Speculation: 2023-24 Roster Thread

[Deuce22]

I don't have to assume Fowler-Vaaks would be worse. The team already tried it out and already decided to switch to rookie LaCombe, if you have been watching the games. LaCombe wins puck battles, gets the puck out of our zone, and often changes. Fowler stays out longer and that's Fowler improves his +/- rating. Thus, the CF/FF and xGF truly doesn't favor LaCombe. Listening to the post game wrap on Ducks Stream, Alexis made a point on one of Rico's goals that LaCombe winning the puck in the Dzone and getting it out lead to Rico's goal, but LaCombe wasn't on the ice when Rico scored. Yet, Alexis said if it wasn't for LaCombe, then Rico doesn't get that opportunity.

We win with LaCombe on the top pairing and the only other d-man on the top pairing to win a game with Fowler is Drysdale. Apparently, the data for better Ducks d-pairings don't move the needle for wins enough.

When Drysdale returns, then he goes back to the top line and Lacombe goes back to pairing with Gudas. It's not really a shakeup, but going back to how the team started.

Our big problem isn't on defense, but our forwards lack of scoring at ES (5v5), lack of being a puck hound on dump and chase, lack of rotation when a D pinches, and lack of backchecking. Tonight's win had 1 PP goal, 2 4v4 goals, 1 Shortie, and 1 ES (5v5) goal. I've been identifying our lack of ES (5v5) goal scoring for quite some time now as our biggest culprit for losing.

In your haste to come to LaCombe's defense, you completely missed my point. The PAIRING ranked 190 out of 194. I like LaCombe, just in a roll where his offense can shine.

 

[Ducks DVM]

The Fowler - LaCombe pair is not working and it’s not because of the individual players it’s the combo.

I think it’s both. Neither belongs on a top pairing, but LaCombe REALLY doesn’t belong on a top pairing on the wrong side. It’d be interesting to see that evaluation with LaCombe on the left, but we just don’t have anything ideal for the role.

The thought that we have guys who have better ratings (because they’re appropriately slotted and used), so CLEARLY they should be given top pairing duties instead, doesn’t fly. It’s like saying that because Huskins/Schneider were +23/+24 and Beauchemin/Neidermeyer were -9/-2, that we should have swapped them as well.

The only reasonable swap would be Gudas, but that’s a “win now” move that leaves a rookie mid-pair. They 100% clearly value mentoring the kids over wins this year, which is hard to argue, and I’m not convinced that Gudas can pull the minutes that needs, and/or has the mobility to make it happen. They’re also clearly (IMO) slowly pushing Mintyukov’s boundaries, and backing off his responsibilities when he struggles. Pretty much zero real options.

it’s easier when you look at this year’s plan as helping them win in 2-3 years, not today.

 

[Goose of Reason]

Interesting

 

[Hockey Duckie]

In your haste to come to LaCombe's defense, you completely missed my point. The PAIRING ranked 190 out of 194. I like LaCombe, just in a roll where his offense can shine.

Anaheim doesn't possesses a top pairing D right now and we do have to put someone up on the top pair with Fowler, who also isn't a #1 shutdown D, but more of an OFD. And your fixation on "ranking" without context is concerning, especially when you identify LaCombe isn't in a proper role and we are lacking better talent depth. That's what everyone calls cognitive dissonance.

Also, I posited the reason why the CF/FF and xGF rating is low for LaCombe, which is he switches out often when we win the puck back and the puck is safely into the Ozone.

We see flashes of offense for LaCombe, but it's his defense is what's important to the team at the moment when placed on the top pairing. LaCombe is a staple on the PK, which is huge for a rookie. Our PK went from 31st last year to 15th after last night's game. Vaak nor fellow rookie Minty are not staples on the PK unit. That's how much better LaCombe's defense is compared to those two.

Now, let's look at who helps gives the Ducks a better chance at winning.

​

Ducks 2023-24​	Games​	1 to 30​	​	​	​
Top pair w/ Fowler​	Games​	.​	Wins​	Losses​	OTL​	Pts​
Drysdale​	2​	​	1​	1​	0​	2​
Luneau​	6​	​	0​	6​	0​	0​
Vaak​	1​	​	0​	1​	0​	0​
LaCombe​	21​	​	10​	11​	0​	20​
Total​	30​	​	11​	19​	0​	22​

Vaak actually started two games with Fowler, but was replaced by LaCombe in-game for Vaak's second game to help the Ducks begin the 6-game win streak.

You point to ranking 190 out of 194 pairings and I'll point to the chart above. Guess which one carries more value. LaCombe-Fowler is a necessary evil because we lack talent.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Interesting

Wo..

