Speculation: 2022-23 Roster Thread Part II

[KaseMeOutside]

He’d have to be signed to an NHL contract and go through waivers, but yes please.

if they don't do it quickly he probably wouldn't make it thru waivers once injuries around the league pile up

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

Rocco is the kind of player the Ducks need right now. Maybe Verbeek thinks it's more important for him to be an example for the kids on San Diego instead?

Lack of roster flexibility is a good point too, @Ducks DVM

 

[anezthes]

Grant can be useful when he wants to be. However, like the rest of the team, he is (often annoyingly) soft. In the Tampa game, for example, he was skating towards one of their players (that was standing still in the neutral zone with the puck along the boards) and I thought for sure Grant would absolutely destroy him with a (clean) body check. Instead, he slows down and goes for a sweeping poke check. He also seemed to be suffering a bit from Henriqueitis in that game.

Do we really not have any players in the AHL willing to give 100% each shift? At least that would be less painful to watch.

 

[Firequacker]

Grant can be useful when he wants to be. However, like the rest of the team, he is (often annoyingly) soft. In the Tampa game, for example, he was skating towards one of their players (that was standing still in the neutral zone with the puck along the boards) and I thought for sure Grant would absolutely destroy him with a (clean) body check. Instead, he slows down and goes for a sweeping poke check. He also seemed to be suffering a bit from Henriqueitis in that game.

Do we really not have any players in the AHL willing to give 100% each shift? At least that would be less painful to watch.

On the other hand, he stole Kucherov's lunch money and set up a great chance when he could've just dumped the puck at the tail end of a 90-second shift, in direct contrast to Henrique and whatever that was on the one Lightning goal. Not sure I'd say he has Henriqueitis, Schrodinger's Grantzlaf has pretty much always been a thing.

In a broader sense, it's really hard to see the team softness as any individual player problem right now, IMO. Eakins has always shown a tendency to play things so safe it wraps around and becomes dangerous. Now he's feeling the heat (even without a mid-season firing in the cards, he has to know this is it) and the entire team is displaying an air of risk aversion to the point of detriment. Doesn't feel coincidental.

And if it is coaching, it could be falling harder on the players who are expected to be responsible and cover for others. Grant, albeit always inconsistent, has been more willing to make those hits in the recent past. The way Lundestrom seems to have taken a step back is more telling. And then there's the entire PK 'system', where they talk about needing to find a balance between caution and aggression but have erred on the side of aggression for what, maybe two plays the entire season.

 

[bsu]

I wonder what the plan for McTavish? Play the whole season chasing the puck and the Ducks barely having it? How can he develop his offensive game at the NHL level if he touches the puck less than 5 times a game. I'll assume he's on the Drysdale plan where we hope he figures it out in a shit situation. Developing in a losing environment, where the team has zero structure, where the vets coast and don't give a f***. Getting outshot 2x every game and whenever we finally get the puck for a one and done chance... then back to chasing. Seems good......

 

[Deuce22]

On the other hand, he stole Kucherov's lunch money and set up a great chance when he could've just dumped the puck at the tail end of a 90-second shift, in direct contrast to Henrique and whatever that was on the one Lightning goal. Not sure I'd say he has Henriqueitis, Schrodinger's Grantzlaf has pretty much always been a thing.

In a broader sense, it's really hard to see the team softness as any individual player problem right now, IMO. Eakins has always shown a tendency to play things so safe it wraps around and becomes dangerous. Now he's feeling the heat (even without a mid-season firing in the cards, he has to know this is it) and the entire team is displaying an air of risk aversion to the point of detriment. Doesn't feel coincidental.

And if it is coaching, it could be falling harder on the players who are expected to be responsible and cover for others. Grant, albeit always inconsistent, has been more willing to make those hits in the recent past. The way Lundestrom seems to have taken a step back is more telling. And then there's the entire PK 'system', where they talk about needing to find a balance between caution and aggression but have erred on the side of aggression for what, maybe two plays the entire season.

