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]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842637087910285738

 

[MMC]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842911008274428010

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

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.

Management seems to think these kids are all ready now. Rather than overcook anyone in SD, the development play seems to be to provide a veteran mentor for every pairing rather than having a veteran backup who could actually fill the role the kids are destined for. So, maximum pressure to perform on each kid mitigated by veteran shepherding on-ice, rather than lesser pressure to perform on each kid because they aren’t the only option for critical roles.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842911008274428010

Jackson’s career peaked when Gudas called him “manly."

 

[Trojans86]

Time to trade Fowler.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Time to trade Fowler.

Fowler has been paired with Luneau. Vaakanainen and Zellweger don’t provide the same level of veteran buffer that they’re pretty clearly trying to do.

Edit - combined with Luneau and Zelleweger both having significant warts during preseason, and Vaakanainen barely playing.

 

[WhyVerbeekWhy]

I'd like to see three scoring lines as follows:

Cutter - Leo - Killorn
Vatrano - McTavish - Terry
Fabbri - Zegras - Strome (try and give them the easiest matchups)

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Z and Mac apparently live near each other, hang out every day, and carpool to work. I don’t know if that contributes to them being linemates but Z seems happy about being on Mac’s wing.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Z and Mac apparently live near each other, hang out every day, and carpool to work. I don’t know if that contributes to them being linemates but Z seems happy about being on Mac’s wing.

Because I think both are not married yet..it makes sense. Lol

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Management seems to think these kids are all ready now. Rather than overcook anyone in SD, the development play seems to be to provide a veteran mentor for every pairing rather than having a veteran backup who could actually fill the role the kids are destined for. So, maximum pressure to perform on each kid mitigated by veteran shepherding on-ice, rather than lesser pressure to perform on each kid because they aren’t the only option for critical roles.


Jackson’s career peaked when Gudas called him “manly."

True. But being #1. Umm I think that will eventually be Mynty

 

[MMC]

Gibson and Suchanek to IR are the last moves we need to make for the opening day roster

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842997171140063241

 

[Trojans86]

Fowler has been paired with Luneau. Vaakanainen and Zellweger don’t provide the same level of veteran buffer that they’re pretty clearly trying to do.

Edit - combined with Luneau and Zelleweger both having significant warts during preseason, and Vaakanainen barely playing.

I agree he is a little better, but long term I want the young guys getting as many games as possible for development and I wouldn’t mind another asset in the system. I’d take a late first for a 50% retained Fowler and then look to trade up again. Stolberg was a great addition for a 2nd pick in the draft. Let’s do that again.

 

[MMC]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843008754239099183

 

[Ducks DVM]

I agree he is a little better, but long term I want the young guys getting as many games as possible for development and I wouldn’t mind another asset in the system. I’d take a late first for a 50% retained Fowler and then look to trade up again. Stolberg was a great addition for a 2nd pick in the draft. Let’s do that again.

Yeah, but let’s make sure that the kids don’t need to be in San Diego first. Fowler is a second half of the season trade at this point, which I think maximizes prospect development and the return that would be expected for him.

I feel like everyone wanting Zellweger/Luneau/Mintyuokov to immediately get a lot more responsibilities wasn’t watching the same preseason as me.

 

[Trojans86]

Yeah, but let’s make sure that the kids don’t need to be in San Diego first. Fowler is a second half of the season trade at this point, which I think maximizes prospect development and the return that would be expected for him.

I feel like everyone wanting Zellweger/Luneau/Mintyuokov to immediately get a lot more responsibilities wasn’t watching the same preseason as me.

Totally agree that we can slow play this and look for a trade deadline move. That would be my preferred approach. I just don’t want Lacombe or Zellweger sitting on the bench too much unless they have a clear training regimen built around getting these guys physically stronger and the guys are sitting in a strategic way around their strength training sessions.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Totally agree that we can slow play this and look for a trade deadline move. That would be my preferred approach. I just don’t want Lacombe or Zellweger sitting on the bench too much unless they have a clear training regimen built around getting these guys physically stronger and the guys are sitting in a strategic way around their strength training sessions.

I’d prefer whichever of Zellweger/Luneau loses the numbers game be sent to San Diego.

Hopefully LaCombe’s confidence bears out as a real thing, that’d be great to have him as a legit mid-pairing level guy going forward. Helps shelter the kids, and there’s no such thing as too much defensive depth.

 

[branmuffin17]

I still think LaCombe has looked like he holds onto the puck too long trying to make a decision sometimes.

And as much as I can admit it's time to let the kids shine, if we want to make something worthwhile of this season, I just don't know that I see it as trading Fowler ASAP this year. Does no one else remember how many injuries we typically have? One goes down, Zell or whoever is 7th comes in. But it starts getting a lot thinner in people able to play at the NHL level pretty quickly when diving into the prospect pool. I'm still high on Hinds, hope Warren will turn out well, and Dionicio looks like he might be pretty good. But Solberg is at least 1-2 years out (2 preferably).

 

[ohcomeonref]

I’d prefer whichever of Zellweger/Luneau loses the numbers game be sent to San Diego.

Hopefully LaCombe’s confidence bears out as a real thing, that’d be great to have him as a legit mid-pairing level guy going forward. Helps shelter the kids, and there’s no such thing as too much defensive depth.

I'm hoping LaCombe can become a steadying-influence kind of player that backs up players like Zellweger to play a dynamic offensive type of game.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

I had no idea Zegras was half greek. That's awesome

 

[Kalv]

I had no idea Zegras was half greek. That's awesome

That's why he's greecy - i'll show myself out

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Time to trade Fowler.

The Ducks always trade guys too late. When's the last time they got ahead on something and could really extract great value for their assets. I guess Drysdale trade would be the one exception I can think of

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843008754239099183

That is a credible top 9, there is zero excuse to not be a competitive team atleast offensively if goal scoring is an issue again I'm looking at the coach

 

[Anaheim4ever]

The Ducks always trade guys too late. When's the last time they got ahead on something and could really extract great value for their assets. I guess Drysdale trade would be the one exception I can think of


That is a credible top 9, there is zero excuse to not be a competitive team atleast offensively if goal scoring is an issue again I'm looking at the coach

Yeah its like some years ago some of those bad Sens teams were competitive offensively but would give up a lot of goals that doomed their season. I'd much rather watch a team like then one that scores 1 goal per game.

 

[FiveTacos]

The Ducks always trade guys too late. When's the last time they got ahead on something and could really extract great value for their assets.

They're not late on Fowler. His partial NTC and remaining term and salary would have made the trade return minimal a few years ago, assuming a match was even possible. Out of 4 teams he'd be willing to go to you'd have to find one with a need for him long term, with cap space, and sufficient rebuilding assets to make it worthwhile.

Now a deadline deal would leave a team to deal with only one additional year at a more reasonable % of the cap.

The only way to have gotten significantly more was to trade him BEFORE signing him to his extension, when he was 25 and not yet UFA.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842911008274428010

Wanted to point out, I love how Gudas talks about LaCombe here, leaving aside whether or not you agree with the substance. About how it’s a privilege to play with him, gives specific details of how he’s improved that clearly tie in to things LaCombe has said himself he wanted to improve. This is real mentorship, seems like Gudas is a natural.