Speculation: 2023-24 Roster Thread

[AngelDuck]

Killorn - Zegras - Terry
Henrique - McTavish - Strome
Lundeström - Carlsson - Vatrano

...is not the worst top 9 I've seen.

It’s the best it’s been since 2017-2018. Shows how awful we’ve been.

The defense is truly awful still but better than last year. Gudas>>Shattenkirk and Drysdale>>Klingberg

Will be an interesting battle at training camp for the 3rd pairing

 

[KyleJRM]

Yeah we really really need Drysdale to be healthy and take a step forward. That would add a lot.

 

[Mortal Wombat]

Yeah we really really need Drysdale to be healthy and take a step forward. That would add a lot.

Absolutely. Drysdale is the big unknown. The 2021-22 version of him was on par with last year's version of Klingberg, but that was two years ago and imo he was rushed and not put into a position to succeed. Tough to say anything about this past season. At least he didn't have to experience the mess that was the Ducks' defense.

I see a lot of people expecting Drysdale to be a big improvement for the top 4. I truly hope he is, but I'm a little anxious about it. The defensive side of his game, so far, has been lacking. I'm hoping it was mostly just due to inexperience and the confusing defensive system. But I'm going to temper my expectations, because things could go a lot of different ways.

 

[91Fedorov]

Killorn - Zegras - Terry
Henrique - McTavish - Strome
Vatrano - Lundeström - ?
Jones - Groulx - ?

Would love to see Regenda and Nesterenko make the team.

With that said, what are the odds we see Nesterenko at center? He's listed at center and we seem a bit deep at LW.

 

[MMC]

Haven't been projecting it but you have to wonder if after Lundestrom's lack of production last year if we see him as merely a 4C by this point.

Henrique-McTavish-Terry
Killorn-Zegras-Vatrano
Jones-Strome-Silverberg
McGinn-Lundestrom-Leason/Groulx
Carrick

 

[Elvs]

I'd like to see Tarasenko signed on a similar deal Klingberg got last summer, and then you flip him at the deadline, half retained.

Killorn - McTavish - Terry
Henrique - Zegras - Tarasenko
Jones - Strome - Vatrano
McGinn - Lundestrom - Silfverberg
Carrick/Leason

Wouldn't mind keeping Grant but I'm guessing he's gonna take his last chance to cash in. There's a couple of teams desperate for bottom six centers, and he's one of the best options remaining.

 

[Leonardo87]

Top 6 looks like middle of the road for the NHL, has five 20+ goal scorers, and McTavish. Could do some damage especially with how much Z and Mac progress.

D is still a concern, Need another Top 4D.

 

[pbgoalie]

It’s the best it’s been since 2017-2018. Shows how awful we’ve been.

The defense is truly awful still but better than last year. Gudas>>Shattenkirk and Drysdale>>Klingberg

Will be an interesting battle at training camp for the 3rd pairing

Low bars for the better than!!

 

[mightyquack]

Haven't been projecting it but you have to wonder if after Lundestrom's lack of production last year if we see him as merely a 4C by this point.

Henrique-McTavish-Terry
Killorn-Zegras-Vatrano
Jones-Strome-Silverberg
McGinn-Lundestrom-Leason/Groulx
Carrick

Lundestrom is certainly closer to being a 4c at the NHL level then a 3c for sure. He's about to turn 24 and hasn't really flashed offensively at all, and has nearly three full NHL seasons of games under his belt now. He probably is who he is at this point.

 

[Quack Shot]

 

[Elvs]

No surprise there.

So does Dostal have to go through waivers next year? If that's the case he should obviously be up with the big club, which sadly is like throwing him to the wolves.

It's looking obvious that Pittsburgh will trade DeSmith, so would not be surprised to see him acquired and split duties with Dostal. But that tandem could get real ugly.

 

[MMC]

No surprise there.

So does Dostal have to go through waivers next year? If that's the case he should obviously be up with the big club, which sadly is like throwing him to the wolves.

It's looking obvious that Pittsburgh will trade DeSmith, so would not be surprised to see him acquired and split duties with Dostal. But that tandem could get real ugly.

Dostal is waiver exempt for one more year but I think he'll be on the roster regardless

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Top 6 looks like middle of the road for the NHL, has five 20+ goal scorers, and McTavish. Could do some damage especially with how much Z and Mac progress.

D is still a concern, Need another Top 4D.

I do like our top-6, especially with Killorn playing next to Zegras. That pairing should also include Terry because Terry's got more chemistry with Zegras.

