Speculation: 2023-24 Roster Thread

[The Midnight Burrito]

Sure, why not.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I'm curious as to why LaCombe didn't get sent down to San Diego, even on paper, after Verbeek acquired Large-guy and Zellweger was gonna stay with the NHL club for the rest of the season? San Diego could really use some help defensively and LaCombe could be part of PP1 or PP2.

 

[Ducks]

What a mess.

 

[Hey234]

Based on PV's comments (thanks @Ducks DVM), if Zegras is at wing and they want a top 6 winger, then either Killorn or Vatrano will join Strome on the third line. Gauthier should start on the 3rd but my guess is they'll try him with Carlsson early. My thought is that they use LaCombe and Edmonton's 1st to trade for a RW.

Zegras-McTavish-Terry
Gauthier-Carlsson-Trade
Killorn-Strome-Vatrano
Regenda-Lundestrom-Leason

I also can't imagine PV doesn't upgrade at defense if he expects to try for the playoffs. It's clear Luneau and Zellweger are playing next season from his comments. There's only so much space which is why I think they'll trade LaCombe. Roy in UFA would make a lot of sense and the Ducks have plenty of cap space.

Fowler-Luneau
Mintyukov-Roy
Zellweger-Gudas
Vaakanainen

 

[ScarTroy]

Based on PV's comments (thanks @Ducks DVM), if Zegras is at wing and they want a top 6 winger, then either Killorn or Vatrano will join Strome on the third line. Gauthier should start on the 3rd but my guess is they'll try him with Carlsson early. My thought is that they use LaCombe and Edmonton's 1st to trade for a RW.

Zegras-McTavish-Terry
Gauthier-Carlsson-Trade
Killorn-Strome-Vatrano
Regenda-Lundestrom-Leason

I also can't imagine PV doesn't upgrade at defense if he expects to try for the playoffs. It's clear Luneau and Zellweger are playing next season from his comments. There's only so much space which is why I think they'll trade LaCombe. Roy in UFA would make a lot of sense and the Ducks have plenty of cap space.

Fowler-Luneau
Mintyukov-Roy
Zellweger-Gudas
Vaakanainen

This lineup healthy would be super fun to watch. Hopefully we can figure out that healthy part next season.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Based on PV's comments (thanks @Ducks DVM), if Zegras is at wing and they want a top 6 winger, then either Killorn or Vatrano will join Strome on the third line. Gauthier should start on the 3rd but my guess is they'll try him with Carlsson early. My thought is that they use LaCombe and Edmonton's 1st to trade for a RW.

Zegras-McTavish-Terry
Gauthier-Carlsson-Trade
Killorn-Strome-Vatrano
Regenda-Lundestrom-Leason

I also can't imagine PV doesn't upgrade at defense if he expects to try for the playoffs. It's clear Luneau and Zellweger are playing next season from his comments. There's only so much space which is why I think they'll trade LaCombe. Roy in UFA would make a lot of sense and the Ducks have plenty of cap space.

Fowler-Luneau
Mintyukov-Roy
Zellweger-Gudas
Vaakanainen

I think it's premature to think playoffs next season unless we get some better talents at forward and defense.

We lost Rico, who's been one of our top-3 scorers, better defensive forwards, and FO specialist. We're hoping to get Zegras back to scoring, Carlsson inch closer to being dynamic daily, Mac to learn how to play defense better, and hope the duo of Vatrano & Strome play better defense. We don't know the rest of our bottom-6 will be... but it's a bottom-6.

Defensively, Luneau's probably gonna struggle in his first full season like Minty and LaCombe have. Gudas' age started to show recently when his minutes did a uptick while Fowler was out. Do we have enough proper PK'ers? It seems like a waste to use Vaak as a 7th D, especially since he can't play RD.

We need to see a more solid push in development from so many kids that the playoffs shouldn't be the goal, but their level of development is. Then we can properly assess how to structure or restructure the team in the 2025 off-season.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

I think it's premature to think playoffs next season unless we get some better talents at forward and defense.

We lost Rico, who's been one of our top-3 scorers, better defensive forwards, and FO specialist. We're hoping to get Zegras back to scoring, Carlsson inch closer to being dynamic daily, Mac to learn how to play defense better, and hope the duo of Vatrano & Strome play better defense. We don't know the rest of our bottom-6 will be... but it's a bottom-6.

Defensively, Luneau's probably gonna struggle in his first full season like Minty and LaCombe have. Gudas' age started to show recently when his minutes did a uptick while Fowler was out. Do we have enough proper PK'ers? It seems like a waste to use Vaak as a 7th D, especially since he can't play RD.

