Speculation: 2022-23 Management/Coaching/Ownership

[Leonardo87]

I thought we'd be talking about our roster construction and how fast both Rico and Silf have declined in usefulness. It's only two games, but I'm getting saddened day by day.

It really is unfortunate, yeah it’s only been 2 games but both guys have already been demoted, and rightfully so. These guys are supposed to be the vet support the kids need yet they are anchoring them.

 

[bsu]

It really is unfortunate, yeah it’s only been 2 games but both guys have already been demoted, and rightfully so. These guys are supposed to be the vet support the kids need yet they are anchoring them.

Henrique played like this previously and then somehow started trying again. I hope that happens but idk if he has it in him with this team. He was a good piece for Terry and Zegras last year but this year it just looks like he can careless.

I thought we'd be talking about our roster construction and how fast both Rico and Silf have declined in usefulness. It's only two games, but I'm getting saddened day by day.

Instead, we're dealing with hypotheticals about a Zegras extension where the goal post is often moved just to make one feel better about not being wrong. GM Verbeek isn't going to deal with contract extensions right now. There really isn't any more discussion to be had, so why have it? Our GM has far more pressing problems at the moment.

We could talk about that but Verbeek said he's content with our roster. I don't see him making any huge splashes until the TDL with Klingberg and possibly Gibson and even so those will be futures not now pieces. If he was going to add grit to the lineup he had plenty of cap space and assets (draft picks) this off-season. I think this is what we are going to be rolling with, maybe a couple minor moves but nothing of substance. It's a rebuild year and it's going to be painful just like post-TDL last year. Hopefully Zegras, Terry, McTavish, Drysdale can develop in this environment and it doesn't stunt anything. Drysdale looks like last year didn't do him any favors defensively thus far but McTavish looks better with pace. It's basically sink or swim with our young players because none of our vets are doing much.

It's funny how when we first got Verbeek we all thought he was going to build a hard working gritty team (because that's how we played) but we ended up with this team.

 

[bsu]

another link and some interesting UFAs

Report: NHL salary cap could increase nearly $10M by 2025-26 season

The NHL is preparing for a significant salary cap increase over the next three seasons, sources told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Rory Boylen.Teams reportedly received projections of the approximate salary cap through 2025-26. These values aren't guarantees but reflect the league's...

www.thescore.com

By then I'm hoping at least 1 of Drysdale, Mintyukov, Zellweger become a STUD top 2 defensemen and a between Warren, Luneau, Thrun, Helleson, LaCombe etc. become at least solid NHL defensemen. At least one of Tracey, Gaucher, Perreault become a top 6 forward. Imagine growth from Terry/Zegras/McTavish plus adding someone like Matthews That's around the year I think we will start making playoffs and re-identify ourselves as a solid team year in and year out like we did when we won the 5*? (I think) division championships in a row. Our youth will be entering their primes around that time.

 

[DavidBL]

Henrique played like this previously and then somehow started trying again. I hope that happens but idk if he has it in him with this team. He was a good piece for Terry and Zegras last year but this year it just looks like he can careless.


We could talk about that but Verbeek said he's content with our roster. I don't see him making any huge splashes until the TDL with Klingberg and possibly Gibson and even so those will be futures not now pieces. If he was going to add grit to the lineup he had plenty of cap space and assets (draft picks) this off-season. I think this is what we are going to be rolling with, maybe a couple minor moves but nothing of substance. It's a rebuild year and it's going to be painful just like post-TDL last year. Hopefully Zegras, Terry, McTavish, Drysdale can develop in this environment and it doesn't stunt anything. Drysdale looks like last year didn't do him any favors defensively thus far but McTavish looks better with pace. It's basically sink or swim with our young players because none of our vets are doing much.

It's funny how when we first got Verbeek we all thought he was going to build a hard working gritty team (because that's how we played) but we ended up with this team.

Honestly no one on entire team seems to care so I can't single anyone out ATM.

 

[bsu]

Honestly no one on entire team seems to care so I can't single anyone out ATM.

Touché

If we can get a stud forward in this draft and take some cap dumps for more picks (on top of getting assets for hopefully Klingberg and maybe Comtois/Gibson). We will be in good shape we just got to suffer through this year and maybe some of next.

