Speculation: 2024-25 - Free Agency/Trade Thread

[Frosted Tips]

Mac also seemingly got thrown out of the face off dot in 50% of opportunities…

I've noticed that too

 

[anezthes]

Mac also seemingly got thrown out of the face off dot in 50% of opportunities…

Are there stats for this? He was thrown to a lot last season as well IIRC.

 

[All Mighty]

Are there stats for this? He was thrown to a lot last season as well IIRC.

I’m working on a project where I track ~15 variables for every single faceoff the Ducks take and I do keep tally of who gets kicked out. McT does get thrown out a bit more than our other centers, but it’s not a crazy amount. What I’ve noticed is some referees are significantly stricter on faceoffs than others. There are some games where like 1 or 2 guys get kicked out of the circle, and others where it happens all the time.

EDIT: I’ll write a more detailed analysis of what I’m tracking after game 15 or so.

 

[Sean Garrity]

Are there stats for this? He was thrown to a lot last season as well IIRC.

Ya I was more referring to last season.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852774128232915077

Not saying a waiver claim will solve our issues but Aman is very likely an upgrade to our depth. Decent size, good speed and gets after it which is something we need. Plays center and wing, plus he PKs

 

[robbieboy3686]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852774128232915077

Not saying a waiver claim will solve our issues but Aman is very likely an upgrade to our depth. Decent size, good speed and gets after it which is something we need. Plays center and wing, plus he PKs

If he’s worth a claim at all, then he probably gets claimed long before us, unfortunately

 

[WhatTheDuck]

If he’s worth a claim at all, then he probably gets claimed long before us, unfortunately

I haven't adjusted to the Dostal era yet

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

If he’s worth a claim at all, then he probably gets claimed long before us, unfortunately

Are they past using last year's standings?

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Are they past using last year's standings?

Yes, as of Nov 1st (yesterday)

 

[Hey234]

PV stated last year that he needs higher end vets and tried to get them. He unfortunately missed out and that's making an impact. The players are not being insulated and they don't have those leaders who lead with their play. PV needs to add someone who can restructure the lines.

Carlsson needs a top end vet who can work with him and help him grow. Killorn and Vatrano are not that guy unfortunately and I don't think Terry works with him. I like Fabbri to fight for the puck but he needs a goal scorer. That pushes other people down and balances out the lines.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852813301136171436

Carcone would bring some much needed speed and we only had one guy (Vatrano) score more than 21 goals last year. Another left shot winger isn't ideal and I'm sure PV would prefer a bigger body but I'd still gladly take a cheap flier on this one. Could send Cutter down to regain his offensive touch, no panic here but maybe he could use it.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852813301136171436

Carcone would bring some much needed speed and we only had one guy (Vatrano) score more than 21 goals last year. Another left shot winger isn't ideal and I'm sure PV would prefer a bigger body but I'd still gladly take a cheap flier on this one. Could send Cutter down to regain his offensive touch, no panic here but maybe he could use it.

Why are they so interested in getting rid of him?

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Why are they so interested in getting rid of him?

They've built up some sneaky good top 9 winger depth (Keller, Guenther, Maccelli, Schmaltz, Crouse, Kerfoot) and I guess they prefer a bigger, meaner 4th line. To me it seems absurd to be scratching an actual decent top 9 winger in order to dress Liam O'Brien but that's just my opinion.

Some of it just could be trying to do right by the player. They don't really have the middle six minutes available that he could get elsewhere, and based on his salary he's obviously still fighting to prove himself in the league.

 

[robbieboy3686]

They've built up some sneaky good top 9 winger depth (Keller, Guenther, Maccelli, Schmaltz, Crouse, Kerfoot) and I guess they prefer a bigger, meaner 4th line. To me it seems absurd to be scratching an actual decent top 9 winger in order to dress Liam O'Brien but that's just my opinion.

Some of it just could be trying to do right by the player. They don't really have the middle six minutes available that he could get elsewhere, and based on his salary he's obviously still fighting to prove himself in the league.

So he’s another vanilla little guy? Hard pass

 

[WhatTheDuck]

So he’s another vanilla little guy? Hard pass

I think there's more there than you get with your average little tweener. He might be our fastest forward, brings some urgency/jam/heart and scored 21 goals in his first full NHL season after destroying the AHL.

Again, not claiming him to be any sort of savior but we play too slow and struggle to score too much for me to just turn my nose up.

 

[robbieboy3686]

I think there's more there than you get with your average little tweener. He might be our fastest forward, brings some urgency/jam/heart and scored 21 goals in his first full NHL season after destroying the AHL.

Again, not claiming him to be any sort of savior but we play too slow and struggle to score too much for me to just turn my nose up.

Ty for the description. Let’s see what happens!