 

[Mr Rogers]

Terry's instincts are so good, this is why i'm not worried about him at all going forward.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Interesting

It feels expected, seeing Gibby exit the game after the 2nd period. Calle probably plays backup tonight.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Terry's instincts are so good, this is why i'm not worried about him at all going forward.

I hope he's pulling himself together, the last couple games have been night and day in terms of him being able to both keep the puck and do something useful with it.

 

[QuackAttack90]

If Gibson was merely dehydrated then shouldn't he be fine by now?

 

[JAHV]

Terry's instincts are so good, this is why i'm not worried about him at all going forward.

I admit I don't understand the use of "yuck" there. That seemed more of a "yum" type of sequence.

 

[Ducks DVM]

I admit I don't understand the use of "yuck" there. That seemed more of a "yum" type of sequence.

I was assuming it’s a New Jersey fan.

 

[ducks8]

If Gibson was merely dehydrated then shouldn't he be fine by now?

Maybe he was severely dehydrated due to a illness. Could just be a recover day for him. Or he's getting traded

 

[ohcomeonref]

I admit I don't understand the use of "yuck" there. That seemed more of a "yum" type of sequence.

I'm assuming ironic usage like saying "that's nasty!"

 

[Deuce22]

Anaheim doesn't possesses a top pairing D right now and we do have to put someone up on the top pair with Fowler, who also isn't a #1 shutdown D, but more of an OFD. And your fixation on "ranking" without context is concerning, especially when you identify LaCombe isn't in a proper role and we are lacking better talent depth. That's what everyone calls cognitive dissonance.

Also, I posited the reason why the CF/FF and xGF rating is low for LaCombe, which is he switches out often when we win the puck back and the puck is safely into the Ozone.

We see flashes of offense for LaCombe, but it's his defense is what's important to the team at the moment when placed on the top pairing. LaCombe is a staple on the PK, which is huge for a rookie. Our PK went from 31st last year to 15th after last night's game. Vaak nor fellow rookie Minty are not staples on the PK unit. That's how much better LaCombe's defense is compared to those two.

Now, let's look at who helps gives the Ducks a better chance at winning.

​

Ducks 2023-24​	Games​	1 to 30​	​	​	​
Top pair w/ Fowler​	Games​	.​	Wins​	Losses​	OTL​	Pts​
Drysdale​	2​	​	1​	1​	0​	2​
Luneau​	6​	​	0​	6​	0​	0​
Vaak​	1​	​	0​	1​	0​	0​
LaCombe​	21​	​	10​	11​	0​	20​
Total​	30​	​	11​	19​	0​	22​

Vaak actually started two games with Fowler, but was replaced by LaCombe in-game for Vaak's second game to help the Ducks begin the 6-game win streak.

You point to ranking 190 out of 194 pairings and I'll point to the chart above. Guess which one carries more value. LaCombe-Fowler is a necessary evil because we lack talent.

I get that you don’t have much use for fancy stats, I’m a bit skeptical as well. But my skepticism is also triggered by +/- or W/L record. I suppose Dostal gives the Ducks a better chance to win than Gibson, as his W/L record is better. You use these simplistic “stats” liberally.

 

[MMC]

 

[ducks8]

Guess that solves the mystery of last night. Was he really dehydrated? Or

 

[2faded]

So the road trip is over today? no games for the IR squad

 

[Leonardo87]

So the road trip is over today? no games for the IR squad

As I said, we won't know till warm ups. There was no full skate today since they played last night.

 

[2faded]

As I said, we won't know till warm ups. There was no full skate today since they played last night.

Don't they have to send ppl down?

 

[Leonardo87]

Don't they have to send ppl down?

For Zegras and Drysdale yes, but not McTavish.

 

[lwvs84]

For Zegras and Drysdale yes, but not McTavish.

If one of Z/Drysdale are back and McTavish is not, they can also put Mac on IR retroactively I think.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Is this Gibson’s first child? His goals and assists are going to disappear based on Terry if so.

 

[ADHB]

Is this Gibson’s first child? His goals and assists are going to disappear based on Terry if so.

I know you're just joking, but in case the first part of your post was serious, he has two kids already.

So maybe that's why he's gone to crap the last 3 years.

 

[DuckDuckGetz]

I hope he's pulling himself together, the last couple games have been night and day in terms of him being able to both keep the puck and do something useful with it.

playing better on a road trip only adds credence to the newborn baby affecting his sleep conspiracy theory

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

playing better on a road trip only adds credence to the newborn baby affecting his sleep conspiracy theory

Back...and to the left.