Speculation: 2023-24 Roster Thread

[Bleak]

This last game is what the expectation was at the start of the season (for me). We got exposed in many areas of the ice, but that's okay! These growing pains are apart of a young team. I am ecstatic that this game took this long to happen. Even without the come-back wins we have had, the score and scoring chances we've had vs opponents have been relatively close. We can note a few things from this game:

The power-kill was atrocious. Provided more chances for Colorado than for Anaheim. I do not understand all those passes into the cheating forward that is blocking the lane. The fck was that.

I hate how we played this non-pressure half wall strategy. Trading chances to open up the game would of been better, Our possession was stunted by the Avs overall defensive strategy. Again, we are team learning about all the different systems that teams have in place. Our match up this time around was bad.

Our goalies cover up a lot of mistakes (doesn't this seem similar to last year). Good on both Dostal and Gibby keeping us in games that, I feel, we have no business being in.

Our defensemen in our zone are...learning... I don't want to say trash, but we are approaching that territory. Fowler is the key cog that everything runs around because he is our minute muncher. Bro can't do it. We have tried and tried for many of years now. It doesn't work.

I really dislike our O-zone strategy for the most part. Our top line 2 lines don't sustain any pressure. Our bottom 6 is good/fine/maybe even above average.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

They may still be a bad team but they are so much more entertaining then last season. I can count on 2 hands the numbers of games I watched haha I've watched every single ge this season so far. Outside of last night, I love the no quit attitude Cronin is preaching

The team better not quit b/c Cronin inherited a team that didn't quit.

This is still a development season and we're ahead of schedule with the early results. That may skew perspectives and make this loss more than it should be. So we flew a little too high and the wax kinda melted. Unlike Icarus, we have 66 more games left to play to learn from our mistake. Yet, seeing how everyone looked slow, it might be a combo of flying thousands of miles for a b2b to a high altitude environment in a 24-hour period.

 

[Deuce22]

The team better not quit b/c Cronin inherited a team that didn't quit.

This is still a development season and we're ahead of schedule with the early results. That may skew perspectives and make this loss more than it should be. So we flew a little too high and the wax kinda melted. Unlike Icarus, we have 66 more games left to play to learn from our mistake. Yet, seeing how everyone looked slow, it might be a combo of flying thousands of miles for a b2b to a high altitude environment in a 24-hour period.

One horrible game and they're in danger of quitting?

 

[branmuffin17]

We are having the year, we were all expecting to have last year... Ups and downs.. I think the weakest links on this team are Silverberg and Fowler.. Silv especially looks completely worn down.. That third line does not provide anything offensively... Fowler is getting 1d minutes.. Idealy he is not a 1d now.. ( never was) He is more a 3-4 maybe step in as a 2.. Lacombe has hit a rut... Largley because hes getting the tough matchups and Fowler offers him no support...(pointing and shit)

Based on the definition, of the two the weakest link is probably LaCombe currently, not Fowler. Yes, Fowler is playing 1D minutes and he's definitely not that, but LaCombe is likely struggling more. The pair is definitely struggling, but between the two, do you really think LaCombe would do better than Fowler in staying in that slot without the other?

Here's the problem. We don't have a 1-2. Our best bet might be to put Minty there as one of the 2. I'm not so sure though. Asking a lot of extra minutes of a young player that's still technically unproven (though I'm sold). But who else will take that other spot? There's no guarantee that LaCombe with Minty will do better than vs. LaCombe with Fowler. Lyubushkin on top pairing? Gudas on top pairing?

In the end, arguing Fowler isn't the weakest link. If he's the weakest link, you're saying take him out and replace him? Vs replacing anyone else in our current roster or prospects?

Even with Silf playing better all around, I agree in general with him being the weakest F link. The 4th line is playing its role well, though we would still hope for a bit more scoring from either Leason or Johnston. But we don't have the forward depth really. I still want to see Regenda given a current shot. Get Z back in, create 3 lines with scoring potential rather than 2 scoring lines and one dead line...and stop everyone from labeling them as line 1/2/3. This allows Henrique to play with some higher skill players, which is something he needs to produce well.

