Speculation: 2023-24 Roster Thread

[slippingsloth]

Yeah it’s a good problem to have, last year we had too many 6 and 7’s playing in Top 4 roles. This year we have several kids looking like potential Top 4 guys, some top pairing potential in Minty and Drysdale. Plus they have some nice vet support this year as well. Which was really lacking last season.

I expect to have up and downs all season so there will be opportunity to change things around, unless we go on some kinda 10 game winning streak, then cool. Lol.

Keyboard gm is so much more fun when you have pieces that actually fulfill the roles


Last year it was like playing chess with a bunch of checker pieces. It didnt matter what you moved giving up 50 shots a night

This year we actually have rooks, bishops, knights that we can move around. It is fun again

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Henrique-Carlsson-Terry
Vatrano-McTavish-Strome
Killorn-Zegras-Silfverberg
Johnston-Carrick-Leason

The ducks have a gaping need for a right winger with skill on that Zegras line. Leason forechecks hard and goes to the net… I think he could do damage with zegras tbh

I don’t mind that line up… but I’d swap leason with silfverberg…. I want silf no where near z

Really don’t know what you do when Drysdale is back, I like the Fowler-LaCombe, Minty-Bush, and Vak-Gudas pairings a lot

Eh you get drysdale back in the line up … pretty easy. I’d like to see

Fowler gudas
Mintyukov drysdale
Lacombe lybushkin
Vaaks as a 7th

 

[Duckesh]

This lineup has been too fun to watch. I am trying to temper my expectations. I told myself I was going to catch most of the games this year and just enjoy the struggles of watching the youngsters find their roles and develop essential this new team.

So I was ready for a rough season. Now my expectations are slowly creeping up and I'm expecting wins and perfection. I start to think things about Drysdale and Killer coming off the injury list, a powerplay starting to click, a 1st line that might start contributing more once they get their act together, Zegras getting a hot streak somewhere... and the bar for this team is mentally rising too quickly right now Honestly, I think it was the game against Boston where Minty rushed back into the dzone and used his reach to break up a shot from an opponent rushing into the Ducks zone on a 2 on 1 or something and I had brief flashbacks to dominant Ducks teams with extremely talented individuals doing some amazing feats.

 

[slippingsloth]

This lineup has been too fun to watch. I am trying to temper my expectations. I told myself I was going to catch most of the games this year and just enjoy the struggles of watching the youngsters find their roles and develop essential this new team.

So I was ready for a rough season. Now my expectations are slowly creeping up and I'm expecting wins and perfection. I start to think things about Drysdale and Killer coming off the injury list, a powerplay starting to click, a 1st line that might start contributing more once they get their act together, Zegras getting a hot streak somewhere... and the bar for this team is mentally rising too quickly right now Honestly, I think it was the game against Boston where Minty rushed back into the dzone and used his reach to break up a shot from an opponent rushing into the Ducks zone on a 2 on 1 or something and I had brief flashbacks to dominant Ducks teams with extremely talented individuals doing some amazing feats.

Fun aint it

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

When Killer gets back have some decisions to make. Verbeek didn’t give him 6 million to play on the 3rd line.

May see a 1-2-3 punch of Leo, Z, and Mac down the middle? Would not break up the Mac line. It’s now becoming a thing, 8 games in all those guys are a PPG or higher, and are one of the best lines in the league now.

Killorn - Leo - Terry
Vatrano - McTavish - Strome
Henrique - Zegras - ????

Remember Z produced with guys like Carrick, Grant, and Des. He needs his own line to drive. That top line will look good but they will still struggle to score doing much. Killorn compliments the other two players.

I mean, if the development path is for Carlsson to play in 50-65 games, Zegras will definitely anchor that top line.

a guy like Killorn is great because he doesnt need to be stapled on one line to contribute. Great all around player to have that can slot anywhere.

 

[MMC]

I don’t mind that line up… but I’d swap leason with silfverberg…. I want silf no where near z


Eh you get drysdale back in the line up … pretty easy. I’d like to see

Fowler gudas
Mintyukov drysdale
Lacombe lybushkin
Vaaks as a 7th

Of course you put him in but no clue how I’d do the pairings. Though like you said I probably try him with Minty

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Of course you put him in but no clue how I’d do the pairings. Though like you said I probably try him with Minty

Idk that they are ready to put drysdale and minty together yet.... but i think that pairing will be pretty top notch

Guess well see, i kinda hope Vaaks plays well enough to start getting some trade value

 

[Hockey Duckie]

The Gudas effect?

Gudas effect and the rookies moving into top-4 roles.

Start of season pairings

Fowler-Drysdale​

LaCombe-Gudas​

Minchy-Bush​

Past 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 game pairings

Fowler-LaCombe​

Minchy-Bush​

Vaaks-Gudas​

If Drysdale returns, there's many possibilities afoot. We could put LaCombe back with Gudas and we can have a more balanced distribution of minutes to help Fowler out. Or we could put LaCombe with Minchy, since we've paired them up before and they were summer workout buddies. At times at the end of games, Cronin has put a Minchy-LaCombe on the ice for max offense.

