Speculation: 2024-25 Roster thread

[Deuce22]

This is why I said our roster construction is odd. We lost three defensive, responsible forwards on our PK unit in Rico, Silf, and Carrick. Rico and Carrick were over 50% on the dot. They were replaced with rookie Cutter, Fabbri, and a bunch of signed fringe NHL forwards. I'd rather have Cutter on the PK than Carlsson b/c Cutter's body is more physically advanced due to going the NCAA route and is a better FO specialist, especially if Cutter isn't on the top line.

I didn't like the experiment of Carlsson on the PK unit last year. I'm on the same notion of developing Carlsson as a 5v5 dominant, offensive center who can play on the PP. Putting him on the PK unit when he physically isn't ready yet doesn't make much sense. I remember a Getz podcast interview where the podcasters asked him, "Which would you choose for your team: to be able to draft McDavid or Crosby at that same year?" Getz said Crosby. Getz' reasoning was that it takes several years to develop that defense to become a two-way player and a newly drafted McDavid won't be that for a few more years.

Last summer when we found out we were going to have six rookies at the NHL level (four first timers), that's when I said Verbeek was rushing our prospects in hopes of shortening the rebuild time. Carlsson only played in 55 NHL games and the Ducks still finished in the bottom-3. We could have left Carlsson in the SHL with Orebro, where they have only 56 regular season games and they did qualify for the SHL playoffs. Orebro developed Carlsson for two years to become the #2 pick overall in the 2023 draft. Why not let him stew one more year there as a 1C? Verbeek is rushing the youth b/c he is unable to find enough outside the org vets to carry the team.

By purging the roster of bottom six PK types, Verbeek is going to have to begin developing some younger guys as penalty killers moving forward. The argument against playing your best guys on the PK is that it tires them out. The argument for is that if you want to prevent PP goals against, put better players out there to kill penalties. I'd like to see Cronin begin to build a quicker, more aggressive PK unit that just doesn't sit in a box and hope the goalie can make saves. To do that, some of the younger skill forwards are going to be a part of it.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

By purging the roster of bottom six PK types, Verbeek is going to have to begin developing some younger guys as penalty killers moving forward. The argument against playing your best guys on the PK is that it tires them out. The argument for is that if you want to prevent PP goals against, put better players out there to kill penalties. I'd like to see Cronin begin to build a quicker, more aggressive PK unit that just doesn't sit in a box and hope the goalie can make saves. To do that, some of the younger skill forwards are going to be a part of it.

Rico wasn't a bottom-6 and played in all three situations: ES, PP, and PK. Rico was developed into that type of all-situational player over time, becoming a PK'er in Anaheim. Offensive forwards need time to develop that defense, but suggesting to put Carlsson into that situation as an 18-year old/ 19-year old while already playing top line line minutes and on the PP is re-creating bad situation on Carlsson's body. Rico played 17:35 ATOI in all three situations, but Carlsson played 18:07 in two-situations (ES and PP). We bitch and complain that Fowler's minutes need to be cut down to make him more effective, but we want to run down our youths b/c our GM can't find appropriate veterans to carry the load today?

We do have some youth forwards that could be PK staples like Gaucher, Nesterenko, and Pitre, but they're a year or more away from the NHL.

There are 12 forward spots per game and we're asking a 19-year old, who got broke last year physically, to carry the whole team? There are other roster spots that could help improve the PK. Hell, we developed a pugilist into a regular PK'er in Des.

 

[Deuce22]

Rico wasn't a bottom-6 and played in all three situations: ES, PP, and PK. Rico was developed into that type of all-situational player over time, becoming a PK'er in Anaheim. Offensive forwards need time to develop that defense, but suggesting to put Carlsson into that situation as an 18-year old/ 19-year old while already playing top line line minutes and on the PP is re-creating bad situation on Carlsson's body. Rico played 17:35 ATOI in all three situations, but Carlsson played 18:07 in two-situations (ES and PP). We bitch and complain that Fowler's minutes need to be cut down to make him more effective, but we want to run down our youths b/c our GM can't find appropriate veterans to carry the load today?

We do have some youth forwards that could be PK staples like Gaucher, Nesterenko, and Pitre, but they're a year or more away from the NHL.

There are 12 forward spots per game and we're asking a 19-year old, who got broke last year physically, to carry the whole team? There are other roster spots that could help improve the PK. Hell, we developed a pugilist into a regular PK'er in Des.

If Henrique can play a regular shift plus special teams, why can't our young guys? I want more dynamic skaters and skill on the PK, not just a bunch of bottom six pluggers. Not advocating for Leo on the PK necessarily, but need to find some young guys that can move and threaten the points.

