It is soooo hard to write about this team after they lose a few games.  After the November they’ve had, it’s damn near impossible.

I’m trying my hardest to stay positive.  Even Mini doesn’t want to officially give up on them…until December.

For the past few seasons, I’ve been writing about what the Ducks have to be thankful for (2009, 2010).  If you can imagine how difficult it is to write a post about how the Ducks have been playing recently, just take a gander at how hard it is to come up with something to be thankful for!

In recent years one thing has been a constant for Anaheim; Corey Perry’s presence in the Ducks line-up has been unparalleled, understandably so.  However, in the early parts of the 2011-12 NHL season, it seems Perry won’t be making this years list of things the Ducks can be thankful for.

Worse yet, I can barely think of any one thing the Ducks have to be grateful for thus far, but I’ll give it a shot anyway.

So here’s your helping of dry turkey and burnt rolls.  Sorry, we’re out of gravy, drive and determination.

Those 6 wins – Somehow, remarkably, Anaheim has managed to win some games.  If you’ve seen them play recently and, believe me, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve turned the TV off a few times, you know that “winning” isn’t exactly a reason to watch Ducks hockey.  A season that, at one point, looked like it was going to turn into a successful campaign has since plummeted into the dark bowels of the Earth…and the Ducks should be thankful that at sometime early on in this season they did in fact know how to win.

Jonas Hiller, healthy – Not so fast, I didn’t say, Jonas Hiller the all-star!  I’m simply thankful the guy is healthy and stronger than he was at the end of last season. He may not be playing like the millions we’re giving him, and he’s not alone on that, but at least he’s ABLE to play.  Plus, the Ducks may be ugly, but his Movember helmet is still badass.

Lubomir Visnovsky got hurt – The flip side to seeing a healthy player is seeing one get sidelined? Yes.  I know it seems crazy, and I’d never wish an injury on anyone, but the Ducks needed Lubomir Visnovsky to sit out a few games and get his head back on straight.  He clearly needed some rest and rehabilitation for more than a few broken fingers.  Not that his return to the line-up will create the magic the Ducks need to win, but maybe it’ll give Visnovksy a great chance to hit that re-start button.  Maybe we should be thankful for a few more injuries?  Feel like breaking a toe Corey Perry?  Ryan Getzlaf?  Entire Anaheim Ducks Roster?  Anyone?

Atlanta Thrashers turned Winnipeg Jets – Quite simply, I am so thankful that I have a crappy team that plays just 20 minutes away from my house 6 months a year.  They may be ugly, undisciplined and unmotivated…but I have a hockey team nearby.  Yea, okay, I have two…but I’ll never embrace those fools.

Sidney Crosby – Yes, that’s right.  Since this year’s list of reasons to be thankful include a bunch of healthy, injured and available hockey players, this is one that EVERY hockey fan should be grateful for.  The return of Sid the Kid (are they still calling him that?).  No doubt, the guy is incredible.  Don’t like the overly excessive coverage of one player?  I understand, but make sure you understand why he’s getting all of that coverage to being with.  The guy is incredible and he’s what this league is all about. He is this generations Wayne Gretzky.  Yes, I said it and we are lucky to have him healthy again. He may never be the overall player Gretzky was and he may never have the numbers Gretzky has, but he is by and far the best the NHL has seen in quite some time.  So stop hating and embrace the guy.  Be thankful he was able to step onto the ice again and hope he’s still skating around for a long long time to come.

Happy Thanksgiving Hockey Fans!

GO DUCKS!!!

SK