Killorn-Zegras-Terry
Rico-McTavish-xxx

I'm thinking Strome probably slots in at RW on the 2nd line. Long term thinking is if we're going to lose Rico at the TDL, then we might as well have a vet with McTavish for most of the season to play with. I remember when McTavish centered Strome in the first of a back-to-back with St. Louis and that line was the only line that was positive as Zegras' line got wrecked. Later in that game, we split McTavish (1c) and Strome (2c) and we weren't ragdolled for the rest of that game and the next game the next day.

As for the D, Gudas was good get, but we're going to elevate him to top-4D when he's a bottom pairing with Florida. We still need to add a top-4D, but I don't see it happening. Probably will acquire some 6/7 D unless Verbeek is holding out hope for Vaaks and wants to rotate a prospect D from time to time like Helleson or Hinds.

Fowler-Drysdale
LaCombe-Gudas
White-xxx
Vaaks

PV finally added much needed grit in Killorn and Gudas after going toothless since the 2022 TDL.

I was watching SPDN (sp?) on youtube and they made a whole lot of sense with their theory about teams tanking in the 2023 draft, but aren't for 2024. The 2023 draft has a generational talents in Bedard and Michkov. The Hockey News' Future Watch had a top-3 of 1. Bedard, 2. Fantilli, and 3. Michkov. As the season went, Carlsson and Will Smith's game rose to be considered in the top-5.

Anaheim didn't field an NHL team last year. Neither did a lot of other teams. Unfortunately, it was an original six team that leap frogged both Anaheim and Columbus to land Bedard. Now that we've landed Carlsson, we go out and finally add grit to the team. ::: raising shoulders :::

 

[Duck Off]

Fwiw I think this was actually filmed on Saturday.

 

[DavidBL]

Fwiw I think this was actually filmed on Saturday.

I think it was Friday night actually. They talked about Saturday as it was in the future. Seems odd something like this would stay quiet for 3 days.

 

[Leonardo87]

I do like our top-6, especially with Killorn playing next to Zegras. That pairing should also include Terry because Terry's got more chemistry with Zegras.

Killorn-Zegras-Terry
Rico-McTavish-xxx

I'm thinking Strome probably slots in at RW on the 2nd line. Long term thinking is if we're going to lose Rico at the TDL, then we might as well have a vet with McTavish for most of the season to play with. I remember when McTavish centered Strome in the first of a back-to-back with St. Louis and that line was the only line that was positive as Zegras' line got wrecked. Later in that game, we split McTavish (1c) and Strome (2c) and we weren't ragdolled for the rest of that game and the next game the next day.

As for the D, Gudas was good get, but we're going to elevate him to top-4D when he's a bottom pairing with Florida. We still need to add a top-4D, but I don't see it happening. Probably will acquire some 6/7 D unless Verbeek is holding out hope for Vaaks and wants to rotate a prospect D from time to time like Helleson or Hinds.

Fowler-Drysdale
LaCombe-Gudas
White-xxx
Vaaks

PV finally added much needed grit in Killorn and Gudas after going toothless since the 2022 TDL.

I was watching SPDN (sp?) on youtube and they made a whole lot of sense with their theory about teams tanking in the 2023 draft, but aren't for 2024. The 2023 draft has a generational talents in Bedard and Michkov. The Hockey News' Future Watch had a top-3 of 1. Bedard, 2. Fantilli, and 3. Michkov. As the season went, Carlsson and Will Smith's game rose to be considered in the top-5.

Anaheim didn't field an NHL team last year. Neither did a lot of other teams. Unfortunately, it was an original six team that leap frogged both Anaheim and Columbus to land Bedard. Now that we've landed Carlsson, we go out and finally add grit to the team. ::: raising shoulders :::

Yeah the Top 6 and even Top 9 is looking more solid. Kids taking steps in the right direction with the vets support and then the following year adding Carlsson. Can maybe even go after another Top 6 player next summer, will have 11 million coming off the books, maybe even more if we do move Gibson (Now that’s another conversation, lol)

As per the D. I see you also put Vaak as the extra, yeah I just can’t pencil him into a Top 4 role based on that he cannot stay healthy. I would love to add another Top 4D, maybe slides that LaCombe - Gudas pairing to the 3rd.… but then again would have to add two more D…

Fowler - ????
???? - Drysdale
LaCombe - Gudas
White
Vaak

But I think Vaak is going to get one last opportunity, just not sure how a Vaak - Drysdale pairing would be, but it seems like the more obvious choice. But Drysdale needs a physical LD, basically a Left handed Gudas. Lol.

