Speculation: 2024-25 Roster thread

[Boo Boo]

This is the terrifying truth. Through our absolute shit years we weren't able to draft 1st and get that bonafide superstar to build around so it's a lot of hope and prayers.

I have no doubt that between all the young guys in our roster we have a few superstardom seasons in waiting - the problem is that we’ll likely have to wait until our guys are in or nearing their prime to start cashing in on those great seasons. Keller for the HC didn’t hit ppg until his D+7 and now he’s like their franchise icon so there’s still tonnes to be hopeful for

 

[cheesymc]

I dont mind the Gibson trade .... Colton would be a great add, but id also prefer to chase Bennet in the off season.
-Gibson for Georgiev + 26 1st (or 25+26 2nds)

Fowler trade seems pretty meh, id hope wed be able to figure out something better in a fowler trade.

The last trade is just confusing across the board... liljegren just doesnt make a ton of sense in terms of fit.... myers makes little to no sense... and Reimer is just waiver fodder.... and vaaks is a solid 7 for us.

You’re dreaming if you think Bennett hits the market as a UFA, and on drugs if you think he would select Anaheim as his destination. Why would he want to pay more taxes and play in the gutter?

We aren’t going to get a young ready to play player for Fowler because that team would be a playoff team, just like when the Oilers didn’t trade Brogberg or Holloway last year. Only picks or prospects are coming back and it’s not going to be very good. Nashville might be one of the few teams with the picks and prospects to slightly overpay. I’d prefer L’Heureux but they probably want him as that depth call up right now. Surin is at least a year older than who we would select in 2025, and we haven’t been picking well in the late 1st or early 2nd.

Vaak is ok, but he’s 5th on the left side. If Dumoulin plays decently I wouldn’t be surprised if Verbeek extended him. What decent RHD is available or on the trade block Liljegren might be the only one that is ready to log big minutes and would cost very little. If he busts, we have plenty of money to target Ekblad or Andersson in the offseason, although I highly doubt they make it to UFA or want to join the ducks.

 

[ohcomeonref]

I have no doubt that between all the young guys in our roster we have a few superstardom seasons in waiting - the problem is that we’ll likely have to wait until our guys are in or nearing their prime to start cashing in on those great seasons. Keller for the HC didn’t hit ppg until his D+7 and now he’s like their franchise icon so there’s still tonnes to be hopeful for

Absolutely. Hope isn't lost, there just isn't a sure-thing.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

A positive feather for Verbeek is that he set out to improve the bottom-6 and he did just that. Unfortunately, our top-6 looks to be in the embryo stage still.

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

I am feeling cautiously hopeful about tomorrow's game. First game was definitely rusty, second game was a B2B against a top team. This should (hopefully) give us a clearer picture about where we stand.

Unless it's a terrible game, then it's just a fluke!

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

I am feeling cautiously hopeful about tomorrow's game. First game was definitely rusty, second game was a B2B against a top team. This should (hopefully) give us a clearer picture about where we stand.

Unless it's a terrible game, then it's just a fluke!

I feel like there’s been a tangible improvement defensively. Offensively it’s been pretty weak, very little sustained attack, hard to see exactly what the system is. Only one goal scored on offense - Lundy’s goal. The other two were both defense-to-offense conversions, one a turnover breakaway and the other was an empty netter from 180 feet. I’ve yet to see much in the way of goals being manufactured by a system.

 

[Kalv]

A positive feather for Verbeek is that he set out to improve the bottom-6 and he did just that. Unfortunately, our top-6 looks to be in the embryo stage still.

I saw many here saying that Leo is struggling because they got the tough matchups. I did not see that, they got the Howden line for the most part when I was paying attention. Our "top" line is just 2 struggling rookies and a slow-ish vet. (I lnow I know, but Leo still haven't played even 60 NHL games yet).

If there's some place that tracks the matchup data like strength, that'd be interesting to see

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I feel like there’s been a tangible improvement defensively. Offensively it’s been pretty weak, very little sustained attack, hard to see exactly what the system is. Only one goal scored on offense - Lundy’s goal. The other two were both defense-to-offense conversions, one a turnover breakaway and the other was an empty netter from 180 feet. I’ve yet to see much in the way of goals being manufactured by a system.

The Lundy goal was also defense-to-offense conversion. It started when the Sharks tried to dump the puck into our corner, but Fowler quickly sniffed it out and rimmed it around to Leason near the blue line. The Sharks were a bit in chaos on quickly how the possession switched. Leason and McGinn rushed up through the neutral zone 2 v 3, which included rookie Will Smith defending. Leason couldn't have dumped it in b/c McGinn was on his hip in the neutral zone and Lundy was still slightly behind the play. Blazing down the center of the ice unmarked was Lundy and Leason found him breaking early.

We still haven't seen any goals manufactured offensively solely by the system. They're counters or EN's.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Our 21st Duck for the 2024-25 season is Emma Melin. Her story is heart gripping since her 9th day of being born.

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

I feel like there’s been a tangible improvement defensively. Offensively it’s been pretty weak, very little sustained attack, hard to see exactly what the system is. Only one goal scored on offense - Lundy’s goal. The other two were both defense-to-offense conversions, one a turnover breakaway and the other was an empty netter from 180 feet. I’ve yet to see much in the way of goals being manufactured by a system.

I think we'll only see evidence of a true offensive system from the top two lines, who have been very quiet/bad.

