Speculation: 2022-23 Roster Thread

[McDonald19]

Where would these proposed enforcers actually play next year? What's the point in having them on the roster if they're not going to play games? Even in our roster who are they replacing?

I imagine someone like MacEwen would be the 13th - 14th forward and play against physical teams.

 

[bsu]

I imagine someone like MacEwen would be the 13th - 14th forward and play against physical teams.

Just play Hunter Drew in that case.

 

[SmokeyDuck]

Just play Hunter Drew in that case.

Agreed. People are freaking out over nothing. If we need a 10 point face puncher we have one in Drew already.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Just play Hunter Drew in that case.

This.

 

[Dirk316]

Where would these proposed enforcers actually play next year? What's the point in having them on the roster if they're not going to play games? Even in our roster who are they replacing?

Here we go with your typical garbage anti enforcer post

 

[Dirk316]

Grants role is not needed Carrick replaces him, he will be moved either way at the deadline. A proper enforcer replaces him on the 4th line
The defense desperately needs a Manson in addition to Benoit

 

[McDonald19]

Agreed. People are freaking out over nothing. If we need a 10 point face puncher we have one in Drew already.

I like Drew, but he can’t skate. Hopefully he is working on it.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I read it. didn't have a reply, agreed with some stuff, but didn't have much to add. I will just say that this roster is a big question mark but holds a lot of potential, and really are relying on how the kids progress. I still would like Verbeek to add another Top 4D who can eat mins and kill penalties. Then maybe they can get closer to that bubble. But a lot also depends on which Gibby we get. lol.

The more and more I dissect the roster, the more I can see how we can become a fringe playoff team. One top-4 shutdown LD who kills penalties can improve that possibility. We don't have to be a top-10 PK unit, just average so we can increase the chances of scoring more than giving up.


How do we improve our defense and PK without adding a top-4 shutdown LD?

Projected D-pair, 2022-23 (option 1)

Fowler-Klingberg​

Vaaks-Shattenkirk​

Benoit-Drysdale​

1. Fowler plays more of a defensive game and plays on the PP2 unit to reduce his time on ice.
2. Drysdale gets to play 3rd pairing.
3. Benoit becomes a regular and plays more than 14 ATOI.

From reports by Stephens, Vaaks game was better when he was paired with Shatty. Maybe Drysdale's game improves by simplifying his game by pairing him with Benoit being the hitter. Of course, the biggest factor could be Klingberg's defense. If Eakins can bring that out of him, then wonderful, especially if he can kill penalties with that big body.

Projected D-pair, 2022-23 (option 2)

Benoit-Klingberg​

Fowler-Drysdale​

Vaaks-Shattenkirk​

Here, we're trying to replicate Fowler being the 2nd pairing. But we're gambling with young Benoit and newcomer Klingberg as our top pairing. Also, Fowler will play a more defensive game and let Drysdale play the OFD role since we don't possess any defensive RD's at the moment.

If for some reason one or both of our RD's in the AHL in Andersson or Helleson shine early, then that player can pair with Fowler to have the same dynamic of OFD-DFD pairing that makes Fowler more effective. Vaaks and Benoit are the players who will be replaced, but that means either Shatty or Drysdale plays LD.


Projected D-pair, 2022-23 (option 3)

Vaaks-Klingberg​

Fowler-Drysdale​

Benoit-Shattenkirk​

Vaaks played 19:21 ATOI compared to Benoit's 14:06 ATOI. Vaaks' body might be better to handle the extra time to play with Klingberg than Benoit, but I feel better with Benoit's physical game than Vaaks as a top pairing.

 

[cheesymc]

I like Drew, but he can’t skate. Hopefully he is working on it.

I seriously doubt he will make any more strides... less than a 1% chance of improvement. He is also on the small side so he will never be an intimidator. I think his best shot is focusing on his scoring... if he can be a 10+ goal scoring grinder and bring some physicality he might be at least a 4rth liner / call-up.

 

[Rybread86]

Grants role is not needed Carrick replaces him, he will be moved either way at the deadline. A proper enforcer replaces him on the 4th line
The defense desperately needs a Manson in addition to Benoit

It needs a Manson from like 3 years ago though. Maybe he refound some of that snarl in Colorado, but he lost it here.

 

[Rybread86]

I know it didnt sound like PV was hinting at still doing more, but I hope he looks to PIT to try and make a cap dump deal. They can send their 2 waiver exempt guys down and be under the cap limit and be at 22 roster spots but if they want any breathing room they could be looking to dump some of their expiring UFAs like Zucker or Dumoulin.

