Speculation: 2022-23 Roster Thread

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Wrong, I care what's best for the development of the player at this point of time. I coach hockey and played it growing up, there's no way we go into the season with 3 under 23 year old's as our top 3 centers IMO, I'd bet money on it. I've also seen McTavish play more than most if not everyone on here.... I know his strengths and weaknesses from watching him play not scouting reports from people that watched him once at WJC. The NHL is a hard league to play in and we don't even know if McTavish will make the team yet people are penciling him into 2C. We'll see who's right one way or another soon enough. They picked up Strome for a reason (Getzlaf gone and need a veteran center)

i think the whole argument is kinda meh, not really a right or wrong

Zegras and Lundy are already going to be centers on 2 of the lines.

The last spot you have strome henrique and mctavish…. a lot depends on how mctavish looks there/ vs on the wing. I really just don’t see us putting Henrique back at center, but I imagine he’ll be on mctavish wing as training wheels, I think strome ends up playing wing w. Zegras.

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

Wrong, I care what's best for the development of the player at this point of time. I coach hockey and played it growing up, there's no way we go into the season with 3 under 23 year old's as our top 3 centers IMO, I'd bet money on it. I've also seen McTavish play more than most if not everyone on here.... I know his strengths and weaknesses from watching him play not scouting reports from people that watched him once at WJC. The NHL is a hard league to play in and we don't even know if McTavish will make the team yet people are penciling him into 2C. We'll see who's right one way or another soon enough.

You're right, no teams ever done it and it could never work. But whatever you do, don't look up the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins.

And what does playing hockey as a kid have to do with anything? So what, if I point out I've played more hockey in my 30s than you have your entire life then you have to shut up? Cause I have and I will.

 

[bsu]

You're right, no teams ever done it and it could never work. But whatever you do, don't look up the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins.

And what does playing hockey as a kid have to do with anything? So what, if I point out I've played more hockey in my 30s than you have your entire life then you have to shut up? Cause I have and I will.

I promise you, you haven't played more hockey than I have. Of course your using the 2009 Penguins as a reference from 15 years ago with 2 of the best centers of all-time as a comparison because it doesn't happen often.... For good reason. We got the next Crosby and Malkin for sure dude. Anyways this is turning like it always does with you, moving on fight with yourself.

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

I promise you, you haven't played more hockey than I have. Using the 2009 Penguins as a reference from 15 years ago with 2 of the best centers of all-time is a great comparison. We got the next Crosby and Malkin for sure. Anyways this is turning like it always does with you, moving on.

We don't need the next Malkin and Crosby, we have two guys already established and the third was a third overall pick who's NHL ready. It's an asinine argument and one even you wouldn't make if it wasn't actually about trying to manifest McTavish into a winger.

And trust me, I have. Hockey's on a completely different level in Canada. More importantly it's just a weird flex but especially when you're seriously outmatched.

 

[bsu]

We don't need the next Malkin and Crosby, we have two guys already established and the third was a third overall pick who's NHL ready. It's an asinine argument and one even you wouldn't make if it wasn't actually about trying to manifest McTavish into a winger.

And trust me, I have. Hockey's on a completely different level in Canada. More importantly it's just a weird flex but especially when you're seriously outmatched.

Whatever makes you sleep better.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I promise you, you haven't played more hockey than I have. Of course your using the 2009 Penguins as a reference from 15 years ago with 2 of the best centers of all-time as a comparison because it doesn't happen often.... For good reason. We got the next Crosby and Malkin for sure dude. Anyways this is turning like it always does with you, moving on fight with yourself.

It’s funny that you deflected it on him, when these types of discussions are usually you pounding your chest saying “I played more hockey”, “ I watched more” or whatever you decided to say that day that some how makes your opinion more right than anyone else’s on the forums

 

[bsu]

It’s funny that you deflected it on him, when these types of discussions are usually you pounding your chest saying “I played more hockey”, “ I watched more” or whatever you decided to say that day that some how makes your opinion more right than anyone else’s on the forums

We're gonna find out very soon

 

[KyleJRM]

How sure are we that McTavish is ready to handle a full-time NHL role? It's a big jump from the OHL and it feels like it's just being assumed he's ready/

 

[bsu]

How sure are we that McTavish is ready to handle a full-time NHL role? It's a big jump from the OHL and it feels like it's just being assumed he's ready/

No one does. He's not even participating in camp lol

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

We're gonna find out very soon

I mean I could care less tbh… it’s coaches/team decision…. Has nothing to do with how much you watch hockey or how much you played

 

[bsu]