One of the reasons I have pushed back against the narrative that Eakins is good at developing young players is what you highlighted here. Not making a mistake (especially for young players) seems to be emphasized over being aggressive and making a play. This philosophy is especially apparent in close games and overtime. Vets, on the other hand, can turn the puck over time and again and still be "trusted" by this coach.

 

[Firequacker]

One of the reasons I have pushed back against the narrative that Eakins is good at developing young players is what you highlighted here. Not making a mistake (especially for young players) seems to be emphasized over being aggressive and making a play. This philosophy is especially apparent in close games and overtime. Vets, on the other hand, can turn the puck over time and again and still be "trusted" by this coach.

I remember an article a while back with Terry talking about his development at that time. He said a huge step was the coach talking to him and telling him to stop freaking out about mistakes, even stop worrying about potentially being sent back down to the Gulls (as he eventually was). He had to get out of his own head to find his game and the coach successfully got him to buy into that idea.

I genuinely can't recall how long ago that was or which coach it was who was reassuring him, only the principle. But the principle is something that, from the outside, appears not all that much in force these days.

 

[Deuce22]

I remember an article a while back with Terry talking about his development at that time. He said a huge step was the coach talking to him and telling him to stop freaking out about mistakes, even stop worrying about potentially being sent back down to the Gulls (as he eventually was). He had to get out of his own head to find his game and the coach successfully got him to buy into that idea.

I genuinely can't recall how long ago that was or which coach it was who was reassuring him, only the principle. But the principle is something that, from the outside, appears not all that much in force these days.

I thought that Drysdale looked more aggressive and freed up last game. Hopefully this will continue.

 

[bsu]

I remember an article a while back with Terry talking about his development at that time. He said a huge step was the coach talking to him and telling him to stop freaking out about mistakes, even stop worrying about potentially being sent back down to the Gulls (as he eventually was). He had to get out of his own head to find his game and the coach successfully got him to buy into that idea.

I genuinely can't recall how long ago that was or which coach it was who was reassuring him, only the principle. But the principle is something that, from the outside, appears not all that much in force these days.

Eakins has told the whole team stop worrying about making mistakes.... We see it nightly

 

[Rybread86]

I wonder what the plan for McTavish? Play the whole season chasing the puck and the Ducks barely having it? How can he develop his offensive game at the NHL level if he touches the puck less than 5 times a game. I'll assume he's on the Drysdale plan where we hope he figures it out in a shit situation. Developing in a losing environment, where the team has zero structure, where the vets coast and don't give a f***. Getting outshot 2x every game and whenever we finally get the puck for a one and done chance... then back to chasing. Seems good......

Hold on. This kid has done nothing but win and be successful. A little disappointment and challenge isnt going to kill the kids development. Some adversity is good.

Im a little tired of this notion that these kids are all so soft that they will be ruined by a few rough seasons. If we have really reached that point in sports, then screw it, its the beginning of the end anyways. OR we hope these kids have a thicker skin than we give them credit for and they LEARN from the bad times. Tell you what, if anything, now is the time for a kid like McT to step up, find his game and his voice.

 

[bsu]

Hold on. This kid has done nothing but win and be successful. A little disappointment and challenge isnt going to kill the kids development. Some adversity is good.

Im a little tired of this notion that these kids are all so soft that they will be ruined by a few rough seasons. If we have really reached that point in sports, then screw it, its the beginning of the end anyways. OR we hope these kids have a thicker skin than we give them credit for and they LEARN from the bad times. Tell you what, if anything, now is the time for a kid like McT to step up, find his game and his voice.

I mean how can you practice puck skills at the NHL level when Verbeek put a roster together that cannot get the puck or have any sustained pressure at all. It has nothing to do with being soft it has to be with reps. If any player is losing every game, chasing the puck the entire game and gets RARE puck touches throughout an entire game that's not a good way to develop someone. Then throw in our coach that we don't even know what system we are running because everyone is a chicken with their head cut off.... and our shitty veteran leadership. We have the full package.