 

[pbgoalie]

If PV has a coach in mind that comes available, it will happen then.

But Eakins has been handed a pretty bad hand in his rosters to be fair.

Last year, as bad as they were, they almost always played with effort to the end.

But our organization has to look at long term results now.
Amateur observations from FAR outside

We may have broken Gibson, an other worldly prospect and player

Fowler has been good, but has always seemed “not quite what is possible”

We have ridiculous injury history.

We had the defense prospect pool that was the envy of the league and never did much of anything

I’m worried that our floundering will cost us kids like Terry and Z because we just aren’t getting anywhere

 

[Leonardo87]

Henrique played like this previously and then somehow started trying again. I hope that happens but idk if he has it in him with this team. He was a good piece for Terry and Zegras last year but this year it just looks like he can careless.

Yeah it’s disappointing, but like you said, hopefully he starts putting an effort again, and plays like he did last season.

Most of the team has looked like shit with little to no effort, except for the Strome line. So I’m hoping it’s just a team thing and are just slow out of the gate. I am just finding it very hard to believe they will be like this all season. Not expecting anything close to playoffs but at least a half decent team that is entertaining.

 

[bsu]

If PV has a coach in mind that comes available, it will happen then.

But Eakins has been handed a pretty bad hand in his rosters to be fair.

Last year, as bad as they were, they almost always played with effort to the end.

But our organization has to look at long term results now.
Amateur observations from FAR outside

We may have broken Gibson, an other worldly prospect and player

Fowler has been good, but has always seemed “not quite what is possible”

We have ridiculous injury history.

We had the defense prospect pool that was the envy of the league and never did much of anything

I’m worried that our floundering will cost us kids like Terry and Z because we just aren’t getting anywhere

Yeah.... as a coach losing AND getting your ass kicked physically every game is very demoralizing and you have to be a great coach to keep people motivated in situations like that.

Yeah it’s disappointing, but like you said, hopefully he starts putting an effort again, and plays like he did last season.

Most of the team has looked like shit with little to no effort, except for the Strome line. So I’m hoping it’s just a team thing and are just slow out of the gate. I am just finding it very hard to believe they will be like this all season. Not expecting anything close to playoffs but at least a half decent team that is entertaining.

Henrique is definitely useful if he puts effort in.... I just don't know if we keep getting dominated like this if he will flick the switch again, same with Gibson.

What's your prediction for Rangers vs Ducks Monday? lol going to be fun for you to see both playing at least.

 

[bsu]

 

[Ducks DVM]

Attack the post, not the poster.

Don’t flame.

Don’t troll.

Don’t feed the troll.

Baiting is also trolling.

 

[duckpuck]

Isn't the cap only expected to go up like $1 million next year? I don't see that being a significant difference. Salaries sure, but that's 2-3 years away I believe.

Yes, it is only going up $1 million. The cap going up argument is overblown.

The people I've been talking to about the cap increase have been talking about next year, so that's what I've been referencing as well.

Gary Bettman Confirms Slow NHL Salary Cap Climb Over the Next 2-3 Years - Bleacher Nation

During the NHL Draft, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke with the NHL's Sirius/XM Radio Network and confirmed it would be two or three more years until the cap could resume climbing at a more aggressive pace.

www.bleachernation.com

This is from bettman's mouth. $1 million increase definite next season, thereon after the increases are speculative.

I never said "next year". I said the cap is going up which it is projected to do significantly in 2024-25 or 2025-26 at the latest. Putting Zegras closer to that time line makes it more likely he (and other players) will start factoring that increase into their demand.

Neither of you answered my question - is there any reason not to sign Trevor Zegras to an 8 year deal now (assuming he's willing to do so)? Nothing that happens this year, short of a career ending injury (god forbid), would change that. So you're better off doing it, gaining certainty, avoiding the player getting upset, etc. Basically, the same reason other teams have signed long term deals with their young guys, which is the trend in the NHL. Verbeek should be doing that. Again, I can see more logic in holding off on Terry and Drysdale.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

I never said "next year". I said the cap is going up which it is projected to do significantly in 2024-25 or 2025-26 at the latest. Putting Zegras closer to that time line makes it more likely he (and other players) will start factoring that increase into their demand.