 

[lwvs84]

IF we're going to start putting lines in blenders, hopefully they will try something like:

Zegras-McTavish-Strome
Killorn-Carlsson-Vatrano
Jones/McGinn (Lundy when he gets back)-Henrique-Terry

This would let Z be more of a playmaker and McTavish more of a goal scorer but both are dual threats. Vatrano gets a playmaker on his line and Carlsson gets a guy who can finish and two vets to play with. Rico and Terry have chemistry already, Jones/McGinn would be placeholders until Lundy comes back and he can do the heavy lifting on defense.

Silf can alternate on the 4th line so he's not as worn down.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

One horrible game and they're in danger of quitting?

Are you admitting that out loud? I'm pretty sure I didn't say anything that incredibly facetious.

Team already possesses a "no quit attitude" since the Eakins era. Identifying that Cronin has installed a "no quit attitude" implies we never had that attitude previously.

 

[TheGoodShepard1]

LaCombe is the victim of circumstance at the moment. Lyubushkin and Gudas are much more ideal fits next to Fowler for the play style, but they like 46-34 (only pairing they’ve kept together all season) and as much as I love Radko, I don’t think he can physically handle a top-pairing workload. Get Drysdale back next to Cam (hopefully soon) and return Jackson with Gudas and you’ll see a more comfortable 60.

 

[branmuffin17]

Are you admitting that out loud? I'm pretty sure I didn't say anything that incredibly facetious.

Team already possesses a "no quit attitude" since the Eakins era. Identifying that Cronin has installed a "no quit attitude" implies we never had that attitude previously.

Ducks8 said "Outside of last night, I love the no quit attitude Cronin is preaching"

Hockey Duckie replied with "The team better not quit b/c Cronin inherited a team that didn't quit." Was just a one-off response to the initial one-liner.

I don't see that as implying the team's in danger of quitting. Simple conversation progression without going any further.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Based on the definition, of the two the weakest link is probably LaCombe currently, not Fowler. Yes, Fowler is playing 1D minutes and he's definitely not that, but LaCombe is likely struggling more. The pair is definitely struggling, but between the two, do you really think LaCombe would do better than Fowler in staying in that slot without the other?

Here's the problem. We don't have a 1-2. Our best bet might be to put Minty there as one of the 2. I'm not so sure though. Asking a lot of extra minutes of a young player that's still technically unproven (though I'm sold). But who else will take that other spot? There's no guarantee that LaCombe with Minty will do better than vs. LaCombe with Fowler. Lyubushkin on top pairing? Gudas on top pairing?

In the end, arguing Fowler isn't the weakest link. If he's the weakest link, you're saying take him out and replace him? Vs replacing anyone else in our current roster or prospects?

Even with Silf playing better all around, I agree in general with him being the weakest F link. The 4th line is playing its role well, though we would still hope for a bit more scoring from either Leason or Johnston. But we don't have the forward depth really. I still want to see Regenda given a current shot. Get Z back in, create 3 lines with scoring potential rather than 2 scoring lines and one dead line...and stop everyone from labeling them as line 1/2/3. This allows Henrique to play with some higher skill players, which is something he needs to produce well.

One can identify a weak link and also not suggest to take a player out of the lineup. We don't have a top pairing D players. We didn't last year either.

Fowler is a top-4d, whose more offensive-minded. Fowler couldn't carry Luneau or Vaaks. Hence, not a top pairing D. The team found found a player that improved the play of the top pairing with Fowler in LaCombe.

When it comes to defense, Fowler is making LaCombe look like the better player despite Fowler's vast years of NHL experience. LaCombe attacks the puck carrier on a 3v2 instead of pointing to the puck carrier. LaCombe often creates subtle interferences behind the net when Fowler has the puck to buy Fowler time to look for a passing option or to skate away with it; Fowler doesn't do that for LaCombe. LaCombe wins a more puck battles down low than Fowler would by playing more physical than Fowler (got penalized for it as proof). Also, LaCombe changes often and is rarely stuck on the ice for too long (which hurts his +/- rating whenever the team scores just after he changes). We're talking a rookie doing this.