 

[DuckDuckGetz]

Silfverberg has been slow but good, which I definitely prefer over fast but not great (Jones)

 

[robbieboy3686]

Silfverberg has been slow but good, which I definitely prefer over fast but not great (Jones)

+1

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Silfverberg has been slow but good, which I definitely prefer over fast but not great (Jones)

AKA, Silf plays at a measured pace. Knowing were to be is a very valuable asset. On the PK, the ice is cutdown in half and Silf is a huge part of the PK unit.

 

[Mr Rogers]

Currently Silf has 1/10 the physical ability of Max Jones but 10x the hockey IQ. Despite their age and mileage differences, Silf is still a more effective player. Pretty incredible how far having a mind for the game can take you. Story of Silf‘s career honestly (didn’t have many “tools” outside of his shot I guess, which even that became less effective over his career)

 

[duckpuck]

Currently Silf has 1/10 the physical ability of Max Jones but 10x the hockey IQ. Despite their age and mileage differences, Silf is still a more effective player. Pretty incredible how far having a mind for the game can take you. Story of Silf‘s career honestly (didn’t have many “tools” outside of his shot I guess, which even that became less effective over his career)

I guess I agree, but I think neither is a player I'd want to ice. Silf will play because he's a vet and "dependable", but he really doesn't add much. He either drags down 3rd line or softens up a 4th line. At this point, I think McGinn is probably an upgrade to both.

 

[Masch78]

Currently Silf has 1/10 the physical ability of Max Jones but 10x the hockey IQ. Despite their age and mileage differences, Silf is still a more effective player. Pretty incredible how far having a mind for the game can take you. Story of Silf‘s career honestly (didn’t have many “tools” outside of his shot I guess, which even that became less effective over his career)

It was always brain and shot with him.

 

[JAHV]

Currently Silf has 1/10 the physical ability of Max Jones but 10x the hockey IQ. Despite their age and mileage differences, Silf is still a more effective player. Pretty incredible how far having a mind for the game can take you. Story of Silf‘s career honestly (didn’t have many “tools” outside of his shot I guess, which even that became less effective over his career)

I agree with this; however, there comes a point where the skating deficiency becomes too much to overcome. I don't know if Silf is there yet, but he's close. There are pucks that any other player could get to and he just can't because his wheels are gone. The shot is also pretty much gone.

He's surviving on hockey sense and willpower, which I appreciate as a fan of smart, hard-working players. But I wouldn't mind seeing him get rested a decent amount once Killorn gets back. If the Ducks had any wingers worth a darn in the AHL, I'd be fine with seeing them take a third line spot over Jones, too. But their forward drafting after the top 10 has been abysmal. When Sam Steel is the success story, something is amiss. (Yes, this ignores Terry, but he is the exception that proves the rule, I think.)

 

[lwvs84]

I know Silf should be moved, but if the Ducks are within striking distance of playoffs or (*gasp) in a playoff spot around the deadline, do you move Henrique? And would you rather give Carrick/Regenda/Leason/etc a shot at 3RW or make a move for one? I'm assuming Killorn is a LW and can't play right. That leaves Terry and Strome as the two RW's, Vatrano can play there too but that means breaking up that line. Adding a solid 2nd/high end 3rd line RW means the Ducks could run 3 scoring lines with Z at 3C. It would make the Ducks harder to match up against as any of the 3 lines could get hot a torch the other team (flip side is, it might be harder to match up against elite top lines).

Killorn/Henrique-Carlsson-Terry
Vatrano-McTavish-Strome
Killorn/Henrique-Zegras-???
Johnston-Carrick/Groulx-Leason

Each of those top 3 lines could potentially play 16-18 mins a night based on who's clicking that night. Or if Jones finally shows something like at the end of last season, you could run Terry/Vatrano/Strome on the right side and Killorn/Henrique/Jones on the left (both in some order). A lot could come down to the McTavish line. Are they just starting off on a hot streak or will they be able to sustain it for a season? Obviously not at the current pace, but could that line legitimately score like a high end 2nd line for the season?

 

[caliamad]

I don't think there is any value out of trading Silf. He should be on the team, possibly IR if it comes to that.

Jones on the other hand, I'd risk waiving and sending to minors once we get healthy.

 

[JAHV]

I know Silf should be moved, but if the Ducks are within striking distance of playoffs or (*gasp) in a playoff spot around the deadline, do you move Henrique? And would you rather give Carrick/Regenda/Leason/etc a shot at 3RW or make a move for one? I'm assuming Killorn is a LW and can't play right. That leaves Terry and Strome as the two RW's, Vatrano can play there too but that means breaking up that line. Adding a solid 2nd/high end 3rd line RW means the Ducks could run 3 scoring lines with Z at 3C. It would make the Ducks harder to match up against as any of the 3 lines could get hot a torch the other team (flip side is, it might be harder to match up against elite top lines).

