Speculation: 2023-24 Roster Thread

[Leonardo87]

I was there for the blanket, didn't get one (but not because they were out) it didn't feel as crowded as those numbers and I didn't see as many Minny fans as I thought I would (which is another reason I went to that game over Chicago) but people did start emptying out a lot earlier than normal so

Edit: my date at one point mentioned how empty the place felt compared to the last time she went.

Everyone was probably on the Brewery X porch. That’s where I go when the team is not playing well, lol

 

[Leonardo87]

Actual attendance or tickets sold?

Attendance…

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Going into next season, Beeker has some work cut out for him

Signed (Just tossing names in there, not necessarily the lines/pairings)
Killorn - Carlsson - Terry
Vatrano - McT - Strome
Zegras -_________ - _________
Johnston- __________ - _________

Fowler - Zel
Minty - Gudas
_______ - _________

Gibson
Dostal

Expected extensions: Lundy, LaCombe,
Possible extensions: Vaaks (?), Leason (?), Lindstrom (?)
Likely non-tendered: Jones, Groulx

In the system worth mention: (No idea on most of these guys, fill in the blanks)
Gauthier - Likely Anaheim bound
Sidorov - Likely AHL
Dionicio -
Hvidston -
Colangelo - Hoping he signs

AHL guys:
Nester - needs an extension
Gaucher - sounds like they want at least 1 more year in AHL
Tracey- needs an extension
Regenda- needs an extension
Pasta - No idea if hes going to earn a spot or pan out
Hinds - Likely AHL
Warren- Likely AHL
Helleson- Likely AHL
Luneau - could see some time in Anaheim


Sound about right? Miss anyone?

At the Migration presentation, Verbeek said he expects Luneau in the NHL and Gaucher is gonna need a longer time to develop.

The specialized development of Luneau, akin to Carlsson's load mgmt, and play at the NHL level was a significant factor for Verbeek to trade Drysdale away to acquire Cutter. Barring the knee injury doesn't recover, Luneau is NHL bound to continue to shorten the reset rebuild timeline

Last night, marked the first time Fowler's minutes have been slashed and played 2nd pairing minutes. Minty is will probably be playing 1st pairing D to close out this season, implying he will be 1LD to start next season. Gudas' injury probably is a blessing in disguise for the team because we will probably see more of LaCombe as Minty's RD pairing. If LaCombe succeeds to close out the season, then the team has more options.

Potential D lineup
Minty - LaCombe
Fowler - Luneau
Zell - Gudas
Vaak (?)

LaCombe may very well be a stop gap until the Ducks find an upgrade at RD either via draft, trade, or FA signing. But if we are thinking ahead, Fowler and Gudas' contracts end the year after next... if they make it that far. LaCombe, then could slide back to the left side to replace Fowler or move down the right side to replace Gudas. Or LaCombe could surprise us all and look good at 1RD.

 

[duckaroosky]

I was directed here from the closed GDT which seems odd to put here but this gave me a good chuckle and wanted to share it. It feels like it's been this long since the last ducks win:

 

[ScarTroy]

At the Migration presentation, Verbeek said he expects Luneau in the NHL and Gaucher is gonna need a longer time to develop.

The specialized development of Luneau, akin to Carlsson's load mgmt, and play at the NHL level was a significant factor for Verbeek to trade Drysdale away to acquire Cutter. Barring the knee injury doesn't recover, Luneau is NHL bound to continue to shorten the reset rebuild timeline

Last night, marked the first time Fowler's minutes have been slashed and played 2nd pairing minutes. Minty is will probably be playing 1st pairing D to close out this season, implying he will be 1LD to start next season. Gudas' injury probably is a blessing in disguise for the team because we will probably see more of LaCombe as Minty's RD pairing. If LaCombe succeeds to close out the season, then the team has more options.

Potential D lineup
Minty - LaCombe
Fowler - Luneau
Zell - Gudas
Vaak (?)