Rookies will make mistakes and will probably go into lulls. It's a fast and physical game to where you can tell when LaCombe's got no energy. Also, he's very timid about going on the offensive despite having the speed for it. It's as if he just wants to focus on playing defense in his NHL rookie season. That kinda mimics his freshman year in college when he was a big time scorer in high school. He had 89 points in 54 games in high school. In his freshman year, he had 13 points in 37 games, but had 61 blocked shots (2nd on the team).

With that said, we need both players playing top-pairing to help shelter the other two pairings. Plus, LaCombe is good for Fowler's offense.

Fowler w/o LaCombe starting: 6 games, 2 points, +1 rating, and 5 scoreless games
Fowler w/ LaCombe starting: 10 games, 7 points, -6 rating (includes last night's -4 rating), and 4 scoreless games.

 

[DuckDuckGetz]

The Avs have lost 0-7 and 2-8 already this season... I wouldn't really worry about one shellacking.

Don't think it really says anything about a team's roster, attitude, coach, goaltending, etc... It's just something that happens to every team every now and then.

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

LaCombe is the victim of circumstance at the moment. Lyubushkin and Gudas are much more ideal fits next to Fowler for the play style, but they like 46-34 (only pairing they’ve kept together all season) and as much as I love Radko, I don’t think he can physically handle a top-pairing workload. Get Drysdale back next to Cam (hopefully soon) and return Jackson with Gudas and you’ll see a more comfortable 60.

Vaaks being the odd man out once Drysdale comes back kind of stinks.

 

[Leonardo87]

Being 7-3 in our last 10, I’ve gotten a little too optimistic. I want to see them continue to take strides, continue to grow. Tired of being in the news in a negative way or in lottery talks( I am totally against another tank discussion thread). During that 6 game win streak it felt good. We faced some tough teams and still were able to get wins. They are regulation or OT wins and not stupid SO wins.

Tomorrow is a must win, why? Because it will show the resilience of this group. I want
to see more great games from Leo, Minty, and Mac, and from Z when he gets back(hopefully soon). Want to be proud of this group, want to brag a little, and let the hockey world know it. It feels good when the media are talking good things about the Ducks.

The NHL screwed up, will let them know it with a passion. STOP scheduling back to back games for the road teams going to Colorado. Over 5K above sea level it takes 1-2 Days to adjust. We were not winning that game but Colorado didn’t hold back when they knew they won. So with that said I’ll be at the Colorado game on 12/2 in Anaheim and hoping for some payback, I’ll be there rooting for them to get that revenge.

 

[Deuce22]

Ducks8 said "Outside of last night, I love the no quit attitude Cronin is preaching"

Hockey Duckie replied with "The team better not quit b/c Cronin inherited a team that didn't quit." Was just a one-off response to the initial one-liner.

I don't see that as implying the team's in danger of quitting. Simple conversation progression without going any further.

Except there were many games last season where the team “quit” every bit as much as they did last night. Revisionist history that they never quit on Eakins ignores the many blowout losses.

 

[branmuffin17]

Okay, I admit my response is a bit overreactive sounding, as I don't think CrazyDuck is saying Fowler should be replaced at this point. But I was just taking it to the next step...if Fowler is the weakest link on the team (along with Silf) then that's technically replacement level, isn't it?

But yeah, I do think LaCombe is more of the player we're going to need in the future, and I like that he's willing to be more physical and has the potential for 2-way D play. But right now, I think Fowler is the better overall player, if from nothing else than experience.

 

[branmuffin17]

Except there were many games last season where the team “quit” every bit as much as they did last night. Revisionist history that they never quit on Eakins ignores the many blowout losses.

Never quitting is much less about blowout losses, and rather seeing the players keep skating hard and trying despite being down. From my recollection, I did in fact see them keep trying (albeit fruitlessly because their system was screwy or nonexistent or whatever).

 

[Deuce22]

Never quitting is much less about blowout losses, and rather seeing the players keep skating hard and trying despite being down. From my recollection, I did in fact see them keep trying (albeit fruitlessly because their system was screwy or nonexistent or whatever).

Point taken, but faint praise. Either the team stopped trying in those blowouts or the coaching was incompetent.

 

[branmuffin17]

Point taken, but faint praise. Either the team stopped trying in those blowouts or the coaching was incompetent.