We need to see a more solid push in development from so many kids that the playoffs shouldn't be the goal, but their level of development is. Then we can properly assess how to structure or restructure the team in the 2025 off-season.

Don't be surprised if he signs rico back

 

[McDonald19]

Regenda-Lundestrom-Leason

I think Cronin would want more physicality on his 4th line. I’m also not sure Lundestrom gets a $2 mil qualifying offer to be a 4C.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Don't be surprised if he signs rico back

I'd prefer that b/c Rico actually works offensively and defensively in a top-6 role with Anaheim. That's the devil I know than don't know. Then that could put Cutter playing RW in a top-6 role. Although, it would be amazing to also acquire a top-6 RW.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Based on PV's comments (thanks @Ducks DVM), if Zegras is at wing and they want a top 6 winger, then either Killorn or Vatrano will join Strome on the third line. Gauthier should start on the 3rd but my guess is they'll try him with Carlsson early. My thought is that they use LaCombe and Edmonton's 1st to trade for a RW.

Zegras-McTavish-Terry
Gauthier-Carlsson-Trade
Killorn-Strome-Vatrano
Regenda-Lundestrom-Leason

I also can't imagine PV doesn't upgrade at defense if he expects to try for the playoffs. It's clear Luneau and Zellweger are playing next season from his comments. There's only so much space which is why I think they'll trade LaCombe. Roy in UFA would make a lot of sense and the Ducks have plenty of cap space.

Fowler-Luneau
Mintyukov-Roy
Zellweger-Gudas
Vaakanainen

He just didn’t say it, since a lot of the Dmen are auditioning and barely getting their feet wet. I would bet a lot that a top 4 physical rhd is signed at free agency or we trade for one. I agree that our Edmonton 1st and lacombe are trade pieces too

I'd prefer that b/c Rico actually works offensively and defensively in a top-6 role with Anaheim. That's the devil I know than don't know. Then that could put Cutter playing RW in a top-6 role. Although, it would be amazing to also acquire a top-6 RW.

Not happening. We need size and or a more lethal shooting presence. Also, Henrique isn’t a true top 6 player. It’s time money and cap gets spent. For true talent and not players who play above their heads/rolls

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Don't be surprised if he signs rico back

He’s not good enough to be in the top 6 and is top soft to be in the bottom 6 for this team.

 

[robbieboy3686]

He’s not good enough to be in the top 6 and is top soft to be in the bottom 6 for this team.

1000000%

 

[ScarTroy]

He’s not good enough to be in the top 6 and is top soft to be in the bottom 6 for this team.

He was 3rd on our team in points. Until someone steps the f*** up consistently other than Terry, he’s absolutely good enough for our top 6.

 

[McDonald19]

He was 3rd on our team in points. Until someone steps the f*** up consistently other than Terry, he’s absolutely good enough for our top 6.

For 24-25 sure, but how many years are you signing him for? He is in his mid-30s.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

He was 3rd on our team in points. Until someone steps the f*** up consistently other than Terry, he’s absolutely good enough for our top 6.

The team is filled with guys battling injuries / in their first few years of pro hockey. Of course hes going to be at the top end of the leaderboard.

If he signed for 1 year? maybe but I would still rather look at one of the many other UFA's that could be had with a bigger upside.

 

[DaGeneral]

I don’t see any planet where Lacombe gets moved. That would mean Verbeek moving on from 2 NHL ready defensemen in a year and I don’t see it.

 

[ScarTroy]

For 24-25 sure, but how many years are you signing him for? He is in his mid-30s.

I’d go 2-3 years until the younger guys take over. This is also assuming he’d take a vet discount to stay where his wife wants to live, I wouldn’t pay a premium for him.

The team is filled with guys battling injuries / in their first few years of pro hockey. Of course hes going to be at the top end of the leaderboard.

If he signed for 1 year? maybe but I would still rather look at one of the many other UFA's that could be had with a bigger upside.

Wanting a bigger splash is fair, but to say he’s not good enough to be in our top 6 is a bit unfair to him.

 

[lwvs84]

I think they'll pair our 4 best forwards. Probably Z and Carlsson (based on Cronin's comment that those two think alike at a high level) and Mac with Terry. I think Gauthier fits with Z/Carlsson better but that's a really young line (but I guess our top 6 will be unless we run Z at C).
Lundestrom/Killorn-Mac-Terry
Zegras-Carlsson-Gauthier
Killorn/Lundestrom-Strome-Vatrano
A top 6 forward pushes Lundestrom out of the top 9 and probably Gauthier or Killorn out of the top 6.

