Speculation: 2024-25 - Free Agency/Trade Thread

[AngelDuck]

The issue I have with Gibson is a similar one I have with Fowler. It’s that the coaching staff can’t look at those players objectively and play them in the proper roles

In Cronin’s eyes, Fowler HAS to be playing 22+ minutes per game

In Cronin’s eyes, Gibson HAS to be playing 60%+ of the starts over Dostal

It’s frustrating because Gibson and Fowler aren’t “bad” players. They just get overworked and worn out by the coaching staff every year

If I had to choose between keeping one or the other, I would keep Gibson though. Fowler is much easier to replace for us (we already don’t need him)

If I’m Verbeek and I get a reasonable offer on either one, I’m moving on. Not sure I want to move into next year with all of Strome/Killorn/Gibson/Fowler under contract

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

The issue I have with Gibson is a similar one I have with Fowler. It’s that the coaching staff can’t look at those players objectively and play them in the proper roles

In Cronin’s eyes, Fowler HAS to be playing 22+ minutes per game

In Cronin’s eyes, Gibson HAS to be playing 60%+ of the starts over Dostal

It’s frustrating because Gibson and Fowler aren’t “bad” players. They just get overworked and worn out by the coaching staff every year

If I had to choose between keeping one or the other, I would keep Gibson though. Fowler is much easier to replace for us (we already don’t need him)

If I’m Verbeek and I get a reasonable offer on either one, I’m moving on. Not sure I want to move into next year with all of Strome/Killorn/Gibson/Fowler under contract

Would be insane to have fowler next year…. Rather just extend dumo, trade fowler… I’d prefer a top 6 forward coming back with similar contract to fowler…. But okay with picks to move for that piece in the offseason

Killorn we’re stuck with, I think he brings some sort of leadership at least
Strome I’d say we’re kinda stuck with also , he’s fine in bottom 6 imo.

Gibson I don’t mind moving, but also understand the market prob isn’t worth moving him for and him and dostal splitting time isn’t the worst thing(but it should be dostal getting the majority of games)

 

[Hey234]

If I’m Verbeek and I get a reasonable offer on either one, I’m moving on. Not sure I want to move into next year with all of Strome/Killorn/Gibson/Fowler under contract

For me, this is the correct way to view it. If a solid offer comes by, they should take it. They should not be making a trade just to shuffle the deck. Regardless, starting next year with all 4 seems like a mistake.

This season has shown that the Ducks have enough serviceable options on defense that Fowler, who requested a trade, can and should be traded.

Gibson has played more than well enough to prove he can still play at a high level. If the Ducks retain, I can't imagine a desperate team won't overpay eventually. Carolina seems like they are almost at that place, for example. However, my main concern is overworking Dostal after Gibson's traded. It might make sense to keep Gibson until the trade deadline.

My gut tells me that no one will take Killorn or that contract. I think they are stuck with him. Strome maybe could be traded, but without retention, I'm not sure the value would be worth it. Probably stuck with him too.

 

[ohcomeonref]

We have to resign Dumo.

 

[Ducks DVM]

For me, this is the correct way to view it. If a solid offer comes by, they should take it. They should not be making a trade just to shuffle the deck. Regardless, starting next year with all 4 seems like a mistake.

This season has shown that the Ducks have enough serviceable options on defense that Fowler, who requested a trade, can and should be traded.

Gibson has played more than well enough to prove he can still play at a high level. If the Ducks retain, I can't imagine a desperate team won't overpay eventually. Carolina seems like they are almost at that place, for example. However, my main concern is overworking Dostal after Gibson's traded. It might make sense to keep Gibson until the trade deadline.

My gut tells me that no one will take Killorn or that contract. I think they are stuck with him. Strome maybe could be traded, but without retention, I'm not sure the value would be worth it. Probably stuck with him too.

Fowler did not ask for a trade, he’s just open to facilitating one instead of blocking it. Unless you’ve seen a different article.

“Elliotte Friedman recently reported on his podcast that Fowler and the Ducks might work together on a new NHL home for the veteran defenseman. That’s noteworthy, but hardly surprising when you consider the context of where the Ducks and Fowler are at in their evolution. If there is an unexpected element, it’s that it became public as training camp opens next week.