 

[Deuce22]

Eakins has told the whole team stop worrying about making mistakes.... We see it nightly

Especially the trusted veterans.

 

[Hinterland]

I mean how can you practice puck skills at the NHL level when Verbeek put a roster together that cannot get the puck or have any sustained pressure at all. It has nothing to do with being soft it has to be with reps. If any player is losing every game, chasing the puck the entire game and gets RARE puck touches throughout an entire game that's not a good way to develop someone. Then throw in our coach that we don't even know what system we are running because everyone is a chicken with their head cut off.... and our shitty veteran leadership. We have the full package.

McTavish already has the puck skills...more than anybody on the roster. He just doesn't have the skating to use them at NHL level and he doesn't usually take the risk to do fancy stuff with no speed and space.
Also, McTavish is the type of player that doesn't need the puck a lot to be effective. When playing with the imports in Olten his job was to park in the slot and wait for pucks to find him. He was over ppg despite barely ever controlling the puck.

I agree a losing environment isn't ideal to develop prospects but McTavish has been winning everywhere he went so a bit of adversity might actually be good for him to keep his feet on the ground and to learn how it is if things don't go well.

I'd like the Ducks to reduce his ice time or scratch him for back to backs though. I'm not sure his current TOI per game is sustainable with the preparation (or lack there of) he had. You don't wanna wear out your top prospect or risk an injury while the team is losing anyway. That would be a stupid risk to take.

 

[Rybread86]

Just sayin...

 

[MMC]

How would you do our forward lines once Carrick is back?

 

[bsu]

We have a chance to win our next 3 then probably not have fun for a while....praying for atleast 2 wins in the next 3. San Jose and Vancouver aren't very good.... Will be a better measuring stick than a struggling Toronto team 3 games in last 4 days and playing a random goalie.

 

[Hey234]

Zegras struggled playing wing when he first started with the Ducks and improved after being moved to center. I wonder if McTavish's play would improve if he was playing his natural position. Maybe something like:

Lundestrom-Zegras-Vatrano
Henrique-Strome-Terry
Comtois-McTavish-Silfverberg
Jones-Grant-Regenda

 

[bsu]

The Ducks put an entire organization in shambles.

 

[Arthuros]

Delete

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

Zegras struggled playing wing when he first started with the Ducks and improved after being moved to center. I wonder if McTavish's play would improve if he was playing his natural position. Maybe something like:

Lundestrom-Zegras-Vatrano
Henrique-Strome-Terry
Comtois-McTavish-Silfverberg
Jones-Grant-Regenda

Maybe putting Henrique back with Terry will get him to move faster than a tortoise.

Not sure I like the idea of Lundestrom on the wing though. He seems much more comfortable in the middle. He also hangs onto pucks too much for me to like him being paired with Zegras and Vatrano. Zegras needs to have the puck.

I can't really put together a forward lineup and be happy with everything, but this is as close as I got:

Comtois-Zegras-Vatrano
McTavish-Strome-Terry
Grant-Lundestrom-Silfverberg
Jones-Carrick-Regenda

Scratch Henrique and see if that does anything for him.

 

[MMC]

Should we go back to right side Fowler with Drysdale out?

Kulikov-Fowler
Benoit-Klingberg
Beaulieu-Shattenkirk

 

[Leonardo87]

Should we go back to right side Fowler with Drysdale out?

Kulikov-Fowler
Benoit-Klingberg
Beaulieu-Shattenkirk

The D was a concern even with Drysdale in there but he was starting to look like a legit Top 4D before he got hurt. The only silver lining to this is that the Ducks are rebuilding this year and now after losing a Top 4D for most if not the rest of the season, is going to get them closer to that Top 3 pick.

 

[MMC]

 

[bsu]

Regenda is either the sacrificial lamb, or told Eakins he's a shitty coach

 

[Dirk316]

Shocked Verbeek didn't call up Hunter Drew and instead another midget