I mean I could care less tbh… it’s coaches/team decision…. Has nothing to do with how much you watch hockey or how much you played

Uh I think watching hockey (especially entire games like I did with McTavish) is how you evaluate any prospect and pretty important... Yes. I also think anyone that played and/or coach understands the game better than the casual fan more times than not. I can also careless where McTavish plays if he develops best on one of the worst teams in the league at 2C then put him there. From what I've seen and the moves we just made.... And losing Getzlaf I don't see our top 3 centers being kids. Not a single person here knows if McTavish will even be on the Ducks or if he's even ready to play minutes and situations like that. With Verbeek commit about letting players develop and take their time I don't see us running it but we'll see soon.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

I promise you, you haven't played more hockey than I have. Of course your using the 2009 Penguins as a reference from 15 years ago with 2 of the best centers of all-time as a comparison because it doesn't happen often.... For good reason. We got the next Crosby and Malkin for sure dude. Anyways this is turning like it always does with you, moving on fight with yourself.

Only one way to settle this. 1 on 1 with a goalie. I expect to see a video posted.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

i think the whole argument is kinda meh, not really a right or wrong

Zegras and Lundy are already going to be centers on 2 of the lines.

The last spot you have strome henrique and mctavish…. a lot depends on how mctavish looks there/ vs on the wing. I really just don’t see us putting Henrique back at center, but I imagine he’ll be on mctavish wing as training wheels, I think strome ends up playing wing w. Zegras.

I agree that the argument is sort of moot, because it ultimately depends on how McTavish shows throughout camp and exhibition games. Even thereafter it probably remains a fluid situation early in his career, up until the point there's just no doubting that he's an NHL center.

Like you said, Zegras and Lundy are two of the centers for sure. Likely going to be Grant on the fourth line. Two of those guys are able to take on most of the defensive heavy lifting, so that the other two lines can be considered as our scoring lines. Zegras centers one of those lines.

All that we should agree on, and then we've seen a lot of comments about how they feel McTavish belongs at center. I really do think the plan is to use him there unless he shows he needs more time to get used to the level first. That decision will have nothing to do with the rest of the center group and everything to do with McT himself.

@bsu between the ages of 7-32 I've amassed a collective 43 hockey seasons of playing, reffing, coaching and scouting. There plenty of great posters here, some of whom may never have picked up a stick for all I know. Let's not

 

[bsu]

I agree that the argument is sort of moot, because it ultimately depends on how McTavish shows throughout camp and exhibition games. Even thereafter it probably remains a fluid situation early in his career, up until the point there's just no doubting that he's an NHL center.

Like you said, Zegras and Lundy are two of the centers for sure. Likely going to be Grant on the fourth line. Two of those guys are able to take on most of the defensive heavy lifting, so that the other two lines can be considered as our scoring lines. Zegras centers one of those lines.

All that we should agree on, and then we've seen a lot of comments about how they feel McTavish belongs at center. I really do think the plan is to use him there unless he shows he needs more time to get used to the level first. That decision will have nothing to do with the rest of the center group and everything to do with McT himself.

@bsu between the ages of 7-32 I've amassed a collective 43 hockey seasons of playing, reffing, coaching and scouting. There plenty of great posters here, some of whom may never have picked up a stick for all I know. Let's not

They signed a veteran center for a reason. I was talking about for the most part.... Of course coaches and ex players are going to understand more than a random fan for the most part and of course it's not ALWAYS going to be the case.

Also people continue to put words in people's mouth.. I didn't say McTavish don't be a center or won't play center this season... I said I think we ain't starting the season like that. I only mentioned him at wing because I think his game fits perfectly with Z. I think hell play a Drai role and play both sometimes with zegras and sometimes at center later on.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

They signed a veteran center for a reason. I was talking about for the most part.... Of course coaches and ex players are going to understand more than a random fan for the most part and of course it's not ALWAYS going to be the case.

Also people continue to put words in people's mouth.. I didn't say McTavish don't be a center or won't play center this season... I said I think we ain't starting the season like that. I only mentioned him at wing because I think his game fits perfectly with Z. I think hell play a Drai role and play both sometimes with zegras and sometimes at center later on.

I actually have no issue with your opinion(or anyones for that matter) ... but sometimes when you throw out the "i bet i played more hockey than you" or "ive watched more than anyone here" it gets old and obnoxious... if you could just resist those weird comments from time to time.

I agree that the argument is sort of moot, because it ultimately depends on how McTavish shows throughout camp and exhibition games. Even thereafter it probably remains a fluid situation early in his career, up until the point there's just no doubting that he's an NHL center.