More time/ money needs to be spent on RD I think.
Fowler-Luneau
Minty-Gudas/New guy
Zell-Gudas/New

Also spread out the minutes more. No more 25 min games for Fowler. Have him at ES and PK, Minty and Zell run the PP's

 

[Hey234]

I don’t see any planet where Lacombe gets moved. That would mean Verbeek moving on from 2 NHL ready defensemen in a year and I don’t see it.

I hear what your saying, but there's only so many spots available. Fowler, Gudas, Mintyukov, Zellweger, Vaakanainen, LaCombe, and Luneau are already here.

Fowler, Mintyukov, Gudas, and Luneau will all play because PV stated so. Zellweger is playing the rest of the season and I can't imagine him not making it next season. That's 5 spots. Vaakanainen and LaCombe could take the 6th and 7th spots.

IMO that defense is not enough for next season. Too many rookies. If they decide to add a defenseman from outside, then that's 8 defenseman for 6 spots and all would deserve to play. Just seems like someone has to go if they need to upgrade. If PV is serious about trying for the playoffs, just seems like a logical conclusion that someone has to go.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I hear what your saying, but there's only so many spots available. Fowler, Gudas, Mintyukov, Zellweger, Vaakanainen, LaCombe, and Luneau are already here.

Fowler, Mintyukov, Gudas, and Luneau will all play because PV stated so. Zellweger is playing the rest of the season and I can't imagine him not making it next season. That's 5 spots. Vaakanainen and LaCombe could take the 6th and 7th spots.

IMO that defense is not enough for next season. Too many rookies. If they decide to add a defenseman from outside, then that's 8 defenseman for 6 spots and all would deserve to play. Just seems like someone has to go if they need to upgrade. If PV is serious about trying for the playoffs, just seems like a logical conclusion that someone has to go.

It's because we have lots of youths, which includes two rookies next year, that it doesn't make sense to go all in this off-season. Far too many variables and unknowns with our youths. Then factor in that we have only two years left of Fowler and Gudas.

When we did a reset to the rebuild, I was accepting of a five year window. We're only in year 2. It feels premature to go all in this summer with so many youths still trying to find their footing.

 

[robbieboy3686]

It's because we have lots of youths, which includes two rookies next year, that it doesn't make sense to go all in this off-season. Far too many variables and unknowns with our youths. Then factor in that we have only two years left of Fowler and Gudas.

When we did a reset to the rebuild, I was accepting of a five year window. We're only in year 2. It feels premature to go all in this summer with so many youths still trying to find their footing.

Well our gm is saying the rebuild is over now. So there’s that…

 

[Rasp]

Well our gm is saying the rebuild is over now. So there’s that…

No he isn't. He is saying he expects us to improve next year.

"challenging for playoffs" doesn't even mean making the playoffs it just means we should put ourselves in a position where it is a possibility even if its extremely unlikely.

 

[Ducks DVM]

It's because we have lots of youths, which includes two rookies next year, that it doesn't make sense to go all in this off-season. Far too many variables and unknowns with our youths. Then factor in that we have only two years left of Fowler and Gudas.

When we did a reset to the rebuild, I was accepting of a five year window. We're only in year 2. It feels premature to go all in this summer with so many youths still trying to find their footing.

No, he said that the “sell off all the pieces” era is over. We are in the “step up your game, step up your physical development, start improving and learn to win some games” part of the rebuild…NEXT year.

 

[Hey234]

It's because we have lots of youths, which includes two rookies next year, that it doesn't make sense to go all in this off-season. Far too many variables and unknowns with our youths. Then factor in that we have only two years left of Fowler and Gudas.

When we did a reset to the rebuild, I was accepting of a five year window. We're only in year 2. It feels premature to go all in this summer with so many youths still trying to find their footing.

I guess this is where we differ. I don't think signing one UFA defenseman and trading LaCombe means going all in.

I think adding a veteran defenseman who can insulate some of the younger players helps their development as well as wins/losses. Trading LaCombe does mean getting rid of an asset but at some point, the Ducks have to try to progress forward. It would also be trading from an area of depth.

 

[Deuce22]

It's because we have lots of youths, which includes two rookies next year, that it doesn't make sense to go all in this off-season. Far too many variables and unknowns with our youths. Then factor in that we have only two years left of Fowler and Gudas.

When we did a reset to the rebuild, I was accepting of a five year window. We're only in year 2. It feels premature to go all in this summer with so many youths still trying to find their footing.

I haven’t gotten any indication that we are “going all in.” I’d be in favor of trading for a younger RHD that could play with Mintyukov or Zellweger, but those guys don’t exactly grow on trees.