Speculation: 2024-25 - Free Agency/Trade Thread

[All Mighty]

It's not that I don't believe in his tools or upside. I'm not sure he'll have much in the way of opportunity to showcase and develop them and if he doesn't can he really increase his value much? It's not really an ideal situation for imo.

Agreed. If Luneau makes the roster (and Verbeek seems to expect him to), then there isn’t much room for him. One of Fowler, Gudas, Dumoulin, Zellweger, Mintyukov, LaCombe, or Luneau would have to sit each night. Later in the season, Dumoulin could be that guy, but since Verbeek paid an asset to acquire him, I would assume that he will be in the lineup at the start of the year. Fowler and Gudas aren’t sitting. Zellweger, Mintyukov, and Luneau all seem to be ahead of LaCombe in terms of potential, so they will likely get priority, and they are also unlikely to get traded.

LaCombe’s best chances to play right now are if there is an injury, or if Luneau doesn’t seem ready quite yet. Both of those scenarios are very possible, but not really something to count on at the moment. And if LaCombe is in the lineup, it’s pretty likely he has to play on the right side, where he wasn’t as good last year (he was best with Gudas and Lindstrom last season). He can probably handle the right side on a lower pairing (he did OK next to Mintyukov), but it will likely limit his offensive contributions as he seemed much more comfortable rushing the puck on his strong side. It’s absolutely possible for LaCombe to perform well for us next year, but there are quite a few things stacked against him at the moment.

 

[ohcomeonref]

I've very clearly irritated you and that was not my intention, so I apologize for that. I was just looking for but more in depth discussion given that our opinions of the situation seemed so fat apart. I actually agree with your assessment of Lacombe for the most part. Obviously we disagree quite substantially on Laine so I guess we'll just leave it at that.

You're a ridiculously courteous poster, you're all good.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

For 24-25 anyway, it is more likely that Zellweger gets more sheltered minutes than LaCombe IMO. I tend to doubt that Zellweger is ready for 82 NHL games in a top 4 role. But either way, I suspect there will be a fair degree of experimentation putting some of these LHD on the right side. LaCombe actually finished the year pretty well and I'm not as anxious as others are to dump him...especially for a semi-rental.

How each rookie finished in the NHL.

Ducks	Rookie D	Last 22/23	Games	in	NHL
Player	Game set	Games	G	A	Pts		+/-	Hits	Blocks	Comments
LaCombe	49 to 71	23	1	7	8		1	12	44	From Feb 19 to Apr 18
Minty	41 to 63	23	2	7	9		-9	29	22	from Feb 13 to Mar 30
Zell	5 to 26	22	2	6	8		-8	10	33	From Mar 1 to Apr 18

Zell's call up put him into a top-4 role and played there in 22 games to close out the season. Minty fell to injury on Mar 30, his last game of the season. LaCombe played the last 8 games in a top-4 role at LD due to Minty's injury.

 

[duckpuck]

I don't love the idea of trading LaCombe for a "well, if he doesn't work out it's just money" kind of gamble. IMO he's probably our best trade piece right now ('best' in terms of balancing probable value with how much it would hurt to lose him) and if he's going to be moved, I'd rather it be involved in something with a little less potential to derail spectacularly.

Rather do something with picks, trade a dice roll for a dice roll. But Columbus probably doesn't need to settle for just that.

Hellllllllll no to Lacombe for Laine. I really don't understand why that's such a popular idea. Yes it would be nice to start getting better but it doesn't mean we need to start just giving away young talent like that

I think LaCombe is being over valued. In the pecking order of ducks young defensemen/assets, he's clearly below 4-5 other guys (albeit several of those other guys are younger). Right now he projects as a 4/5. He has value, but I think his upside is lower than the other prospects. In any event, he's not a "core" player and you have to consider trading him to upgrade other areas (whether Laine or elsewhere).