Fowler - ????
Vaak - Drysdale
LaCombe - Gudas
White

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Yeah the Top 6 and even Top 9 is looking more solid. Kids taking steps in the right direction with the vets support and then the following year adding Carlsson. Can maybe even go after another Top 6 player next summer, will have 11 million coming off the books, maybe even more if we do move Gibson (Now that’s another conversation, lol)

As per the D. I see you also put Vaak as the extra, yeah I just can’t pencil him into a Top 4 role based on that he cannot stay healthy. I would love to add another Top 4D, maybe slides that LaCombe - Gudas pairing to the 3rd.… but then again would have to add two more D…

Fowler - ????
???? - Drysdale
LaCombe - Gudas
White
Vaak

But I think Vaak is going to get one last opportunity, just not sure how a Vaak - Drysdale pairing would be, but it seems like the more obvious choice. But Drysdale needs a physical LD, basically a Left handed Gudas. Lol.

Fowler - ????
Vaak - Drysdale
LaCombe - Gudas
White

I only put Vaaks there b/c he's signed under contract. He's still listed under the "injured reserve" category from CapFriendly. I don't have Vaaks above LaCombe, but I'm biased b/c I've been following LaCombe for the past four years.

As for Gudas, he's a top-4D for us, but on a playoff team like Florida, he's a bottom pairing guy. That's not a bad thing as we've helped elevate bottom pairing, shutdown to play in the top-4 and thrive in Gudbranson and Hakanpaa whenever Manson fell to injury. But we don't have those coaches anymore in Eakins (not re-signed) and Stothers (promoted to assistant, lessens the burden while he's battling cancer maybe).

We do need to sign another veteran plug, maybe re-sign Harrington.

Fowler - Drysdale*
LaCombe* - Gudas
Harrington ? - Helleson*
White

IR: Vaaks
(note * = youth/rookie D)

I know Fowler needs a shutdown guy, but I'm trying to avoid putting rookies/youth as a pairing. Helleson and White can rotate throughout the season, but I'd prefer another vet. I'm not sold on Helleson being ready for the NHL, especially when he can be paired with one of Minty or Zellweger as a top pairing D.

I do wonder if PV is gonna use dev camp to evaluate the physical and athletic readiness of Helleson and/or Hinds to possibly go that route for a shutdown D for the NHL club. Hinds is a left shot, but has been playing RD.

 

[MMC]

Vaak's surgery in March is estimated to need a 5-6 month recovery, so yeah he's still injured now but there's no reason to think he won't be ready to at least be in the mix for a NHL spot to start the season. Certainly could end up waived if he gets outplayed though, like Mahura.

He will need to step it up to keep his spot for sure, though I do feel bad for him. Getting a nasty concussion from being knocked out by being slammed into the boards and then f***ing your hips up to needing surgery in the span of like 3 months really sucks.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Vaak's surgery in March is estimated to need a 5-6 month recovery, so yeah he's still injured now but there's no reason to think he won't be ready to at least be in the mix for a NHL spot to start the season. Certainly could end up waived if he gets outplayed though, like Mahura.

He will need to step it up to keep his spot for sure, though I do feel bad for him. Getting a nasty concussion from being knocked out by being slammed into the boards and then f***ing your hips up to needing surgery in the span of like 3 months really sucks.

I believe that's his third concussion. He's had two with Boston, including the season we traded for him.

 

[ohcomeonref]

I don't see Vaaks having an NHL career sadly.

 

[Leonardo87]

I don't see Vaaks having an NHL career sadly.

Yeah, this is why I would like them to add two more D. With Drysdale healthy, Gudas being added, and Killorn, new coaching, I think we will be at least competitive to keep things interesting, but need that additional legit 4D.

 

[Gliff]

I really want to find a reliable guy to play with Jamie. Let Cam carry a scrub. We need Jamie to have a chance to actually develop.

 

[Duck Off]

I really want to find a reliable guy to play with Jamie. Let Cam carry a scrub. We need Jamie to have a chance to actually develop.

I agree. I think Forbort will be a Duck before the offseason is over. Wouldn't hate that.

 

[Duck Off]

It's hard to predict a lineup right now because it still feels like there's several more moves coming, but I'll take an early stab at it

Henrique - McTavish - Terry
Kilorn - Zegras - Vatrano
Jones - Lundy - Strome
McGinn - Groulx - Carrick

Fowler - Gudas
Trade - Drysdale
Zellweger - LaCombe
White

I think Vaak gets waived.

 

[All Mighty]