing teams power play attempts. He had 8 points in 16 postseason games, finishing 8th on the team in scoring.

The Ducks have made room on the wing by buying out Corey Perry but competition will still be fierce so I think you can expect to see some of Sherwood with the Gulls next season, but likely not the full year.

That’s it for the forwards, tune in over the coming weeks for the Defense and Goaltending.