LaCombe may very well be a stop gap until the Ducks find an upgrade at RD either via draft, trade, or FA signing. But if we are thinking ahead, Fowler and Gudas' contracts end the year after next... if they make it that far. LaCombe, then could slide back to the left side to replace Fowler or move down the right side to replace Gudas. Or LaCombe could surprise us all and look good at 1RD.

I think it would be a mistake to let LaCombe go. He’s been the victim of us sheltering Mintyukov, which is the right move, but still sucks for LaCombe. By the time Fowler and Gudas are gone I think he’ll be a 2nd pairing guy. Unless of course they can package him with a 1st for a solid upgrade, I’d say keep him and see what he becomes.

 

[DuckDuckGetz]

looks like there were over 16k people there last night at 95% capacity, not bad at all given the state of the team and on weekday night. Guess everyone wanted a blanket? lol

I almost never have anybody sitting next to me but our entire row was full last night

 

[All Mighty]

I think it would be a mistake to let LaCombe go. He’s been the victim of us sheltering Mintyukov, which is the right move, but still sucks for LaCombe. By the time Fowler and Gudas are gone I think he’ll be a 2nd pairing guy. Unless of course they can package him with a 1st for a solid upgrade, I’d say keep him and see what he becomes.

The issue is where does he play in the near future? There is barely a spot for him as is.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

The issue is where does he play in the near future? There is barely a spot for him as is.

He gets a ton of ice time. Whatever we think here, his place in the lineup doesn't seem like it's in jeopardy at all.

 

[All Mighty]

He gets a ton of ice time. Whatever we think here, his place in the lineup doesn't seem like it's in jeopardy at all.

This is assuming we don’t add anyone on defense, which is possible, but I don’t think is likely. Gudas, Fowler, Minty, Zell, and possibly Luneau are all likely favored over him by the organization. And I mean we gave Benoit plenty of ice time and then didn’t bother qualifying him. Someone has to play these minutes.

 

[ScarTroy]

The issue is where does he play in the near future? There is barely a spot for him as is.

Definitely a fair question, and I’m glad I’m not the one having to make those calls. I’d probably go with this next season.

Minty - UFA/ Trade
Fowler - Gudas
Lacombe - Zell
Vaaks

Luneau in the AHL as first call up. Depending on the UFA/ Trade, that could be the first time in a while where our defenseman would actually be playing on the actual pairing they belong. That’s assuming Minty continues his trajectory also though.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

This is assuming we don’t add anyone on defense, which is possible, but I don’t think is likely. Gudas, Fowler, Minty, Zell, and possibly Luneau are all likely favored over him by the organization. And I mean we gave Benoit plenty of ice time and then didn’t bother qualifying him. Someone has to play these minutes.

LaCombe offers more than Benoit.

Definitely a fair question, and I’m glad I’m not the one having to make those calls. I’d probably go with this next season.

Minty - UFA/ Trade
Fowler - Gudas
Lacombe - Zell
Vaaks

Luneau in the AHL as first call up. Depending on the UFA/ Trade, that could be the first time in a while where our defenseman would actually be playing on the actual pairing they belong. That’s assuming Minty continues his trajectory also though.

I'm not sure if acquiring a top-4 RD is the correct thing to do next season since we're still "rearing" in all four youth defensemen in Minty, LaCombe, Zell, and Luneau. Zell and Luneau will actually play a full NHL season next year. With that many unknowns and development needed, it just feels too soon to grab a top-4RD next year. The following year might be better since Fowler and Gudas are on their last year of the contracts.

Although, grabbing a top-4RD could tremendously boost our defense, but how much with two more rookies joining the ranks?

I think Gudas would be optimum as a 3rd pairing D who is PK1 and out at the end of games to protect a lead or tie. After seeing Gudas with elevated minutes, it affected his energy on the ice that he looked noticeably slow or statuesque at times.

 

[ScarTroy]

LaCombe offers more than Benoit.