Neither of you answered my question - is there any reason not to sign Trevor Zegras to an 8 year deal now (assuming he's willing to do so)? Nothing that happens this year, short of a career ending injury (god forbid), would change that. So you're better off doing it, gaining certainty, avoiding the player getting upset, etc. Basically, the same reason other teams have signed long term deals with their young guys, which is the trend in the NHL. Verbeek should be doing that. Again, I can see more logic in holding off on Terry and Drysdale.

Why do you think players aren't already factoring that in to their demands? Do you think there's some calendar magic that prevents them or their agents from relying on official or unofficial projections when they come up with numbers? We can't talk about this yet, it's two years away! What does waiting until next year have to do with it.

 

[duckpuck]

Why do you think players aren't already factoring that in to their demands? Do you think there's some calendar magic that prevents them or their agents from relying on official or unofficial projections when they come up with numbers? We can't talk about this yet, it's two years away! What does waiting until next year have to do with it.

Maybe the players and their agents are, though the market is pretty firmly established for the players who have signed (with Jack Hughes being at the top end). But this entire discussion started because Verbeek (not Zegras or his agent) said he was not interested in pursuing discussions with Zegras or Terry now. That is what I (and others here) am commenting on - Verbeek's apparent desire to push this down the road.

 

[Sean Garrity]

I never said "next year". I said the cap is going up which it is projected to do significantly in 2024-25 or 2025-26 at the latest. Putting Zegras closer to that time line makes it more likely he (and other players) will start factoring that increase into their demand.

Neither of you answered my question - is there any reason not to sign Trevor Zegras to an 8 year deal now (assuming he's willing to do so)? Nothing that happens this year, short of a career ending injury (god forbid), would change that. So you're better off doing it, gaining certainty, avoiding the player getting upset, etc. Basically, the same reason other teams have signed long term deals with their young guys, which is the trend in the NHL. Verbeek should be doing that. Again, I can see more logic in holding off on Terry and Drysdale.

I may not agree with it 100%, but Verbeek did answer those questions and it's a logical explanation. He stated he wanted the players (Z, Terry and JD) to play the year without distraction and that they'll discuss when the time is appropriate (paraphrasing). Then he said, "We're going to have to see how their years go this year, and then obviously, we're going to have to get some new contracts out," Verbeek said. "Having flexibility with the cap is vital moving ahead. At the end of the day, there's only so much money to go around. We have to make sure we can all fit it in."

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

Maybe the players and their agents are, though the market is pretty firmly established for the players who have signed (with Jack Hughes being at the top end). But this entire discussion started because Verbeek (not Zegras or his agent) said he was not interested in pursuing discussions with Zegras or Terry now. That is what I (and others here) am commenting on - Verbeek's apparent desire to push this down the road.

This isn't how I would phrase it. I'm being a little knit-picky here, but I think it's important to remind everyone the intent behind this decision is to let the players focus on hockey for the year. It's one less distraction.

Here's the full quote for context:

I doubt we'll ever be able to truly know whether or not this justification is correct in hindsight. But at least it makes sense on a pragmatic level.

Also, I'm having trouble finding it but I believe in a separate interview Verbeek said something along the lines of "obviously we'll check in with their agents throughout the year." So I don't get the impression he's closed off negotiations completely.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

It really is unfortunate, yeah it’s only been 2 games but both guys have already been demoted, and rightfully so. These guys are supposed to be the vet support the kids need yet they are anchoring them.

I wonder if it finally hit both Rico and Silf about losing a lot of leaders in Getz, Lindholm, Manson, and Des as well as losing long time teammate Rakell?

Verbeek not giving out a C already implies all the vets are out, including Fowler. That's pretty devastating to know the GM only cares about the far future if you're one of the older vets.

Eakins needs to get into their heads b/c it feels like COVID season all over again for Rico. As for Silf, I have no idea, but I do see him hustling out there, especially on the PK unit... it's just meh right now. But I think Lundy is part of the "meh-ness" too. I was expecting more out of Lundy than Silf.

 

[Deuce22]

I wonder if it finally hit both Rico and Silf about losing a lot of leaders in Getz, Lindholm, Manson, and Des as well as losing long time teammate Rakell?

Verbeek not giving out a C already implies all the vets are out, including Fowler. That's pretty devastating to know the GM only cares about the far future if you're one of the older vets.