It may have the appearance of Fowler asking for a trade, but it is more of a matter of both sides seeing if there is benefit to a move. Friedman noted that it is a “positive working environment” when it comes to Fowler and the Ducks working on a trade for the franchise’s all-time leading scorer among blueliners. Fowler has two years remaining on his contract, with a $6.5 million cap hit.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5761030/2024/09/12/cam-fowler-trade-ducks/

 

[JAHV]

The issue I have with Gibson is a similar one I have with Fowler. It’s that the coaching staff can’t look at those players objectively and play them in the proper roles

In Cronin’s eyes, Fowler HAS to be playing 22+ minutes per game

In Cronin’s eyes, Gibson HAS to be playing 60%+ of the starts over Dostal

It’s frustrating because Gibson and Fowler aren’t “bad” players. They just get overworked and worn out by the coaching staff every year

If I had to choose between keeping one or the other, I would keep Gibson though. Fowler is much easier to replace for us (we already don’t need him)

If I’m Verbeek and I get a reasonable offer on either one, I’m moving on. Not sure I want to move into next year with all of Strome/Killorn/Gibson/Fowler under contract

Fowler has been playing 21:17 per night this season on a defense corps that has multiple guys under 23, and the two other veterans - Dumuolin and Gudas - are not guys who should be playing even 20 minutes per night. You really think Cronin is overplaying Fowler?

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Fowler has been playing 21:17 per night this season on a defense corps that has multiple guys under 23, and the two other veterans - Dumuolin and Gudas - are not guys who should be playing even 20 minutes per night. You really think Cronin is overplaying Fowler?

Fowler has been playing at least 24:10 ATOI for the past three seasons. Playing at 21:17 is the team giving other players more time, including on the PP.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Fowler has been playing 21:17 per night this season on a defense corps that has multiple guys under 23, and the two other veterans - Dumuolin and Gudas - are not guys who should be playing even 20 minutes per night. You really think Cronin is overplaying Fowler?

I think Fowler would excel at about 18, but the concern is that a Gudas/Doumolin injury would have Fowler absorb too many of those minutes.

I also think Fowler needs to hang around until closer to the trade deadline, unless the return is in the WOW category, because I’m not convinced that a bunch of 1st/2nd year NHL defensemen are going to look the same in February/March as they have in October/November.

I’d also like to see if he still looks lost/disinterested in the new system that he’s not played in. It’s the type of system that actually plays to his strengths, and it’d be nice to know if it’s Fowler or the system that was making him look bad (or both), just like it was for Killorn and quite a few others.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Once Fowler comes back. Our defense will take a huge hit. He is just to soft..

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I think Fowler would excel at about 18, but the concern is that a Gudas/Doumolin injury would have Fowler absorb too many of those minutes.

I also think Fowler needs to hang around until closer to the trade deadline, unless the return is in the WOW category, because I’m not convinced that a bunch of 1st/2nd year NHL defensemen are going to look the same in February/March as they have in October/November.

I’d also like to see if he still looks lost/disinterested in the new system that he’s not played in. It’s the type of system that actually plays to his strengths, and it’d be nice to know if it’s Fowler or the system that was making him look bad (or both), just like it was for Killorn and quite a few others.

Im good...

Send him far far away

Zellweger/Mintyukov/Dumo >

Lacombe can play either side, versatile. Vaaks is fine filling in.

Fowler is an anchor some of you are obsessed with getting his 1000 game in anaheim.

If a trade comes available, that he will sign off on... you take it and run

 

[Ducks DVM]

Im good...

Send him far far away

Zellweger/Mintyukov/Dumo >

Lacombe can play either side, versatile. Vaaks is fine filling in.

Fowler is an anchor some of you are obsessed with getting his 1000 game in anaheim.

If a trade comes available, that he will sign off on... you take it and run

Im not one of those people, and you are the last person who should be using the word “obsessed” when referring to Fowler

My concerns are exactly what I said, and have said to you in specific in the past - 1st and 2nd year players fall off in the second half of seasons more often than not. Just swapping out other 1st and 2nd year players doesn’t change that.

I also see no harm in seeing if he plays better in the new system. Best case scenario is that it increases his trade value. Unlike some of you, I do not think our defense is playing “well”, I think it’s playing “less incompetently”, and am up for anything that can push it further towards “average or better”. Be that an improved Fowler, a better pick for Fowler, or a legit upgrade at forward instead of a forward swap of a player struggling as much as Fowler has this season.

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

Cronin is coaching for his job at this point and will play the hot goalie, whether it's Gibson or Dostal. Which I'm fine with, to be honest.