Speculation: 2024-25 Roster thread

[MMC]

Clang won the backup job

 

[Hockey Duckie]

If Zelwegger's play doesn't earn him a starting top 6 spot, then I hope we send him down. I'd rather him play 25 minutes / night in all situations in the AHL than 10 minutes in a sheltered role in NHL.

I'm also suprised we didn't keep one of Lindstrom and Pysyk, they would have been good insurance. We were decimated by injuries last year, sign them, explain they will bounce between AHL/NHL/etc.

I hope we can move McGinn to get someone up but I understand, he is probably a hard contract to move, but maybe it's for the best and let the young forwards get good playtime in AHL make them hungry for a top 9 role in case of injury rather getting under 10 minutes a game on 4th line.

I personally am high on Lacombe. I think he could a Josh Manson type defenseman. Pairing him with Gudas should give us a strong defensive pairing. I don't get PP1 QB, but i haven't watched enough preseason. I could see PP2 QB, but was hoping Minty/Carlson/Zegras would be commanding those roles.

I'm also really high on Luneau. I think pairing him with Fowler is beautiful. He has some size, unlike zelwegger, will play his natural side. He will see massive growing pains, but I think Fowler is the perfect partner for him.

Minty and Dumo is also very strong too. I wish Dumo was a RHD, but he will do all the things that Minty doesn't so that Minty can do the things we want him to do.

The one area I'm deeply deeply concerned about is centers and faceoffs. we are gonna destroyed there this year and chase the puck every shift. Our possession numbers will be terrible until the kids get better and we get legitimate Ace. As far as I can tell, we don't have anyone above 50% and a couple way below it.

Luneau's pre-season probably made Verbeek want to keep him up with the NHL club. Because of this, Lindstrom isn't needed to be signed for depth. Also because of this, Zell and LaCombe will probably be on a rotation. We are currently carrying 13 F, 8D, and 4G. G Suchanek is probably out for most of the season. G Gibson is on IR. Actually, we're only carrying 2 G's. With 8D, there's gonna be some rotations.

As for faceoffs, we Mac as the only returning FO specialist producing over a 50% rate. Here are the FO% for the game last night (per ESPN):

Carlsson: 4/12 (33.3%)
Lundy: 6/9 (66.7%)
Mac: 10/17 (58.8%)
Strome: 6/8 (75%)

It's a small sample and it was only against the Sharks, but aside from Carlsson, we might have other centers step up.

 

[MMC]

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