Speculation: 2023-24 Roster Thread

[The Midnight Burrito]

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.

I took it for granted that that was the case, especially once PV switched him from an ATO to an ELC.

But now my brain is whispering to me that that might have been Nesterenko. But I think it was LaCombe.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Somehow I just don't think that Mintyukov, Zellweger, and Luneau will all be here the next 10 years. That's asking and expecting everything to go right for all 3 of them to develop as expected/hoped for. That's asking a lot.

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

I took it for granted that that was the case, especially once PV switched him from an ATO to an ELC.

But now my brain is whispering to me that that might have been Nesterenko. But I think it was LaCombe.

It was Nesterenko. Can't find the original source at the moment, but it's mentioned in the signing thread:

Confirmed with Link: - Ducks sign Nikita Nesterenko to ELC (2 years, $925K AAV)

forums.hfboards.com

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I took it for granted that that was the case, especially once PV switched him from an ATO to an ELC.

But now my brain is whispering to me that that might have been Nesterenko. But I think it was LaCombe.

We signed three NCAA'ers after their season ended last year.

- LaCombe signed a current contract (ELC burn)
- Nesterenko signed a current contract (ELC burn)
- Caulfield signed a futures contract (ELC starts next season)

LaCombe was probably offered to burn his ELC as soon as his senior season ended. Verbeek was hot after him and Thrun in their junior season. Both returned to college. No way Verbeek was going to lose LaCombe after Thrun didn't want to stay with the Ducks.

Verbeek said he signed Nestrenko to an ATO and his future contract ELC that was supposed to start next season, but then later we find out it starts this year (current contract). Good on Nesterenko to force that hand since he can easily just walk as a FA, but Verbeek traded for him and couldn't lose face. I didn't think he was that high end of a prospect to necessitate an ELC burn.

We signed NCAA F Caulfield to a future contract ELC that started the following year. Caulfield was going to return to college for a fifth season (COVID extension) since his original team didn't want to sign him. We traded for him and Caulfield changed his mind on going back to college.

 

[All Mighty]

I’m very interested to see how our PP lineup eventually shakes out. Carlsson, Zegras, McTavish, and Gauthier all are used to playing the same spot, so at least 2 of them will have to learn to play elsewhere.

 

[Rybread86]

I’m very interested to see how our PP lineup eventually shakes out. Carlsson, Zegras, McTavish, and Gauthier all are used to playing the same spot, so at least 2 of them will have to learn to play elsewhere.

Thats interesting because I see them all as having different specialties.

I can see Cutter taking the Ovi spot. Carlsson or McT net front... probably McT. Z kinda roams. I can see Carlsson more on the half wall and then Zelle or Minty from the point

 

[MMC]

 

[MMC]

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Figured. Dude needs to strengthen his legs though

 

[DuckDuckGetz]

Figured. Dude needs to strengthen his legs though

I can't imagine there's much you can do to prevent a dead leg... That's a nerve thing, not muscles

 

[MMC]

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

I should probably get to practice more often. I've never seen a green practice jersey. Don't tell me they're left over from St Paddy's day?

 

[Leonardo87]

Trying to remain positive for the future, came across this…



Also, add Gauthier to this draftee list.

 

[All Mighty]

Stalock sent back to the Gulls.

 

[Mr Rogers]

Trying to remain positive for the future, came across this…

View attachment 841238

Also, add Gauthier to this draftee list.

Strong potential for highway robbery on our part in that draft

 

[Kalv]

We officially cannot exceed 70 points this season meaning we're guaranteed a bottom 7 finish and a top 9 pick

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Hoping to hear us sign Colangelo soon.

 

[FlyingV09]

Who on this team has taken a step forward this year? I can’t think of any meaningful progress other than Vatrano, Mintyukov, and maybe Dostal.
McTavish started strong but has been abysmal lately. Same with Carlsson. Terry has been inconsistent. Zegras struggled out of the gate then got injured.

These are the guys that we are counting on to bring us back to meaningful hockey and I am very disappointed in the lack of progression this year. I wasn’t expecting the playoffs but I was expecting better than this.

 

[All Mighty]

 

[Static]

Please no. Rest man

 

[dracom]

if he's healthy enough to go I think he should go. getting to play in a more than likely winning environment may do wonders for him.

 

[Leonardo87]

if he's healthy enough to go I think he should go. getting to play in a more than likely winning environment may do wonders for him.

Yeah it’s pretty early the WC. Will still have plenty of time to rest and get ready for Sept. Heck, wonder if Gauthier and Zegras could join Team USA. Zegras missed most of the season he should be playing. Also could see Leo playing for Sweden.

I understand you guys want to see them rest. But if healthy , Our kids need to play, especially the ones who missed a lot of time. Plus, want to see them in a winning and competitive environment and not this dumpster fire team.

They need this for not just the physical aspects but the mental ones as well.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Yeah it’s pretty early the WC. Will still have plenty of time to rest and get ready for Sept. Heck, wonder if Gauthier and Zegras could join Team USA. Zegras missed most of the season he should be playing. Also could see Leo playing for Sweden.

I understand you guys want to see them rest. But if healthy , Our kids need to play, especially the ones who missed a lot of time. Plus, want to see them in a winning and competitive environment and not this dumpster fire team.

They need this for not just the physical aspects but the mental ones as well.

Mac isn't healthy, but he is cleared to play. There's a significant difference. Mac is playing hurt. Mac has been playing hurt.

Mac
First 20 games: 21 pts (1.05 ppg)
Next 43 games: 20 pts (0.42 ppg)

Recall, Mac didn't have a lot of games played during his COVID season, which was his draft season. It didn't prevent him from developing his overall game. I'd prefer the 100% Mac, who can score over 1.00 ppg rate than the one that's struggled on the ice. Mac doesn't possess the same power and accuracy with his slapshot anymore. Last year, Mac had 7 PP goals with the booming, slapshot variety. This year, he has 4 PP goals, but I don't recall it being scored the same way often.

It seems facetious to reprimand a player while playing through injury. Mac got demoted to the 4th line, but Cronin said it was to balance out the forward lines or something like that. Why not say he was demoted for bad play? We fans know he's been playing terribly and deserved it.

 

[JabbaJabba]

Who on this team has taken a step forward this year? I can’t think of any meaningful progress other than Vatrano, Mintyukov, and maybe Dostal.
McTavish started strong but has been abysmal lately. Same with Carlsson. Terry has been inconsistent. Zegras struggled out of the gate then got injured.

These are the guys that we are counting on to bring us back to meaningful hockey and I am very disappointed in the lack of progression this year. I wasn’t expecting the playoffs but I was expecting better than this.

Vaakanainen for sure has taken a step forward. If you count Mintyukov then I think you should count LaCombe and Zellweger as well. And Carlsson who despite being inconsistent has exceeded expectations.

 

[GermanRocket7]

I'd love to see both Bedard and McT play, as I'll be at Canada's opener against Great Britain. Gonna have to figure out how to get to the player's entrance for some pics and autographs.