Like you said, Zegras and Lundy are two of the centers for sure. Likely going to be Grant on the fourth line. Two of those guys are able to take on most of the defensive heavy lifting, so that the other two lines can be considered as our scoring lines. Zegras centers one of those lines.

All that we should agree on, and then we've seen a lot of comments about how they feel McTavish belongs at center. I really do think the plan is to use him there unless he shows he needs more time to get used to the level first. That decision will have nothing to do with the rest of the center group and everything to do with McT himself.

@bsu between the ages of 7-32 I've amassed a collective 43 hockey seasons of playing, reffing, coaching and scouting. There plenty of great posters here, some of whom may never have picked up a stick for all I know. Let's not

Ive said i think McTavish could play wing or center(i agree with BSU that mctavish is prob an ideal fit with zegras at least based on what they are good at) , i also think Strome can play wing or center... i think Terry/Henrique have worked well last year... and i think it makes sense for McTavish to get a look there. Terry is a winger that can control the game, and henrique gives McTavish a bit of a safety net, as he is responsible and can take faceoffs, can also give McTavish quick tips/advice or go over his last shift right away with him. Terry was the shooter last year, but i think there is def a lot of play making ability from him, and i could see terry2mctavish being a good thing

 

[WhatTheDuck]

They signed a veteran center for a reason. I was talking about for the most part.... Of course coaches and ex players are going to understand more than a random fan for the most part and of course it's not ALWAYS going to be the case.

Strome isn't exclusively a center though. If anything, the reason to target him specifically is the flexibility to play center or wing, depending on how ready McTavish proves to be. Or to have them play together so that some of the center duties can be split in certain situations.

If Strome was a really reliable top 6 center, with the production he puts up, he would have been looking at way more money as a UFA. He got paid more like a 2nd line offensive winger than a good 2C, and there definitely is a notion that he's more of a winger who has been miscast down the middle.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Uh I think watching hockey (especially entire games like I did with McTavish) is how you evaluate any prospect and pretty important... Yes. I also think anyone that played and/or coach understands the game better than the casual fan more times than not. I can also careless where McTavish plays if he develops best on one of the worst teams in the league at 2C then put him there. From what I've seen and the moves we just made.... And losing Getzlaf I don't see our top 3 centers being kids. Not a single person here knows if McTavish will even be on the Ducks or if he's even ready to play minutes and situations like that. With Verbeek commit about letting players develop and take their time I don't see us running it but we'll see soon.

Thats why its a discussion forum, and none of us are on the coaching staff.... none of us really know shit..... were just dicussion our various opinions.


But constantly saying I played, i watched more.... is obnoxious. You can have discussions with people without having to 1 up them with something as silly as "i watched more of them than you"... which you really dont know for a fact, your just assuming/guessing. Or i played more hockey than you.... which i assume a lot of us have played a good amount of hockey in our lives, and the reason were all on these forums to begin with is because we love hockey(or the ducks at the very least).... so i assume majority of us are fairly knowledgeable, and watch a fair amount of hockey.

Strome isn't exclusively a center though. If anything, the reason to target him specifically is the flexibility to play center or wing, depending on how ready McTavish proves to be. Or to have them play together so that some of the center duties can be split in certain situations.

If Strome was a really reliable top 6 center, with the production he puts up, he would have been looking at way more money as a UFA. He got paid more like a 2nd line offensive winger than a good 2C, and there definitely is a notion that he's more of a winger who has been miscast down the middle.

Yep he is very much a Flex option. I think we signed him with a pretty open idea of what hell do with the roster.

If mctavish isnt ready, or struggles... Strome gives us another option.... if mctavish comes in and looks nhl ready and able to handle the center duties.... then strome can easily slot to the wing.

 

[Deuce22]

I can’t even skate. I hope Ducks develop McTavish as a center, even if he doesn’t play in the NHL this year. Because centers are more valuable than wingers.

 

[bsu]

I can’t even skate. I hope Ducks develop McTavish as a center, even if he doesn’t play in the NHL this year. Because centers are more valuable than wingers.

He'll play center I just don't think in the beginning while he adapts.

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

Only one way to settle this. 1 on 1 with a goalie. I expect to see a video posted.

Honestly ability doesn't mean a whole lot. There's a guy I know personally whose tweets about prospects are posted here and he either didn't play hockey or at the very least wasn't good at all. Clearly doesn't matter, people seem to respect his opinion.

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

Strome isn't exclusively a center though. If anything, the reason to target him specifically is the flexibility to play center or wing, depending on how ready McTavish proves to be. Or to have them play together so that some of the center duties can be split in certain situations.