 

[Boo Boo]

Would really prefer it if this time around we refrained from giving away future top 4 defenders but maybe that’s just me

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I think LaCombe is being over valued. In the pecking order of ducks young defensemen/assets, he's clearly below 4-5 other guys (albeit several of those other guys are younger). Right now he projects as a 4/5. He has value, but I think his upside is lower than the other prospects. In any event, he's not a "core" player and you have to consider trading him to upgrade other areas (whether Laine or elsewhere).

Right now, we just have projections of who should be in future our top-4, but nothing is solidified.

You mean LaCombe is being valued. Out of all of our young defensemen, he's far ahead of all them defensively and was identified as being the most improved since the start of the season by Cronin. He has been a part of the PK unit all year too. It might take a year or two for our OFD's to develop average defense in a top-4 role. LaCombe has spent 4 years in college honing how to play defense as an OFD. Cronin is trying to make LaCombe become more of an aggressive player. He's got a good build at 6'2 and 201 lbs, great speed, and potential offensive upside... just missing that aggressiveness.

Our blueline has too many unknowns at the moment. Will Zell improve his defense? Will RD Luneau continue to have bad luck with missing time on the ice? RD Helleson doesn't look ready for the NHL and RD Warren is making his AHL debut. RD Moore is a senior at Harvard and no idea if he will sign with us. LD Hinds is heading into year 2 as a pro in San Diego and he plays both sides like Zell and LaCombe. LD Dionicio is playing overseas (projected to be as of right now) and won't be available to the Ducks next season if he's overseas. Similarly, LD Solberg is in Sweden for next season and won't be available to the Ducks next season.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

I think LaCombe is being over valued. In the pecking order of ducks young defensemen/assets, he's clearly below 4-5 other guys (albeit several of those other guys are younger). Right now he projects as a 4/5. He has value, but I think his upside is lower than the other prospects. In any event, he's not a "core" player and you have to consider trading him to upgrade other areas (whether Laine or elsewhere).

He's only being "over valued" to the degree others think Laine is actually worth real value right now. All I keep hearing is that IF we could have the Laine of 5 years ago he would be a great acquisition. No kidding. Well, he has shown nothing yet to indicate that's who he now is. His value now is minimal.

The fact that we have some other young D with high potential does not mean we should over pay for a guy like Laine. At this point in time, it's Laine who is being over valued. If other teams want to over pay for him fine, let them. I don't want the Ducks to.

 

[Dirk316]

Would really prefer it if this time around we refrained from giving away future top 4 defenders but maybe that’s just me

That's certainly not Lacolme

 

[robbieboy3686]

That's certainly not Lacolme

Srsly it’s crazy how people around here pencil him into anything more than just a place holder on this team. Would love to eat crow on this. But probably won’t have too

 

[DavidBL]

He's only being "over valued" to the degree others think Laine is actually worth real value right now. All I keep hearing is that IF we could have the Laine of 5 years ago he would be a great acquisition. No kidding. Well, he has shown nothing yet to indicate that's who he now is. His value now is minimal.

The fact that we have some other young D with high potential does not mean we should over pay for a guy like Laine. At this point in time, it's Laine who is being over valued. If other teams want to over pay for him fine, let them. I don't want the Ducks to.

I mean, even with last year Laine had 74 pt pace in Columbus. I'd be very happy with that. Obviously he had injuries in there so the "pace" can be misleading to some extent. To me the biggest question is not what player you're getting so much as can he remain healthy.
Edit: should point out, those numbers are based off the last 3 years and don't include the trade year which is still relevant. Bergys numbers are accurate.

 

[Bergey37]

I mean, even with last year Laine had 74 pt pace in Columbus. I'd be very happy with that. Obviously he had injuries in there so the "pace" can be misleading to some extent. To me the biggest question is not what player you're getting so much as can he remain healthy.

Not just last year; in his last 4 seasons in Columbus he's scored 64G + 74A = 138 points; in 174 GP he's at .79 PPG. He's getting it done! It is a question of health, and also keeping his head on straight. I'd like to think that being in Anaheim playing with skilled young players who want to start winning could go a long way toward insuring the latter.