Over the next few games we should hopefully getting a clearer picture of whether they've been bad because of a lack of said system or if it's something else - rust, poor play, bad players, sickness, etc.

 

[Deuce22]

I’m an outlier I guess. I’ve seen us beat a team we should and lose (competitively) to a team that’s better than us. I’ve seen better defense and weaker offense than I expected. I’ve been pleased with the goaltending. I feel out of step with my lack of concern.

 

[AngelDuck]

I’m an outlier I guess. I’ve seen us beat a team we should and lose (competitively) to a team that’s better than us. I’ve seen better defense and weaker offense than I expected. I’ve been pleased with the goaltending. I feel out of step with my lack of concern.

The only thing I’m concerned about is offense generation by the young players and the power play. Everything else is better than anticipated so far

 

[2faded]

I think Terry has earned his way back to the top line. Leo needs better linemates and Killorn/Gauthier ain't it right now.

I also think Zegras has earned top line W or 2C.

What about:

Fabbri-Leo-Terry
Vatrano-Zegras-McTavish
Gauthier-Strome-Killorn

Or

Zegras-Leo-Terry
Vatrano-McTavish-Fabbri
Gauthier-Strome-Killorn

 

[MMC]

I think Terry has earned his way back to the top line. Leo needs better linemates and Killorn/Gauthier ain't it right now.

I also think Zegras has earned top line W or 2C.

What about:

Fabbri-Leo-Terry
Vatrano-Zegras-McTavish
Gauthier-Strome-Killorn

Or

Zegras-Leo-Terry
Vatrano-McTavish-Fabbri
Gauthier-Strome-Killorn

Think I'd do

Killorn-Carlsson-McTavish
Vatrano-Zegras-Terry
Gauthier-Strome-Fabbri

 

[KelVarnsen]

If they aren’t going to send Cutter down, at least switch him with Vatrano. Maybe a little easier matchup will help him. I still think he should go down to SD though.

Vat-Leo-Killorn
Fabbri-Mac-Z
Cutter-Strome-Terry
McGinn-Lundy-Leason

 

[robbieboy3686]

If they aren’t going to send Cutter down, at least switch him with Vatrano. Maybe a little easier matchup will help him. I still think he should go down to SD though.

Vat-Leo-Killorn
Fabbri-Mac-Z
Cutter-Strome-Terry
McGinn-Lundy-Leason

Naw, don’t send him down. Agree on the switch with vatrano though

 

[MMC]

I think saying Cutter needs to be sent down is a bit premature. He hasn’t been good but he’s both only 4 games into his career and hasn’t really been tried outside of the top line. At least see if a different deployment can get him going first

 

[Ducksforcup]

Yeah I wouldn't send Cutter down yet.

Zell on the other hand I think it wouldn't hurt to give him some big minutes in the AHL. Besides Vaaks and Gudas tend to play well together.

 

[MMC]

McGinn is definitely overpaid but I like him. I’d like to extend both him and Fabbri if they can get reasonable deals

 

[KaseMeOutside]

I saw many here saying that Leo is struggling because they got the tough matchups. I did not see that, they got the Howden line for the most part when I was paying attention. Our "top" line is just 2 struggling rookies and a slow-ish vet. (I lnow I know, but Leo still haven't played even 60 NHL games yet).

If there's some place that tracks the matchup data like strength, that'd be interesting to see

I worry that we are forcing things on Leo he's not ready for. I'll be honest I'm 100% against the penalty killing, he had a nice rookie season but it wasn't a great one and I also don't like the idea of him blocking alot of shots and possibly getting hurt

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Cutter should be playing lower in the lineup imo he's got quite a learning curve ahead of him

 

[LuGBuG]

Vat-Leo-Killorn
Fabbri-Mac-Z
Cutter-Strome-Terry
McGinn-Lundy-Leason

 

[Arthuros]

If they aren’t going to send Cutter down, at least switch him with Vatrano. Maybe a little easier matchup will help him. I still think he should go down to SD though.

Vat-Leo-Killorn
Fabbri-Mac-Z
Cutter-Strome-Terry
McGinn-Lundy-Leason

Pretty much the same thoughts here. It's clear Gauthier isn't ready to be the prime scoring threat on his line yet. This way we can even switch Killorn and Vatrano back to their natural winger spots.

 

[JAHV]

I think Leo just had a rough couple of games - he was great last night and he's going to carry that line, whoever is on it. The Ducks just need to get him partners who can provide the support Leo needs to maximize their production.

I honestly think Killorn and Gauthier are great fits on paper. Killorn is a savvy veteran who is good at getting to the right places on the ice. Gauthier, when he's on track, is a sniper. I don't think the Ducks should change things up yet. Killorn looked better last night, and while Gauthier was a hot mess, the Ducks need to manage that carefully to avoid destroying the kid's confidence. Whether that's showing belief in him by sticking with him or moving him to another line to get better matchups, I don't know.

Also, I love Carlsson killing penalties. Good teams have their best players killing penalties because they're your best players for a reason, and those reasons extend to the defensive end of the ice. The Ducks' PK was at its best when Getzlaf was out there on it.

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

If they aren’t going to send Cutter down, at least switch him with Vatrano. Maybe a little easier matchup will help him. I still think he should go down to SD though.

Vat-Leo-Killorn
Fabbri-Mac-Z
Cutter-Strome-Terry
McGinn-Lundy-Leason

Bringing Sami back and sticking him on the first line? Now that's a bold move. You're hired!