 

[Ducks DVM]

To put 21 goals in perspective, we have had a player score 21+ goals exactly 7 times from ‘21-22 until today.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

To put 21 goals in perspective, we have had a player score 21+ goals exactly 7 times from ‘21-22 until today.

Sure, but remember, we'd coach the offense right out of him and then what do you have?

 

[Ducks DVM]

Sure, but remember, we'd coach the offense right out of him and then what do you have?

 

[Hockey Duckie]

To put 21 goals in perspective, we have had a player score 21+ goals exactly 7 times from ‘21-22 until today.

2021-22, Eakins: Terry (37), Zegras (23)
2022-23, Eakins: Zegras (23), Terry (23), Vatrano (22), Rico (22)
2023-24, Cronin: Vatrano (37)

Z is missing those days.

 

[Hey234]

Utah has had a few injuries on defense and are actively looking. It seems like their fans are open to Crouse leaving and that would be a solid add IMO. 6-4, 27 years old, 23 goals last year with 2 years left at 4.3 mil. I wonder if Vaakanainen+ would be of any interest?

 

[McDonald19]

Utah has had a few injuries on defense and are actively looking. It seems like their fans are open to Crouse leaving and that would be a solid add IMO. 6-4, 27 years old, 23 goals last year with 2 years left at 4.3 mil. I wonder if Vaakanainen+ would be of any interest?

I don’t think Vaak has any trade value, maybe LaCombe + something.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Utah has had a few injuries on defense and are actively looking. It seems like their fans are open to Crouse leaving and that would be a solid add IMO. 6-4, 27 years old, 23 goals last year with 2 years left at 4.3 mil. I wonder if Vaakanainen+ would be of any interest?

Give them lacombe instead, I’ll drive him to Utah myself.

 

[All Mighty]

I’m working on a project where I track ~15 variables for every single faceoff the Ducks take and I do keep tally of who gets kicked out. McT does get thrown out a bit more than our other centers, but it’s not a crazy amount. What I’ve noticed is some referees are significantly stricter on faceoffs than others. There are some games where like 1 or 2 guys get kicked out of the circle, and others where it happens all the time.

EDIT: I’ll write a more detailed analysis of what I’m tracking after game 15 or so.

Here is a screenshot of 1 period's worth of data from my master spreadsheet:

And here is an explanation on a few of the variables (columns on the spreadsheet) I'm tracking:

Reason - What caused the faceoff. Mainly tracking this to see how they do after icings and penalties where one team should have noticeable advantage.

Side - What side of the ice (from a Ducks' perspective) the faceoff takes place.

Strong - Is this faceoff on the Duck player's strong side? And OppStrong asks the same question for the opponent.

Kick - Did the Duck player get kicked? And if so, who was it?

OppKick - Did an opposing player get thrown out of the circle?

Clean - This is the only real arbitrary thing I'm tracking. I have refined my definition to: "A faceoff win is considered clean if the team that was officially credited with the win gets initial, legitimate possession of the puck." I'm tracking this because there are varying degrees to winning and losing a draw. A clean win to a teammate is obviously better than a win where your winger gets outworked and loses the puck battle.


Does anyone have any other suggestions on things I can track for each faceoff? Preferably something that isn't time consuming as I do this live while the play is going on.

 

[JAHV]

Here is a screenshot of 1 period's worth of data from my master spreadsheet:
View attachment 926579

And here is an explanation on a few of the variables (columns on the spreadsheet) I'm tracking:

Reason - What caused the faceoff. Mainly tracking this to see how they do after icings and penalties where one team should have noticeable advantage.

Side - What side of the ice (from a Ducks' perspective) the faceoff takes place.

Strong - Is this faceoff on the Duck player's strong side? And OppStrong asks the same question for the opponent.

Kick - Did the Duck player get kicked? And if so, who was it?

OppKick - Did an opposing player get thrown out of the circle?

Clean - This is the only real arbitrary thing I'm tracking. I have refined my definition to: "A faceoff win is considered clean if the team that was officially credited with the win gets initial, legitimate possession of the puck." I'm tracking this because there are varying degrees to winning and losing a draw. A clean win to a teammate is obviously better than a win where your winger gets outworked and loses the puck battle.


Does anyone have any other suggestions on things I can track for each faceoff? Preferably something that isn't time consuming as I do this live while the play is going on.

This is interesting work and I hope it leads to some useful data. Two possibilities to add:

- Did he try to go forward with the faceoff? This isn't common, but it does happen sometimes, particularly in the offensive zone.

- This is harder to track, but I think is one of the key aspects to a faceoff win or loss - did a winger have a significant impact in the faceoff? If so, which winger? In other words, did the faceoff result in a puck battle by the wingers, and if so, who was the winner/loser of the puck battle?