Former Canucks flourish in Southern California
Kesler a team-best plus-nine rating; Bieksa averaging more than 20 minutes a game
The Manitoba Moose reunion is working for the Anaheim Ducks.
Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle was behind the Moose bench in 2003-04 when current Ducks veterans Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa were up-and-comers for the then-Vancouver Canucks AHL affiliate.
Kesler, 32, has particularly flourished with Carlyle at the helm this year. Going into the game against the Canucks Thursday, Kesler had a team-best plus-nine rating, averaging 21 minutes, 24 seconds of ice time a night.
He came into the game with eight goals. That puts him on pace for 28 this season; he hasn’t been over 25 since netting 41 for the Canucks during their 2010-11 campaign.
He also went into Thursday leading the NHL in faceoff wins (310) while ranking fifth in winning percentage (59.8 per cent) among players with at least 100 faceoffs.
“I had a relationship with Kes a long time ago … both him and Bieksa,” Carlyle said after Anaheim’s morning skate.
“They were both pretty good hockey players for me. They played very well for me in the lockout year.
“I would describe them as true pros. They help sell your program, for sure.”
Kesler’s first eight goals of the season came on 54 shots, which works out to a 14.8-per-cent success rate. He hasn’t been in that range since that 41-goal campaign when he connected on 15.8 per cent of chances.
He bagged 21 goals in 79 games last season for the Ducks on 164 shots, on 12.8 per cent of his attempts. He came into Thursday as a career 11.7-per-cent shooter in 838 NHL games.
“I work on my shot, like everyone else in the league,” he said, shrugging. “I’m not really doing anything different this year.
“Pucks are just going in for me right now.”
Kesler said he likes the way the Ducks were trending.
“We have to trust our systems. The coaches do a good job of putting a game plan together.”
Bieksa, 35, meanwhile, was averaging 20:35 of ice time a night for Anaheim going into Thursday and had an even rating. He had one goal to date.
He spent considerable time before the morning skate holding court with former Canucks teammates and staff in the hallway between the two dressing rooms.
“These are always good trips,” Bieksa said.
“It’s good to be back in Vancouver.”