Eakins needs to get into their heads b/c it feels like COVID season all over again for Rico. As for Silf, I have no idea, but I do see him hustling out there, especially on the PK unit... it's just meh right now. But I think Lundy is part of the "meh-ness" too. I was expecting more out of Lundy than Silf.

Do you see an "older vet" who has shown the type of leadership to be given the C? I think the C needs to be earned, not bestowed to keep some players happy.

 

[Duck Off]

I wonder if it finally hit both Rico and Silf about losing a lot of leaders in Getz, Lindholm, Manson, and Des as well as losing long time teammate Rakell?

Verbeek not giving out a C already implies all the vets are out, including Fowler. That's pretty devastating to know the GM only cares about the far future if you're one of the older vets.

Eakins needs to get into their heads b/c it feels like COVID season all over again for Rico. As for Silf, I have no idea, but I do see him hustling out there, especially on the PK unit... it's just meh right now. But I think Lundy is part of the "meh-ness" too. I was expecting more out of Lundy than Silf.

Maybe it’s just me but I don’t think the vets read that much into the captaincy thing as you’re implying. If anything, it might be worse to try and follow in Getz’s footsteps (imo anyway). I don’t disagree with the vets being depressed about us clearly going into the rebuild, but that’s more about the trades you mentioned, not the captaincy. I believe It’s fairly normal to not immediately name the next captain after one has had it for so long.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Maybe it’s just me but I don’t think the vets read that much into the captaincy thing as you’re implying. If anything, it might be worse to try and follow in Getz’s footsteps (imo anyway). I don’t disagree with the vets being depressed about us clearly going into the rebuild, but that’s more about the trades you mentioned, not the captaincy. I believe It’s fairly normal to not immediately name the next captain after one has had it for so long.

Rico got depressed. That's why he got waived during the COVID season.

Do you see an "older vet" who has shown the type of leadership to be given the C? I think the C needs to be earned, not bestowed to keep some players happy.

Fowler could be given the C.

How can the vets earn the C when the GM already excluded them? Even Strome can't earn the C.

 

[bsu]

The only option on this team for captain is Terry right now. If you don't want him to be captain than run A's until someone else steps it up and becomes a vocal leader. Terry is so well spoken and obviously learned alot from grandpa Getz. He also plays his ass off.

 

[70sSanO]

I don't want to lose Zegras or Terry to another team, but I'm not that upset that we haven't locked them in at a "bargain" contract.

If they really don't want to be on this team in a couple years they would hate it even more if they felt underpaid and going nowhere. And I don't want them if they are only here because they are stuck.

I've always thought Rakell regretted that 6 year contract with the Ducks. I have no idea if it effected his production, but he eventually played down to it.

John

 

[GunnarStahl]

The only option on this team for captain is Terry right now. If you don't want him to be captain than run A's until someone else steps it up and becomes a vocal leader. Terry is so well spoken and obviously learned alot from grandpa Getz. He also plays his ass off.

As of right now if I had to guess who gets given the C next offseason I think it would be Terry, but at the same time if McTavish had a Calder finalist level season I don’t think it would be unlikely he gets the C. Maybe would have to wait another year, but I feel like the team is waiting for him.

 

[Deuce22]

Rico got depressed. That's why he got waived during the COVID season.



Fowler could be given the C.

How can the vets earn the C when the GM already excluded them? Even Strome can't earn the C.

I think Verbeek excluded them because he doesn't see them as leaders.

 

[bsu]

If Fowler gets the "C" then our leadership has failed us.

 

[Rybread86]

Verbeek not giving out a C already implies all the vets are out, including Fowler. That's pretty devastating to know the GM only cares about the far future if you're one of the older vets.

I dont read into it like that. I can understand why you and others might take it that way though.

We just had our Captain of 12 years retire, this is a team in transition and you dont want to just be handing the Captaincy to just anyone especially if they might be around for long (at least, thats how I feel). Theere is no rush. You want to make sure you are giving it to the right person who is ready for it and not just giving it to a temporary guy.

Fowler could be the guy. But take some time and see who steps up in Getzlafs absence, see who controls the room, see who guys start turning to.

I just dont see the C as being something you just throw around. Let it be earned and since Getzlaf was the dude for the past 12 years, it might take sometime for that new guy to take hold.