Ducks: A 20-Year Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry Retrospective
Ducks: A 20-Year Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry Retrospective
An in-depth look at the careers of Ducks legends Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, 20 years after their selection in the 2003 Entry Draft.
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The Anaheim Ducks are 32 games into their landmark 30th season, which has been full of references to and bridges between the past, present, and future of this organization. It just so happens that the organization’s 30th birthday (2023) coincides with the 20th anniversary (2003) of the selections of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry – two franchise giants – in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Reflecting on their careers in Anaheim - their beginnings, the pinnacles of their success, their on-ice synergy, and more – seems like a good way to count down the final days of this significant year for the franchise. Let’s begin!
Perry’s contract buyout and Getzlaf’s retirement following the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons respectively ushered the organization fully into its post-Stanley Cup era. This transition signified a move and roster construction away from its mid-2010’s playoff contending roster (Cam Fowler is the only remaining player from that period) and zero on-ice connection to the organization’s 2007 Stanley Cup Championship. In recent seasons, management groups old and new for the Ducks have thoughtfully scouted, traded, and drafted, seeking to one day create the same levels of success that the dynamic Getzlaf-Perry duo brought to Orange County for 10-plus years.
Getzlaf and Perry Player Profiles
Much like Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne, the previous great duo for the Ducks, Getzlaf and Perry were the ultimate compliments to each other. They just clicked. Their styles of play meshed, their skills complimented each other perfectly, and they had chemistry that was hard to find.
Getzlaf was a big, mean, and powerful center. He had superb hands, and was an excellent facilitator. Always unselfish, even too much so at times, he was always patient, calm, and adept when the puck was on his stick. Consider him the facilitator.
Perry was also big and mean, not to mention strong and lanky, whose hockey gift was goal scoring. He utilized his big body, soft hands, and nose for the net to get himself in the right position. He had knack for pestering opposing defenses and goaltenders. Let’s call him the finisher.
Simply put, these two guys were power forwards with perfectly complimentary skillsets, which is why their names were called on draft day, nine picks apart, in the summer of 2003. They epitomized the “guys you hate unless they are you on your team” mantra, and this was for good reason. They were two relentless power forwards and immovable forces, in your face night after night, scoring, keeping the puck from you, making plays, and letting you know about it.
Becoming the Next Great Duo As Ducks Enter New Era
Drafting Getzlaf and Perry was just one of a series of major hockey-related personnel changes for the organization in the 2003 offseason. After falling to the Devils in the Stanley Cup Final, the team entered a period of transition that included the unfortunate departure of longtime captain Paul Kariya and free agent signings of Sergei Federov and Vaclav Prospal. These acquisitions were made with the objective to replace Kariya’s production and impact, and to keep the team in playoff contention after their surprise Cup run, but were short term and ultimately unsuccessful. After an underwhelming 2003-04 campaign, and lockout that washed out the 2004-05 season, the focus turned toward the future.
With an additional year of experience in the Canadian Hockey League during the lockout year, Getzlaf and Perry emerged from the lockout ready and eager to join a retooled Ducks roster that included recent free agent signings Scott Niedermayer and Selanne, and other young talent like Chris Kunitz, Andy McDonald, and Joffrey Lupul. Getzlaf and Perry outperformed expectations which is why each would only end up playing 17 and 19 games, respectively, for the Portland Pirates during the 2005-06 season before getting called up to be with the Ducks full-time. They wouldn’t skate in an American Hockey League game after that.
2005-10: The Early Years: A WCF Appearance, A Championship, Taking the Reins
These two never looked back after the early-season call-up in 2005. Rarely separated, they formed an effective partnership that provided physicality and scoring punch behind the skill and speed of McDonald, Selanne, and Kunitz. Getzlaf would record 39 points to Perry’s 25 in their rookie season of 2005-06, including an additional seven and three respectively in a surprise run to the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers. They lost that series in five games, bringing a rather swift ending to an impressive playoff, but the foundation for the duo, and the team, was set.
With the addition of Dustin Penner, one minor trade for Chris Pronger, and one year of experience under their belts, Getzlaf and Perry took a huge step forward in 2006-07, powering a second forward line that was physical, nasty, skilled, and effective. The ‘kid line’ was as dynamic a young line as the NHL has seen in recent memory, and they did it by grinding teams down with their puck possession, puck cycling, physicality, and efficiency on their way to a Stanley Cup championship. At the time, Dustin Penner, the third player on the line, was 24, while Getzlaf and Perry were 22. For that Ducks team, they were cogs in a well-oiled, high-functioning machine, but it wouldn’t be before long that these two players became the leaders and most important players for the franchise. Their early success turned them into stars, and laid the foundation for the high expectations that were set on them to keep the Ducks in the Stanley Cup conversation for the rest of their careers.
By 2010, Pronger and Niedermayer had left the franchise via trade and retirement, respectively. Selanne was constantly considering retirement as well. Getzlaf and Perry became the presumptive leaders of the team, with Getzlaf stepping into the role of captain, a title he held until his retirement in 2022.
The Mid-2010s: Ducks Dominate Pacific Division But Don’t Get Over the Hump
Getzlaf and Perry were focal points of a roster that dominated the Pacific Division and was a legitimate Stanley Cup contender from 2013-17. The players around them changed quite often, but these two led the charge. They may have had their best statistical seasons before this contending period (Getzlaf: 91 points in 2009; Perry: 99 points in 2011), but they played some of the best hockey of their careers during this stretch. It was the latter stages of their prime, and by then, they had done it all and seen it all. They knew how to play, how to win, how to lead. In the 2014 offseason, the Ducks acquire Ryan Kesler, who was the best complement as a second-line center that Getzlaf and Perry had during their tenure as Ducks.