If Strome was a really reliable top 6 center, with the production he puts up, he would have been looking at way more money as a UFA. He got paid more like a 2nd line offensive winger than a good 2C, and there definitely is a notion that he's more of a winger who has been miscast down the middle.

I honestly don't know how the Ducks view him or what he'll play this year but his contract is more in line with wingers of similar caliber get and it does appear like the Rangers didn't view him(or Copp) as much of a center. I could be wrong but I don't think they pay more to move on like that if they did.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Honestly ability doesn't mean a whole lot. There's a guy I know personally whose tweets about prospects are posted here and he either didn't play hockey or at the very least wasn't good at all. Clearly doesn't matter, people seem to respect his opinion.

Those who can play, do.
Those who can’t play, coach.
Those who can’t coach, sit 27 rows up and scream obscenities.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Again, it feels weird to me that people think letting him acclimate at wing for the same period that Zegras did is preventing him from playing there the other 85% of the season. If a player should have to earn their spot on the roster, then…he should probably start on Henrique’s wing and see how it goes.

As we are pretty clearly tanking, I’m not sure that burning a year off his ELC is the best move regardless.

I'm not saying the same period with Zegras. I'm saying McTavish doesn't have the luxury of the AHL avenue. The way the org handled Zegras was actually pretty good with the AHL avenue so Zegras' body can acclimate to the AHL and NHL levels.

Zegras and McTavish should be treated differently. Zegras has the mind of a superstar, but his body is still developing into an NHL body. McTavish already has an NHL body, but is developing his other skills as a centerman. McTavish has already played in a few men's leagues: 17 games with Olten (13 reg, 4 post), 9 NHL games, 3 AHL games, and 5 Olympic games. That's a total of 34 games played in a men's league.

We now have a center position open b/c Getz retired. Also, I agree that it's pretty clear that we're tanking. What a better environment for McTavish to learn to play center next year from the get go. We can always give McTavish a break by swapping him with Rico or Strome during the season, but our return to relevancy resides in McTavish developing as a centerman. The sooner he does, the sooner we return b/c we're lacking top-2 center talent if McTavish isn't developing as a center.

Vatrano-Zegras-Strome​

Rico-McTavish-Terry​

Comtois-Lundy-Silf​

Grant-Carrick-Jones​

​

FA, FA​

I think that LW1 is open, but I want Strome with Zegras at all times. We have three players that can play in the LW1 spot in Vatrano, Comtois, or Jones. We also might sign a FA who could be play as LW1.

====

McTavish is too good for the OHL and was made for playoff hockey. I don't know if we can send him to the NL-A due to the CHL-NHL agreement? I think developing in the NHL is worth burning a year of his ELC. Sending McTavish back to the OHL is even a bigger waste b/c it's wasting his talent development. We burned a year off of Zegras and Drysdale to get 24 NHL games in two seasons ago. That paid dividends this past year as both became NHL established. Despite Drysdale's team leading -26 plus/minus rating, his play improved from two seasons ago as he was able to play most of the season and not look bewildered like two seasons ago after a couple of games.

I guess I'm okay with sucking next year b/c that's what the TDL dictated. It's a development year or rebuild year, especially if we don't address our defense before the season starts. If you reframe it as developing our youth core, then the disappointment won't feel too bad even though it might be that bad.

As for defense, I'm thinking that maybe Helleson debuts with the NHL club with the way things are now. Fowler may have to babysit him. But next year, we'll have five defensemen, hopefully, coming to San Diego! LaCombe, Thrun, Zellweger, Hinds, and Minty are at least AHL bound. LaCombe and Thrun may only need half a season. After seeing LaCombe skate more effortlessly than Zellweger in drills, I'm hoping he does sign with us!

 

[Hockey Duckie]

You're right, no teams ever done it and it could never work. But whatever you do, don't look up the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins.

And what does playing hockey as a kid have to do with anything? So what, if I point out I've played more hockey in my 30s than you have your entire life then you have to shut up? Cause I have and I will.

You don't have to look that far back.

2021-2022 to start the season for the Ducks

1C Getz​

2C Zegras (20 yrs old)​

3C Lundy (21)​

4C Groulx (21)​

Groulx didn't last as he played in only 18 games and was sent back down to the AHL.

 

[duckpuck]

I think people are extrapolating too much from watching McTavish play junior/international hockey. Playing huge minutes and leading your team to the calder cup finals is a very different role than what he will have in the NHL (at least for the time being). I expect that he will be more responsible and defensive minded and, obviously play fewer minutes (presumably with greater effort/intensity).

Also, the ducks have 10 games to get an assessment as to if/how he fits. If he's clearly not ready, they can send him back to juniors.