I mean it's possible it's some of both. As bad as those teams were constructed the past couple of years, and as much as I wanted to blame it on that over the coaching, the team DOES look more focused this year. I wish we could see 2 coaches with the same roster, then we could identify much more easily which of the two were the bigger problem.

 

[Rooch]

LaCombe is the victim of circumstance at the moment. Lyubushkin and Gudas are much more ideal fits next to Fowler for the play style, but they like 46-34 (only pairing they’ve kept together all season) and as much as I love Radko, I don’t think he can physically handle a top-pairing workload. Get Drysdale back next to Cam (hopefully soon) and return Jackson with Gudas and you’ll see a more comfortable 60.

Please explain why Gudas can't "physically handle a top-pairing workload." I've seen nothing to indicate that. In fact, I'd say it's apparent that Cam Fowler is the one d-man regressing on this team while Gudas displays nothing but energy and heart on a shift by shift basis.

 

[TheGoodShepard1]

Please explain why Gudas can't "physically handle a top-pairing workload." I've seen nothing to indicate that. In fact, I'd say it's apparent that Cam Fowler is the one d-man regressing on this team while Gudas displays nothing but energy and heart on a shift by shift basis.

Can you extrapolate how good Gudas has been over his average time on ice of 18:35 to Cam playing 24 minutes a night in all situations with him getting the toughest matchups at even strength? I would tend to agree that Cam is playing too many minutes as well, especially on the penalty kill

 

[ADHB]

Can you extrapolate how good Gudas has been over his average time on ice of 18:35 to Cam playing 24 minutes a night in all situations with him getting the toughest matchups at even strength? I would tend to agree that Cam is playing too many minutes as well, especially on the penalty kill

Either he's pacing himself or he's just exhausted. When you watch him play, you would never know he's one of the best skaters in the league. He skates slower than most guys on the ice most of the time, and you only see any sort of acceleration in short bursts on an offensive chance maybe 2-3 times a game.

 

[Rooch]

Can you extrapolate how good Gudas has been over his average time on ice of 18:35 to Cam playing 24 minutes a night in all situations with him getting the toughest matchups at even strength? I would tend to agree that Cam is playing too many minutes as well, especially on the penalty kill

I can't provide any sort of statistical analysis. I'm judging based on what I see in terms of impact on the game. From my perspective, Gudas' physical play, his heart for this team, and his occasional scoring touch are making a significant difference in the outcome of the game most nights. This is not to say Cam is a slug; he's clearly been our best defender for years, maybe since Scotty retired. The way he carries the puck and evades defenders in the D zone are incredibly valuable. But this year I feel like he's lost a step and is turning the puck over more frequently, especially on zone exits. Gudas is no innocent when it comes to turnovers either, by the way.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Except there were many games last season where the team “quit” every bit as much as they did last night. Revisionist history that they never quit on Eakins ignores the many blowout losses.

Being at the games, they didn’t quit on games even in the blowouts. They just sucked. They were still fighting to score, and still making rushes at the end of completely out of reach games. That tailed off a bit after the trade deadline, but it was literally the only reason to go last year, they played an entertaining style and never quit for the first 75-80% of the season.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Please explain why Gudas can't "physically handle a top-pairing workload." I've seen nothing to indicate that. In fact, I'd say it's apparent that Cam Fowler is the one d-man regressing on this team while Gudas displays nothing but energy and heart on a shift by shift basis.

Never playing top pairing minutes in his entire career, and now being 33 is the easy answer to this.

 

[70sSanO]

Never quitting is much less about blowout losses, and rather seeing the players keep skating hard and trying despite being down. From my recollection, I did in fact see them keep trying (albeit fruitlessly because their system was screwy or nonexistent or whatever).

I guess 22/23 Leason vs 23/24 Leason might be seen as quitting, or maybe a better word is avoidance.

A lot of last year’s players may have kept skating, but they played like the puck was a hot potato. How fast could they move it to someone else, even if it was just 5 feet.

John

 

[branmuffin17]

I guess 22/23 Leason vs 23/24 Leason might be seen as quitting, or maybe a better word is avoidance.

A lot of last year’s players may have kept skating, but they played like the puck was a hot potato. How fast could they move it to someone else, even if it was just 5 feet.

John

That might have been the MO from Eakins and group...don't hold the puck too long, unless your name is Troy Terry.