I'm not sure if acquiring a top-4 RD is the correct thing to do next season since we're still "rearing" in all four youth defensemen in Minty, LaCombe, Zell, and Luneau. Zell and Luneau will actually play a full NHL season next year. With that many unknowns and development needed, it just feels too soon to grab a top-4RD next year. The following year might be better since Fowler and Gudas are on their last year of the contracts.

Although, grabbing a top-4RD could tremendously boost our defense, but how much with two more rookies joining the ranks?

I think Gudas would be optimum as a 3rd pairing D who is PK1 and out at the end of games to protect a lead or tie. After seeing Gudas with elevated minutes, it affected his energy on the ice that he looked noticeably slow or statuesque at times.

I’m just not ready to pencil Luneau into the NHL yet, especially with him missing so much time this season. If they are set on keeping him up, then sure it might be better to wait until next offseason to acquire a top 4 D.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I’m just not ready to pencil Luneau into the NHL yet, especially with him missing so much time this season. If they are set on keeping him up, then sure it might be better to wait until next offseason to acquire a top 4 D.

Verbeek rushed Carlsson, Minty, and Luneau. LaCombe got rushed to 1D in the sixth game of the season instead of bringing someone else up to play 1RD to keep LaCombe paired with RD Gudas. Zell staying in the AHL for the rest of the season is also Verbeek pushing/rushing a bit. Curious if Verbeek will sit Zell down for two games this season so Zell might be considered for the Calder next year?

With Luneau, it's inevitable that he's gonna be here. Verbeek sacrificed Luneau's junior season so Luneau can bulk up and get some exposure at the NHL level. Luneau complained that all he did was body build. Tack on the fact that Verbeek traded away Drysdale, then there's a dire need to see what we have in Luneau ASAP (for all of the factors listed above).

Verbeek is just too invested to put Luneau in the AHL and wants to shorten the rebuild. He wants Luneau to get acclimated to the NHL next year to keep the development cog moving forward.

well, that's just my opinion.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Attendance…

If I’m not mistaken teams always announce tickets sold and not actual attendance. It’s bad marketing to admit people aren’t showing up for games after already buying tickets. They call it attendance but it’s really tickets sold. It tends to be more obvious on game nights when the arena (anywhere, not just ANA) is far from full but they announce an obviously larger number.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

The issue is where does he play in the near future? There is barely a spot for him as is.

I think he’s fine, I think fowler is gone when his contract is up (maybe that deadline or draft if there are trades available)…. lacombe is flexible, can play both sides and any scenario really I think he’s solid enough to hold on to.

I prefer him over Vaaks…. Maybe hinds makes him expendable at some point, or draft happens and we end up with Dickinson

 

[All Mighty]

I’m just not ready to pencil Luneau into the NHL yet, especially with him missing so much time this season. If they are set on keeping him up, then sure it might be better to wait until next offseason to acquire a top 4 D.

I also wouldn’t put Luneau in the NHL, but Verbeek made it sound like that’s the plan. And I also think that LaCombe should’ve been in the AHL for much of this season.

 

[lwvs84]

LaCombe and Zellweger can both play the right side. I'd still like to get a top 4 RHD and create competition for at least 1 spot.

LD: Fowler/Minty/Vaak
RD: Gudas/FA/???

That doesn't mean that Vaak is given a spot either, I don't think he can be sent down though. That leaves a LD, RD, and #7 spot (likely Vaakanainen if he's outplayed). Play a vet with a kid and spread the minutes out unless one of the pairs sets themselves apart from the others. Ideally, it's probably:
Minty-FA/Trade
Fowler-Zell
LaCombe/Vaak-Gudas

That leaves the team with:
Zegras-Carlsson-Gauthier
Vatrano-McTavish-Terry
Killorn-Lundestrom-Strome

Fill in the 4th line with one enforcer (I wonder what the adds for a Johnston for Des trade would be) and a couple of energy/PK guys.

 

[robbieboy3686]

The issue is where does he play in the near future? There is barely a spot for him as is.