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

Srsly it’s crazy how people around here pencil him into anything more than just a place holder on this team. Would love to eat crow on this. But probably won’t have too

It's not that people have penciled him in, it's that we haven't penciled him out.

Because that would be a little premature after only one sesaon.

 

[robbieboy3686]

It's not that people have penciled him in, it's that we haven't penciled him out.

Because that would be a little premature after only one sesaon.

Fair enough.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Not just last year; in his last 4 seasons in Columbus he's scored 64G + 74A = 138 points; in 174 GP he's at .79 PPG. He's getting it done! It is a question of health, and also keeping his head on straight. I'd like to think that being in Anaheim playing with skilled young players who want to start winning could go a long way toward insuring the latter.

Yeah the idea that he's not a top 6 forward is not lining up at all. I think the health would be a bigger concern, I think the coastal warm beaches in OC would be perfect for Laine's mental health. When my relatives from Ohio visit they always seem to go to the beach !

 

[tomd]

Blue Jackets GM: Only one team has expressed interest in Patrik Laine

Late last month, Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine exited the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program which allows for there to be contact between Laine and Columbus. With a known desire for a change of scenery, the team has granted permission for the winger to talk to other teams as well.

www.yardbarker.com

 

[Ducks DVM]

9 points in 18 games, shoulder surgery, and then into the player assistance program, didn’t play the rest of the season, and they want to not retain on an 8.7M cap hit.

Ok.

 

[70sSanO]

Now’s Verbeek’s chance…

“I got some spare Zamboni parts, a couple of broken Corey Perry sticks and a goalie. Whadda you say? Is it a deal?”

John

“And I’ll throw in Dylan Strome……….. ‘s brother.”

 

[Hey234]

Seems like a perfect buy low opportunity on a low risk player. Ducks don't need retention. If they want a NHL player, they can have Strome. If they want picks/prospects, Ducks have that too. A Strome for Laine swap balanced by picks would be solid for the Ducks.

Gauthier-Carlsson-Laine
Vatrano-McTavish-Terry
Fabbri-Zegras-Killorn
Harkins-Lundestrom-Leason

 

[MMC]

People already complain about the lack of leadership on this team and then want to trade Strome for Laine? Ok

 

[Hey234]

People already complain about the lack of leadership on this team and then want to trade Strome for Laine? Ok

I wouldn't frame myself as someone who complains about leadership because I think it's impact is way overblown. I would like more actual NHL players to move some other guys down in the lineup. However, I think it's a stretch to say that swapping Laine for Strome would somehow negatively impact the leadership group as he will most likely not wear a letter next year and his role is a 3rd line RW right now. Ducks also added two vets this summer. If it were Gudas, I would agree. But Strome, really not moving the needle much.

 

[Gliff]

9 points in 18 games, shoulder surgery, and then into the player assistance program, didn’t play the rest of the season, and they want to not retain on an 8.7M cap hit.

Ok.

No issue with that. As long as they are willing to basically dump him.

 

[Ducks DVM]

No issue with that. As long as they are willing to basically dump him.

I omitted “want a hockey trade”.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Not wanting to trade strome for Laine is insane.

There is no leader in this planets history that would make up the difference in value between these two players

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Not wanting to trade strome for Laine is insane.

There is no leader in this planets history that would make up the difference in value between these two players

Laine has 2 years left on his deal, Strome has 3 years left.
Sure Laine has higher aav but a year later he could return a 1st + at the deadline if they retain should they choose to move on from Laine. Laine alot younger than Strome too.

Columbus would be stuck with Strome for an extra year of providing 30 to 40 points at best as he gets older. I doubt that in the final year of Stromes contract that Columbus would able to get more than a 3rd with how he's declining
The trade is bad for Columbus imo, sure Strome could score 40 points but he could also decline more and score only 30 for them and become a buyout candidate or put on waivers.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

People already complain about the lack of leadership on this team and then want to trade Strome for Laine? Ok

It’s obvious the right idea is

Laine +
For
Fowler

Win win win