Yeah, was hoping Verbeek went after a legit #4 guy, even if it cost us one of those 2nd round picks. Gudas getting over 20 mins is not going to be good.
Speculation: 2023-24 Roster Thread
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Yeah, was hoping Verbeek went after a legit #4 guy, even if it cost us one of those 2nd round picks. Gudas getting over 20 mins is not going to be good.
Deuce22
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I agree that he should get a shot at that spot, but not that it's a done deal.
robbieboy3686
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Everyone keeps saying that Gudas getting top 4 minutes is bad… is this proven by the data ?
Interesting seeing Drysdale in McDavid's (?) event. They're both Otters alumni tho. Jamie wearing an LA hat
You can feel the McTavish's workout intensity through those pics.
It’s cool to see Rico with him too. Probably good for both of them lol
The Midnight Burrito
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20 minutes is top pairing ice time, Gudas has never done that. He's had a couple of 19min/g seasons (which is close top top pairing ice time), the last being 6 years ago, but to be fair that was arguably his best season. Still, he's 33 now.
Anyway I don't think anyone has said that Gudas on the second pair is a bad thing. Even if it was it would have to be truly terrible for it not to be an improvement over last year's second pair. The point is that he doesn't belong on Fowler's pairing playing 25 a night.
robbieboy3686
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We having more actual proven 4-6 d types, should make it easier to not have to rely so heavily on fowler… minutes can be spread out better maybe.
The Midnight Burrito
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They can certainly be spread out more although it's hard to say whether it would be better. I don't think we'll be as bad as last year's historically terrible defensive team and Gudas (and Lyubushkin) will be part of that IMO. But I don't think we'll have the makings of an acceptable NHL defense until someone who can actually anchor a second D pair steps forward. The only guy we have who might have that ability is Drysdale IMO, although I may be selling Gudas short.
Deuce22
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Fowler shouldn't play at all on the PK, that would reduce his minutes without affecting his 5 on 5 time.
He's never averaged over 20 mins a season in his career. At 33yo now, to give him Top pairing mins, doesn't seem wise. Should keep him more around 18-19 mins.
@The Midnight Burrito said it best. I have no issues with him on a 2nd pairing but who will play with Fowler? Drysdale? Not sure how I feel about that one.
All Mighty
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That would be ideal, but you need at least 4 (probably 5) defensemen who can play on the PK and Drysdale definitely shouldn't yet. And if LaCombe makes it, he probably shouldn't yet either. Fowler will likely be a PK player for us until he leaves/retires.
robbieboy3686
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Definitely ideal to not rely on fowler for pk duties. That’s for sure, killorn is supposed to be a really good pk player himself. Guys like Jones need to step up in that department too
The Midnight Burrito
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Most of our major PKers from last season are gone, including mainstays in Benoit, Beaulieu and Kulikov (the top 3 D PK minute-getters), as well as Grant and Lundy. Only Cam, Silf and Henrique are returning from the top 10 guys (excluding Groulx, who only played 2 games). Shatty and Megna are gone, too. The PK is going to look completely different.
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All Mighty
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I guess my main concern at the moment is who is our top LHD PK option? Unless Hagg is a regular in the lineup, it would have to be Fowler (it could be Fowler even if Hagg is a regular). Maybe if Vaak regains form then it could be him, but I don't have my hopes up for that. That's why a guy like Forbort would fit well.
EDIT: Maatta could be another option. Detroit has a lot of defensemen now that they acquired Petry. Though Maatta would probably cost a bit more than Forbort because Detroit doesn't need the cap space as much, and Maatta also has an extra year on his deal.
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robbieboy3686
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Forbert or similar larger top 4 dman who can kill penalties would just round us out so well. Have to think said player will be added.
The Midnight Burrito
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I've said this in the other threads. Killorn is an excellent PK'er. So that should help as well.
TopShelfWaterBottle
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Didn’t white mesh with Fowler decently last season? Would have to think he has first dibs even if he is only a true 7D
I've been thinking this as well. The current D roster is reaaaly sus 
There is Fowler and then 3rd pair guys or unproven ones (including Drysdale who missed a year).
However, I am liking the balance of that roster waaaay much than last year. I was pretty open of how sceptical I was of having Drysdale, Kling, Shatt, Fowler, Vaaks on the same blueline. Womans soccer team could bully that.
While I don't see much improvement in personell, I see a much better balance and that's fine
There is Fowler and then 3rd pair guys or unproven ones (including Drysdale who missed a year).However, I am liking the balance of that roster waaaay much than last year. I was pretty open of how sceptical I was of having Drysdale, Kling, Shatt, Fowler, Vaaks on the same blueline. Womans soccer team could bully that.
While I don't see much improvement in personell, I see a much better balance and that's fine
Is this realistic? (Zegras, pick and a poor prospect, Vaakanainen etc for Sergachev)
Adam Killorn - Mason McTavish - Troy Terry
Adam Henrique - Ryan Strome - Frank Vatrano
Brock McGinn - Leo Carlsson - Jacob Perreault
Max Jones - Sam Carrick - Jakob Silfverberg
Isac Lundeström - Brett Leason
Sergachev - Lyubushkin
Fowler - Drysdale
Hägg - Gudas
LaCombe - Helleson
John Gibson
Adam Killorn - Mason McTavish - Troy Terry
Adam Henrique - Ryan Strome - Frank Vatrano
Brock McGinn - Leo Carlsson - Jacob Perreault
Max Jones - Sam Carrick - Jakob Silfverberg
Isac Lundeström - Brett Leason
Sergachev - Lyubushkin
Fowler - Drysdale
Hägg - Gudas
LaCombe - Helleson
John Gibson
anezthes
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DavidBL
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Ducks have far too much LD prospect depth to spend a real assets to acquire a LD. Especially if you're looking for Z which is realistically a non starter.
This is what I expect the defense to be as well. Sadly, that's an improvement from last year. Still pretty bad though. I don't think Vaak will be waived. I would guess it will be White who is waived.
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Hope you're right!
Are your centers your weakness??
Anyways, one great defender to this team and you look quite good!
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