 

[DavidBL]

By purging the roster of bottom six PK types, Verbeek is going to have to begin developing some younger guys as penalty killers moving forward. The argument against playing your best guys on the PK is that it tires them out. The argument for is that if you want to prevent PP goals against, put better players out there to kill penalties. I'd like to see Cronin begin to build a quicker, more aggressive PK unit that just doesn't sit in a box and hope the goalie can make saves. To do that, some of the younger skill forwards are going to be a part of it.

I think PV is thinking this way too. IIRC he made comments about wanting Power killers.

 

[12ozPapa]

Can’t wait for another season of bore

 

[Bergey37]

Then don't watch.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

If Henrique can play a regular shift plus special teams, why can't our young guys? I want more dynamic skaters and skill on the PK, not just a bunch of bottom six pluggers. Not advocating for Leo on the PK necessarily, but need to find some young guys that can move and threaten the points.

Rico didn't play PK until he got to Anaheim at age 27/28. Even then, he didn't join the PK unit until years later. It was painfully obvious Carlsson wasn't ready to be a full-time NHL'er last year. We're just hoping for improvement this season. There's no need to continue to run down the youths when they are still trying to develop muscles to fly.

I wish you could stop talking in theory and actually point out the young guys so then there's an actual debate on things rather than be cheeky to say "find some young guy". I'm talking about 18 and 19 year olds here, but you're on some odd trip of saying youths without saying who on the roster are these youths. Every f***ing body wants "more dynamic skaters and skill on the PK". Back up your shit and tell us these youths you keep bringing up. Then we can go into discussion about it instead of you circling around subject when I'm specifically naming players not to do that with.

 

[Deuce22]

Rico didn't play PK until he got to Anaheim at age 27/28. Even then, he didn't join the PK unit until years later. It was painfully obvious Carlsson wasn't ready to be a full-time NHL'er last year. We're just hoping for improvement this season. There's no need to continue to run down the youths when they are still trying to develop muscles to fly.

I wish you could stop talking in theory and actually point out the young guys so then there's an actual debate on things rather than be cheeky to say "find some young guy". I'm talking about 18 and 19 year olds here, but you're on some odd trip of saying youths without saying who on the roster are these youths. Every f***ing body wants "more dynamic skaters and skill on the PK". Back up your shit and tell us these youths you keep bringing up. Then we can go into discussion about it instead of you circling around subject when I'm specifically naming players not to do that with.

The anger is crazed and unjustified. I want the PK to get younger and more dynamic. So what? Get off your high horse and stop telling me what to do and think. The PK philosophy that the Ducks have had lately isn’t working. A good argument can be made that Carlsson’s time In the NHL last year was more beneficial than if he had stayed in Sweden like you wanted.

 

[Kalv]

I think over the next year we'll start to see some trades.

It's well documented now that Pat was very active during the FA period. Since it didn't came to fruition, it feels like he's ready to go some lengths to improve this team. Yet, he's not a hothead (which I respect) and the deal has to come available. Laine wasn't it, I respect that too.

Just a reflection on my part as I'm waiting for hockey

 

[12ozPapa]

Then don't watch.

I won’t be! Lol

 

[Boo Boo]

I think over the next year we'll start to see some trades.

It's well documented now that Pat was very active during the FA period. Since it didn't came to fruition, it feels like he's ready to go some lengths to improve this team. Yet, he's not a hothead (which I respect) and the deal has to come available. Laine wasn't it, I respect that too.

Just a reflection on my part as I'm waiting for hockey

I’m really hoping we can move next years first for a core player at some point this season. Just make sure include top 5 protection in case the season really goes off the rails

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

I’m really hoping we can move next years first for a core player at some point this season. Just make sure include top 5 protection in case the season really goes off the rails

The rails are pretty fragile tbh (again). A couple key injuries is all it takes.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

I won’t be! Lol

I'll give it a good effort the first 20 games. I fear the team will fall into the same trap of playing boring Cronin hockey: outshot, less disciplined, low effort and tactically unaware of the opposition.

My favorite part will be the deer in the headlights postgame interviews.

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

I'll give it a good effort the first 20 games. I fear the team will fall into the same trap of playing boring Cronin hockey: outshot, less disciplined, low effort and tactically unaware of the opposition.

My favorite part will be the deer in the headlights postgame interviews.

We haven't outshot our opponents since the 15-16 season lol

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

We haven't outshot our opponents since the 15-16 season lol

I always wished Boudreau came back in some capacity. Those teams were highly entertaining. Murrays stubborness caused his firing

 

[SmokeyDuck]

I always wished Boudreau came back in some capacity. Those teams were highly entertaining. Murrays stubborness caused his firing

No.