Lacombe is Marcus Peterson all over again. No spot for him. The difference is, Peterson made a career for himself after being traded. Not sure lacombe will yet.

 

[cheesymc]

Lacombe is Marcus Peterson all over again. No spot for him. The difference is, Peterson made a career for himself after being traded. Not sure lacombe will yet.

Man, you guys are ready to jump ship on Beevis so quickly. Dude just played his first season in the NHL (on one of the worst teams in the league) coming from the NCAA and skipping the AHL. We haven't learned our lesson from Montour and Theodore I see...

 

[Gliff]

Man, you guys are ready to jump ship on Beevis so quickly. Dude just played his first season in the NHL (on one of the worst teams in the league) coming from the NCAA and skipping the AHL. We haven't learned our lesson from Montour and Theodore I see...

Someone is going to be expendable and likely make a good career somewhere. It is what it is. You just hope that we keep the best of the bunch.

Can we please stop acting like Montour was some trade we bombed like Theodore? He didnt break out until his 6th season outside of Anaheim, and he had been traded AGAIN for just a 3rd rounder. The only thing that suck is the fact that we bombed the return. For the first 5 years of that traded it looked like a lose/lose trade where noone won. Turns out Florida won, and it just took 6 seasons.

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

I also wouldn’t put Luneau in the NHL, but Verbeek made it sound like that’s the plan. And I also think that LaCombe should’ve been in the AHL for much of this season.

I wonder if Verbeek promised LaCombe NHL time immediately to entice him to sign. Seemed like that was the case with Nesterenko and could be the case with Colangelo if he winds up signing.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Man, you guys are ready to jump ship on Beevis so quickly. Dude just played his first season in the NHL (on one of the worst teams in the league) coming from the NCAA and skipping the AHL. We haven't learned our lesson from Montour and Theodore I see...

How old is lacombe? No matter who he’s been paired with, he makes 3 or more fatal errors each game. If he can clean that up. He has staying power in the nhl( for another team) and I hope he does. For his sake.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I also wouldn’t put Luneau in the NHL, but Verbeek made it sound like that’s the plan. And I also think that LaCombe should’ve been in the AHL for much of this season.

Can you imagine the play of Minty if Minty was sacrificed at 1RD as a Left Shot in order to properly shelter LaCombe for 68 NHL games in a 3rd or 2nd D-pairing? Nope b/c many don't do that with LaCombe.

LaCombe was the most advanced developed d-man among the youths from the rookie tourney and training camp. That is partly why LaCombe was sacrificed to the top line when Drysdale fell to injury, Luneau didn't work out after two games, as well as Vaak couldn't hack it for a game and a half. If LaCombe was actually sheltered with Gudas all season, then why would LaCombe need to go to the AHL?

 

[Hey234]

With LaCombe, IMO, it's tough looking long-term. Mintyukov, Zellweger, and Luneau have clearly been identified by current management as core. Let's say the Ducks draft a defenseman with their #1 pick this season (which is very possible), that player is likely also core.

That leaves two spots. It seems reasonable to assume, like most teams, that at least one of their six defenseman will be acquired not through the draft, but through free agency, trades, waiver, etc... So that leaves one spot for LaCombe, Vaakanainen, Hinds, Helleson, Moore, etc...

I've said this previously, but Vaakanainen was part of PV's first big moves. It's a large trade for him and I have to believe that he's not keen on letting Vaakanainen sit on the bench or leave in the near future.

I think LaCombe is going to be a really solid player and I would not advocate trading him for a low pick. But I can see an argument that he could be used as part of a larger trade to acquire someone high end.

 

[Rooch]

For Ducks, the waiting is the hardest part | The Sporting Tribune

Anaheim hasn’t made the playoffs in six years, but GM suggests drought may end next year. National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman was in Anaheim recently, and the evidence suggests he liked what he saw. “We’re excited to bring tentpole events here,” he said during a scrum with reporters...

thesportingtribune.com

Thought I was the only one.