Killorn/Henrique-Carlsson-Terry
Vatrano-McTavish-Strome
Killorn/Henrique-Zegras-???
Johnston-Carrick/Groulx-Leason

Each of those top 3 lines could potentially play 16-18 mins a night based on who's clicking that night. Or if Jones finally shows something like at the end of last season, you could run Terry/Vatrano/Strome on the right side and Killorn/Henrique/Jones on the left (both in some order). A lot could come down to the McTavish line. Are they just starting off on a hot streak or will they be able to sustain it for a season? Obviously not at the current pace, but could that line legitimately score like a high end 2nd line for the season?

I don't think the Ducks HAVE to make the playoffs this season. However, after wandering the desert for so long, I think the franchise owes it to the fans to try to win this year. Henrique is the only forward with an expiring contract who has value. Silf is expiring, but I don't see him fetching anything from a contender.

But what IS Henrique's value? At this point, not much. Until last game, he looked downright lost. We know he can be streaky, so perhaps he goes on a run and is sitting on 15 goals/35 points when the trade deadline rolls around. Even then, I don't see a team giving the Ducks a 1st for him. Maybe if the forward market is super thin (which it might be - a lot of the expiring contracts are for guys playing on conteders), they get a conditional 1st, but I have a hard time seeing it.

I think the goodwill of fans (and rewarding the roster) is worth more than a late 2nd round pick. If that's the best offer on the table and the Ducks are within 5 points of a playoff spot (and playing relatively well), you keep Henrique and go for it. Don't give up any futures for expiring assets, but hang onto the guys you have and see what you can do. Even if you miss the postseason, a 2nd round pick is hardly anything to get worked up over. If someone is offering a 1st rounder...that's tough to turn down. I think the Ducks would need to be in a playoff spot to keep Henrique over a 1st round pick.

 

[JonathnTaylorTavares]

Haha just at the beginning of this season my account made a post about being really happy Jones was on our team. I finally got my password changed and the hacker has been banned

 

[All Mighty]

I don't think the Ducks HAVE to make the playoffs this season. However, after wandering the desert for so long, I think the franchise owes it to the fans to try to win this year. Henrique is the only forward with an expiring contract who has value. Silf is expiring, but I don't see him fetching anything from a contender.

But what IS Henrique's value? At this point, not much. Until last game, he looked downright lost. We know he can be streaky, so perhaps he goes on a run and is sitting on 15 goals/35 points when the trade deadline rolls around. Even then, I don't see a team giving the Ducks a 1st for him. Maybe if the forward market is super thin (which it might be - a lot of the expiring contracts are for guys playing on conteders), they get a conditional 1st, but I have a hard time seeing it.

I think the goodwill of fans (and rewarding the roster) is worth more than a late 2nd round pick. If that's the best offer on the table and the Ducks are within 5 points of a playoff spot (and playing relatively well), you keep Henrique and go for it. Don't give up any futures for expiring assets, but hang onto the guys you have and see what you can do. Even if you miss the postseason, a 2nd round pick is hardly anything to get worked up over. If someone is offering a 1st rounder...that's tough to turn down. I think the Ducks would need to be in a playoff spot to keep Henrique over a 1st round pick.

Last year we saw a few cases of teams paying a 1st round pick for 2 rentals (Tarasenko + Miikola, O’Reilly + Acciari). I could absolutely see a team offering a 1st for Henrique + Lyubushkin (assuming we retain money), especially since Henrique looks to be the best rental center available (I know he’s been playing wing, but he can definitely still play C). Elias Lindholm could potentially be available, but I would assume either he signs an extension with Calgary, or the acquiring team immediately signs him to an extension. In other words, he wouldn’t really be a pure rental like Henrique would.

 

[EXTRAS]

Is there any time frame for Drysdale at all?

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Is there any time frame for Drysdale at all?

Them being quite about this is never good news. I hope it's nothing serious.. lower body injury could mean many things. I remember he blocked a shot and hobbled a bit. I'm guessing broken or fractured foot. He's not skating. So that's what I'm assuming something.

 

[DuckDuckGetz]

Is there any time frame for Drysdale at all?

Somewhere between now and the heat death of the Universe

Them being quite about this is never good news. I hope it's nothing serious.. lower body injury could mean many things. I remember he blocked a shot and hobbled a bit. I'm guessing broken or fractured foot. He's not skating. So that's what I'm assuming something.

Broken foot they would know really quickly and would never have him as day-to-day. My guess is some kind of bone bruise from blocking a shot, hence the uncertainty.

 

[JAHV]

At this point, I'm guessing they amputated his leg.

 

[All Mighty]

One note on Luneau: If he is healthy scratched for 5 consecutive games, then he is eligible for a 2 week AHL conditioning stint. Today's game against Pittsburgh marks his 5th consecutive healthy scratch, so I believe he could be sent to San Diego tomorrow,.