Zuckers career might be done but at $5.5mil they could say a decent price to have him taken away.

Dumoulin isnt the most physical guy but a good minute muncher to play the left side and provide some stability.

 

[Leonardo87]

The more and more I dissect the roster, the more I can see how we can become a fringe playoff team. One top-4 shutdown LD who kills penalties can improve that possibility. We don't have to be a top-10 PK unit, just average so we can increase the chances of scoring more than giving up.


How do we improve our defense and PK without adding a top-4 shutdown LD?

Projected D-pair, 2022-23 (option 1)

Fowler-Klingberg​

Vaaks-Shattenkirk​

Benoit-Drysdale​

1. Fowler plays more of a defensive game and plays on the PP2 unit to reduce his time on ice.
2. Drysdale gets to play 3rd pairing.
3. Benoit becomes a regular and plays more than 14 ATOI.

From reports by Stephens, Vaaks game was better when he was paired with Shatty. Maybe Drysdale's game improves by simplifying his game by pairing him with Benoit being the hitter. Of course, the biggest factor could be Klingberg's defense. If Eakins can bring that out of him, then wonderful, especially if he can kill penalties with that big body.

Projected D-pair, 2022-23 (option 2)

Benoit-Klingberg​

Fowler-Drysdale​

Vaaks-Shattenkirk​

Here, we're trying to replicate Fowler being the 2nd pairing. But we're gambling with young Benoit and newcomer Klingberg as our top pairing. Also, Fowler will play a more defensive game and let Drysdale play the OFD role since we don't possess any defensive RD's at the moment.

If for some reason one or both of our RD's in the AHL in Andersson or Helleson shine early, then that player can pair with Fowler to have the same dynamic of OFD-DFD pairing that makes Fowler more effective. Vaaks and Benoit are the players who will be replaced, but that means either Shatty or Drysdale plays LD.


Projected D-pair, 2022-23 (option 3)

Vaaks-Klingberg​

Fowler-Drysdale​

Benoit-Shattenkirk​

Vaaks played 19:21 ATOI compared to Benoit's 14:06 ATOI. Vaaks' body might be better to handle the extra time to play with Klingberg than Benoit, but I feel better with Benoit's physical game than Vaaks as a top pairing.

I would maybe go with your first suggestion….

Fowler - Klingberg
Vaak - Shattenkirk
Benoit - Drysdale

Didn’t love the Vaak - Drysdale pairing but I’m sure Eakins will run it again, I like the idea of Drysdale getting a physical partner which compliments him better.

Shatty is no longer a Top 4D, and would be playing above his head again, but what are they winning next season? It’s more important for the kids development , and to find the right partner for them. Maybe Vaak works with Shatty, I dunno, it’s a long shot , but you never know, lol.

 

[Rybread86]

I would maybe go with your first suggestion….

Fowler - Klingberg
Vaak - Shattenkirk
Benoit - Drysdale

Didn’t love the Vaak - Drysdale pairing but I’m sure Eakins will run it again, I like the idea of Drysdale getting a physical partner which compliments him better.

Shatty is no longer a Top 4D, and would be playing above his head again, but what are they winning next season? It’s more important for the kids development , and to find the right partner for them. Maybe Vaak works with Shatty, I dunno, it’s a long shot , but you never know, lol.

And Shatty is likely wearing a different sweater to end the season so I wouldnt feel any need to keep him in the top 4 outside of increasing trade value.

 

[Leonardo87]

And Shatty is likely wearing a different sweater to end the season so I wouldnt feel any need to keep him in the top 4 outside of increasing trade value.

Would think Helleson takes his spot by the end of the season if he is having a very good season in SD. There is also a chance for Zellweger to get some games in as well, I read he can play both sides? But not sure if he will be ready unless he really tears up his league again next season.

It’s all about transitioning to the younger players the next 2 seasons while giving them Vet support.

 

[Duck Off]

I definitely think the current team is capable of challenging for the playoffs. That's primarily due to how weak our division is though. Plus the west in general seems much weaker than it did last year. If you look at the playoff teams from last year, other than LA, most of them are even or worse than they were last season.

As of now, I don't expect they make the playoffs though. We'll be in the hunt until the deadline though.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Would think Helleson takes his spot by the end of the season if he is having a very good season in SD. There is also a chance for Zellweger to get some games in as well, I read he can play both sides? But not sure if he will be ready unless he really tears up his league again next season.

