I would like to start off saying that I am HUGE Ducks fan, since the inception, I have loved them and the game of hockey. I am also defensive about them as well and I am sure that will come off in what you read, but I will try my best to open minded and not think from my perspective only. So, yea…

This team has been driven down by bad management from day one. In steps the Samueli's, from right here in Orange County, swoop the team up and bring new life to the team. These guys don’t mess around, they went right after the best G.M. in hockey for sure and better then some of the top G.M.'s in other sports. Sign Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne in the same off-season, slash the cancer from roster and getting way better in return. Francois Beauchemin, Todd Marchant, Sean O'Donnell and Jeff Friesen…decent pick-ups if you ask me.

Lets start off with Todd Marchant, because he is quickly becoming one of my favorite players on the team and in the league. The guy plays hockey the right way, he gives it and takes it. He is 5'10, 180lbs, not much of a huge presence in size. But he is in front of the net, he is in the corners, mixing it up with everyone. The best part, he plays both sides of the puck well. He is an underrated scorer, he has great hands. He passes just as well. The best part is he can kill penalties for you, chew up minutes for you and be a threat on a penalty kill and he skates well.

Francois Beauchemin next, because this is a great thing too. So, we get a rookie who says he will work hard for his new team right away, that’s what he said, so he could stay up at this level. Then they pair him with Mr. Everything, Scott Niedermayer. If I had that opportunity, I would shut up and listen to everything and sponge it up. Looks like he did such a thing, he listened. Can you imagine how cool that would be, as a rookie you get to play with Scott Niedermayer, they should do that with everyone of the Ducks young defensemen. You want a big contract becoming a free agent? I would try my hardest to listen to everything he said.

I can go on about why am I so excited about this team, but that is another write up. I really cant wait for the season to start again, its so much better to watch this team then any other team before them. I remember the last couple of years, they would have a decent team. Good goalie, solid defense but always lacking an offensive punch. Check back to the 2003 finals against the Devils, how the hell did they get to game 7? This has always been what the franchise lacked, even now, they still lack the ability to dominate a game. I think the tides are turning though, I think they will be able to score more goals with the likes of the three big forwards, Penner, Getzlaf and Perry. Lupul will get his 30-35, Selanne will continue to put up points and so will McDonald, probably not as much as his contract year…

Brian Burke showed his magic this season and I knew we were in for a treat when he was brought in. I saw how Vancouver was transformed and I was so excited it was comming to my team. The future looks bright in Anaheim, I simply can't wait for the season to start. Soccer does not register in my mind and baseball…please someone help me get away from baseball!