 

[tomd]

I’m really hoping we can move next years first for a core player at some point this season. Just make sure include top 5 protection in case the season really goes off the rails

Top 5 protection means the pick would be exercised in 2026 and that means giving up a chance at Gavin McKenna. Not gonna happen.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

The anger is crazed and unjustified. I want the PK to get younger and more dynamic. So what? Get off your high horse and stop telling me what to do and think. The PK philosophy that the Ducks have had lately isn’t working. A good argument can be made that Carlsson’s time In the NHL last year was more beneficial than if he had stayed in Sweden like you wanted.

Nah... You responded to a specific players named with generic answers that everyone wants. That's a wasted answer that you cannot provide and are still dodging.

Prove that Carlsson's time in the NHL was more beneficial than sticking with the Orebro group that developed Carlsson since age 16 to become the #2 pick. See, there you go again putting ideas out there without concrete substance.

Bring substance or be quiet.

 

[Deuce22]

Nah... You responded to a specific players named with generic answers that everyone wants. That's a wasted answer that you cannot provide and are still dodging.

Prove that Carlsson's time in the NHL was more beneficial than sticking with the Orebro group that developed Carlsson since age 16 to become the #2 pick. See, there you go again putting ideas out there without concrete substance.

Bring substance or be quiet.

I can't prove that Carlsson playing in Anaheim was better, just as you can't prove staying in Sweden would have been. Both are just opinions. Define "substance." If you mean charts, graphs, and supposed "research" save it. That stuff is boring and agenda driven. I'll continue to have opinions, that's what boards like this are for.

As for who I would put on the PK, it of course depends on what the roster is, which neither of us knows. Something like this would be the direction I'm looking for.

Lundestrom-Leason
Cutter-McGinn/Colangelo/Nestorenko
Leo/Mac-McGinn/Colangelo/Nestorenko

Dumoulin-LaCombe
Gudas-Mintyukov

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Terry is the Key to this coming season. If he can pot 30 30 we should be in good shape.. Problem is.. He has baby # 2 coming..

 

[Kalv]

Terry is the Key to this coming season. If he can pot 30 30 we should be in good shape.. Problem is.. He has baby # 2 coming..

Dad Terry will tear NHL up.

I'd expect Zegras to track 0.8-1 PPG. Leo and Cutter are a bit of a wild cards for me, Idk wjat to expect. Perhaps 0.6-0.8 for Leo and 0.5-0.6 for Cutter

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Dad Terry will tear NHL up.

I'd expect Zegras to track 0.8-1 PPG. Leo and Cutter are a bit of a wild cards for me, Idk wjat to expect. Perhaps 0.6-0.8 for Leo and 0.5-0.6 for Cutter

They’re all wildcards IMO. Can Terry and Zegras bounce back? Can Mac, Mintyukov, and Leo progress? I don’t think Frankie repeating his performance from last year is a good bet, but maybe? Can Fabbri replace Rico’s production? What’s Cutter going to look like over a full season? Zellweger?

That’s just offense. The biggest question marks to me are, is there a competent defensive plan in place, and can these players execute it? There’s also the impact (hopefully!) of changing special teams coaches. Can we kill penalties? We know we’re going to be near the top of the league in taking them.

 

[Doothpick]

Geez, those PK units look horrible. I bet they'll be on the bottom of the barrel short-handed this season. Used to it, though, but still wondering why Verbeek hasn't acquired veteran PKer who can take face-offs. I think it would've been useful trying to replace some of what Carrick/Henrique brought.

Maybe Dumoulin helps somewhat, but still, that PK looks really bad on paper. I hope they'll prove me wrong.

 

[Kalv]

They’re all wildcards IMO. Can Terry and Zegras bounce back? Can Mac, Mintyukov, and Leo progress? I don’t think Frankie repeating his performance from last year is a good bet, but maybe? Can Fabbri replace Rico’s production? What’s Cutter going to look like over a full season? Zellweger?

That’s just offense. The biggest question marks to me are, is there a competent defensive plan in place, and can these players execute it? There’s also the impact (hopefully!) of changing special teams coaches. Can we kill penalties? We know we’re going to be near the top of the league in taking them.

Yeah In my mind I already "plan" that Fabbri will not replace Rico's impact and that Frank will produce less. The only real improvements outside from some of the young guys, can come systematically, IMO.

 

[KelVarnsen]

Yeah In my mind I already "plan" that Fabbri will not replace Rico's impact and that Frank will produce less. The only real improvements outside from some of the young guys, can come systematically, IMO.

You think Old Man Cronin has the chops to help the team improve systematically? I am not so sure. He seems like he should have topped out as an assistant coach after what we witnessed last season.