It’s all about transitioning to the younger players the next 2 seasons while giving them Vet support.

Don't sleep on RD Andersson. According to Defend the Nest site, Andersson was the best defensemen for the Gulls. His only problem is staying healthy.

 

[Rybread86]

Don't sleep on RD Andersson. According to Defend the Nest site, Andersson was the best defensemen for the Gulls. His only problem is staying healthy.

I definitely think the current team is capable of challenging for the playoffs. That's primarily due to how weak our division is though. Plus the west in general seems much weaker than it did last year. If you look at the playoff teams from last year, other than LA, most of them are even or worse than they were last season.

As of now, I don't expect they make the playoffs though. We'll be in the hunt until the deadline though.

If we ice this roster, they are all going to have problems staying healthy because they are going to get trucked by other teams. Anaheim lockeroom is going to look like a hospital ward. Might be overexaggerating a tad, but unless they get some help, i dont think they will be able to stay healthy enough to make a playoff push even if they have the talent for it.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I definitely think the current team is capable of challenging for the playoffs. That's primarily due to how weak our division is though. Plus the west in general seems much weaker than it did last year. If you look at the playoff teams from last year, other than LA, most of them are even or worse than they were last season.

As of now, I don't expect they make the playoffs though. We'll be in the hunt until the deadline though.

Hmmm... we should do a breakdown of each Pacific div team, look into who they lost and who they gained. I don't see how five of the six teams ahead of us got worse than us. I dunno how we're capable of challenging for the playoffs with our current blue line construction. We replaced Manson with Klingberg, but we didn't replace Lindholm. If we can't score more than we give up, then it'll be hard sledding.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

It's also why not getting Manson back was a huge miss.

That’s subjective. People seem to forget that he was so inconsistent here

 

[Rybread86]

That’s subjective. People seem to forget that he was so inconsistent here

I think a lot of people remember the Manson from years ago, and not the most recent version we had. He looked better in COL playing meaningful games. Maybe thats part of it too.

 

[Leonardo87]

I think a lot of people remember the Manson from years ago, and not the most recent version we had. He looked better in COL playing meaningful games. Maybe thats part of it too.

He also has a lot more support in Colorado. I think we overrate Manson, he made plenty of mistakes in his own zone. Ducks are just desperate now for a PK’ing/physical Top 4D. So, it made Manson look like a bigger loss than it really was.

 

[Rybread86]

Hmmm... we should do a breakdown of each Pacific div team, look into who they lost and who they gained. I don't see how five of the six teams ahead of us got worse than us. I dunno how we're capable of challenging for the playoffs with our current blue line construction. We replaced Manson with Klingberg, but we didn't replace Lindholm. If we can't score more than we give up, then it'll be hard sledding.

Calgary - still better but they wont be 1st again
Edmonton - Still better, will probably take #1 slot
LA - *gag* still better
Vegas - ehhhhhh, We probably have a battle
Vancouver - still better and having Bruce for a full season, probably move up a couple spots
SJ - They are now worse
Seattle - still worse

So Its us, LV, SJ and SEA battling for 5th in the division most likely.

Western Conference... COL, MIN, STL, DAL, NSH... All better than us.

Im hopeful for a good rebuilding year with some fun hockey, but missing at least 1 key piece on D and being overall pretty soft, I see us at best like 11th in the conference. That could change depending on future trades/signings, but that how I see it now.

 

[DavidBL]

I have really sold myself on scandella but I think he's more important to the blues then their fans believe.

 

[Duck Off]

That’s subjective. People seem to forget that he was so inconsistent here

That comment was related to Manson‘a willingness to hold people accountable, which he always was consistent in that area. Defensively? Yes, definitely inconsistent. However with the D that soft and no real guy to hold other teams players accountable, it’s a big miss.

 

[Leonardo87]

That comment was related to Manson‘a willingness to hold people accountable, which he always was consistent in that area. Defensively? Yes, definitely inconsistent. However with the D that soft and no real guy to hold other teams players accountable, it’s a big miss.

I think one more physical D would be more than sufficient, and hope Benoit has potential to be a solid bottom paring, middle tweener D. I think the transition game will be very good that they won’t need to always rely on laying heavy hits or physicality since they should be possessing the puck more and spending more time in the opponents zone. That to me will make up the defense on the back end. The best defense, is a good offense.