Anaheim Ducks preview: First in Pacific

2013-14 results: 54-20-8, first in Pacific

Story line: GM Bob Murray targets problem areas

Arrivals: C Ryan Kesler (trade with Vancouver Canucks), C Nate Thompson (trade with Tampa Bay Lightning); LW Dany Heatley, D Clayton Stoner, G Jason LaBarbera (free agents)

Departures: C Nick Bonino, D Luca Sbisa (traded to Canucks); G Jonas Hiller (signed with Calgary Flames), C Matthieu Perreault (signed with Winnipeg Jets), C Daniel Winnik, D Stephane Robidas (signed with Toronto Maple Leafs); RW Teemu Selanne (retired); C Saku Koivu

Goaltending: Frederik Andersen, 24, (20-5-0, 2.29, .923) and John Gibson, 21, (3-0-0, 1.33, .954) are competing for the top job, with LaBarbera available if Gibson needs more seasoning. Andersen and Gibson are talented. The question is whether either is ready to be a No. 1 goalie.

Analysis: If the Ducks are to get past the defending champion Los Angeles Kings, they needed to be deeper and grittier at center. Murray addressed those issues in his offseason acquisitions. New No. 2 center Kesler is beastly and No. 3 Thompson plays a playoff-style checking game. The team's heart is the premium scoring tandem of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The Ducks led the league in scoring last season and should be in the top three this season. Cam Fowler leads a credible defense that includes Ben Lovejoy, Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen.

Breakthrough candidate: With his skating and offensive sparkle, LW Emerson Etem should be playing an expanded role. He had 31 goals between the American Hockey League and NHL last season.

Youngster to watch: Swedish C Rickard Rackell, 21, a 2011 first-round pick, had 37 points in 46 AHL games last season. He also has played 22 games with the Ducks.

What the team really needs: Heatley to be the perfect complement for Getzlaf and Perry. If the 6-4, 220-pound winger can return to the 25-goal level, this could be an extra large line like we haven't seen since the Philadelphia Flyers' Legion of Doom in 1995. Heatley was a 39-goal scorer five seasons ago.

Key question: Are the Ducks physical enough on defense? Murray added Stoner (6-4, 216), but they could use a top-four defenseman with added bite.

Forecast: The Ducks might have fewer points this season but could be better prepared to win a seven-game playoff series.

Top returning leaders

Goals: Corey Perry, 43

Assists: Ryan Getzlaf, 56

Points: Getzlaf, 87

Plus-minus: Perry, +32

Penalty minutes: Patrick Maroon, 101

Shots: Perry, 280