The Ducks won the Pacific Division title each season from 2012-13 through 2016-17, never producing less than 100 standings points in a full season. Despite their status as legitimate contenders, postseason success didn’t come easy: they fell in the first or second round in three of those five years. Each of those series losses were notable because the Ducks blew 3-2 series leads (including game seven losses at home) in each of them. If there were a knock on Getlaf and Perry’s careers, this could be it. They were the leaders of a roster that was more than talented enough to win it all, and they weren’t getting it done.
This five-year run, however, did include two appearances in the Western Conference Final in 2015 (Chicago Blackhawks) and 2017 (Nashville Predators). These two playoff seasons were special for their excellent matchups. In 2015, Getzlaf and Perry led the Ducks past the Winnipeg Jets, and the Calgary Flames before falling to the mighty Blackhawks. In 2017, they would defeat the Flames again, then the Oilers, before losing a tough six-game battle against the Nashville Predators. Getzlaf and Perry were superb in these two playoff runs with 20 and 18 points, respectively, in 16 hard-fought, physical playoff games.
They produced electric moments, like the one above, and went toe-to-toe with some of the game’s best. The Western Conference was an absolute juggernaut at the time. You had perennial contenders like the prime and fully-loaded Los Angeles Kings and Blackhawks, up-and-comers like the Nashville Predators, and electric young rosters like the Edmonton Oilers. Through it all, Getzlaf, Perry, and the Ducks were always right there. They fell one game short many times and dealt with injuries in their 2017 run that makes you wonder what could have been if they were healthy enough or just won one more game.
Key Accomplishments by Both Guys in a Ducks Uniform
Both players brought us electric moments on the ice. Many of these moments are etched in Ducks history and hockey history. Let’s recap the on-ice accomplishments of the duo, starting with Perry.
In a Ducks uniform, Perry would record six 30-goal seasons, including an incredible 50-goal season. He had two additional seasons of 27 and 29 goals. He won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player for his 50-goal, 99-point season in 2010-11, during which he had an astounding 11 game-winning goals (a Ducks record). He sits at second overall in franchise goal-scoring behind only Teemu Selanne with 372 goals in a Ducks uniform. He was a part of eleven playoff appearances with the club, including their Western Conference Final appearances in 2006, 2007, 2015, and 2017, and of course their Stanley Cup championship in 2007. He also holds the franchise record for penalty minutes with 1110. Shocking? I think not.
Getzlaf, on the other hand, holds the following franchise records: total games played (1157), points (1019), and assists (737). His 66 assists in 2008-09 also set a franchise record. He captained the team for 11 seasons and appeared in three All-Star games. He, like Perry, appeared in the same playoff runs for the Ducks including their championship in 2007.
Perry Seeks Greener Pastures, Getzlaf Stays Put
Following their final playoff series, a five-game loss to the San Jose Sharks in the 2018 first round, the writing was on the wall for this team. Kesler was no longer the effective complementary force due to his injuries, and Getzlaf and Perry were no longer the duo that they were previously. They never really found an effective third running mate on their line, and the game was transitioning to a faster one. It just wasn’t their time anymore. That season was the Ducks’ last playoff appearance.
Special Mention: International Collaborations While Members of the Ducks
For a period of about 10 years, Getzlaf and Perry were regulars for Team Canada on the international stage. They brought home four gold medals in four international competitions together while representing the Ducks. They were key pieces of the following rosters: 2005 World Junior Championship, 2010 Olympics, 2014 Olympics, and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Each iteration of the team for these best-on-best tournaments was loaded. Filthy. Similar to what they brought every night to the Ducks, these two power forwards were a problem, as they brought strength, finesse, grit, and a little bit of sandpaper to a lineup absolutely littered with skill and speed. For 10 years, once a team tended to Sidney Crosby, Patrice Bergeron, Steven Stamkos, and others, out came Getzlaf and Perry to just batter and wear down the opposing defense. Just a handful to deal with. And they were mighty successful because of it. Getzlaf, Perry, and Team Canada brought home gold in each of those aforementioned tournaments.
Where Are They Now?
Getzlaf, while presumably enjoying retirement, re-joined the Ducks as a Coordinator of Player Development. Perry joined the Blackhawks for his 19th professional season, but only appeared in 16 games before being released for unacceptable workplace behavior. Perry recently admitted to personal struggles away from the rink and time may reveal if anything further is to come from an incident that will likely end his NHL career.
The Current Generation Has Big Skates to Fill
The year 2023 has been a mixed bag for the Ducks. Their on-ice play leaves a lot to be desired. They’re riddled with injuries. They can’t score consistently, and they currently sit near the bottom of the NHL standings. However, the roster is young, talented, and full of potential.
It has also been a year of reflection and celebration. In 30 years, there’s plenty to be joyful about: regular season success, playoff triumphs, franchise legends, iconic moments, and, perhaps most of all, a future worth looking forward to. Getzlaf and Perry played a big part in much of the success the franchise has enjoyed, and it won’t be long before we talk about the next great duo in Ducks history.
What do you think, Ducks fans? As the franchise reflects on its 30 years, what are your favorite moments? How about the best duo? We would love to hear all of your thoughts.
And sincerely, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!