Speculation: 2024-25 Roster thread

[Hey234]

I am higher on LaCombe than most but when Cam returns, I hope they go

Minty-Gudas
Cam-Zell
Dumo-Helleson

I would prefer Zell-Helleson as a pair but Cronin seems to love Cam-Zell

It's an interesting problem and nice to have. It seems the choice is between LaCombe and Helleson because the other 4 appear to be locks at the moment. IMO, Helleson has earned a longer look especially as a RD. I would go:

Minty-Gudas
Dumoulin-Zellweger
Fowler-Helleson

 

[Mortal Wombat]

I would have sent Lacombe down earlier in the season, but the team decided not to do that, and now he is no longer waivers exempt. The waivers exempt defensemen are Helleson, Mintyukov, and Zellweger. So if somenone needs to be sent down, it is going to be Helleson, unfortunately.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

I would have sent Lacombe down earlier in the season, but the team decided not to do that, and now he is no longer waivers exempt. The waivers exempt defensemen are Helleson, Mintyukov, and Zellweger. So if somenone needs to be sent down, it is going to be Helleson, unfortunately.

Unless Pat makes a small deal and moves somebody?

 

[All Mighty]

 

[Frosted Tips]

Interesting. Is Minty going to take a seat?

 

[Ducks DVM]

There has to be something wrong with Mintyukov, right? He is SLOWWWWW right now.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Only have Strome making an appearance...

 

[Kariya 9]

I would really prefer to see Zegras at 1C and McTavish move down to 3rd line LW and move Cutter up to Zegras' wing. McTavish is just not a 1C.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Didn’t take a screenshot, but super impressed with Helleson looking as effective as he has with only a team worst 32.8% offensive zone start %

I would prefer Zell-Helleson as a pair but Cronin seems to love Cam-Zell

Dumo doesn't get enough praise for the work he's done with our youths, Minty and Helleson. I do not want to see Zell-Helleson at the moment. Helleson is playing like Vaak was when paired with Gudas last year.

 

[robbieboy3686]

There has to be something wrong with Mintyukov, right? He is SLOWWWWW right now.

I agree( he’s a prime candidate as well as mac of players who have been playing hurt as per verbeek desire given players play hurt in the playoffs often)

 

[Boo Boo]

There has to be something wrong with Mintyukov, right? He is SLOWWWWW right now.

Didn’t he have a pretty big lower body (knee maybe?) surgery over the offseason?

 

[Static]

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

There has to be something wrong with Mintyukov, right? He is SLOWWWWW right now.

IMO Minty has always been slow. Poor acceleration and pretty meh top speed. I think it’s honestly the only thing that could hold him back.

 

[Ducks DVM]

IMO Minty has always been slow. Poor acceleration and pretty meh top speed. I think it’s honestly the only thing that could hold him back.

Agreed, but he’s been slower than Gudas, and that was never the case previously.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

We are turnover machines. I’m not sure how much of that is still figured g out NHL speed and how much is the system, and how much is our forwards not getting open, but this team is going nowhere until that’s figured out. Interesting that the guy who gets the most grief for it (LaCombe) is one of the least guilty offenders, and also leads the team in takeaways, which we also horrible at as a team.

Snapshot of Takeaways/Giveaway stats I've done for the early season

Nov 1, 2024

Nov 21, 2024

LaCombe was the lone defenseman who broke even at the Takeaway/Giveaway Differential by Nov 21st. He was the lone defenseman who improved in that categeory between Nov 1st and Nov 21st.

One thing I've noticed about LaCombe is that when the rest of the team is playing poorly, he seems to play really well and make calm, smart decisions that stand out to me.

He only ever makes dumb plays when everyone else is playing well. It's odd.

I think most people are stuck on the LaCombe that was thrust onto the 1st pairing role with Fowler last year. LaCombe has made strides throughout the season last year and continuing this year. The problem is that the few mistakes he has are often highlighted maniacally in the GDT, but all the good work he does often along the board, disrupting plays, and getting the puck out are often not recognized. Kinda like how LaCombe wins pucks in our end, sends it up, then promptly gets off the ice, and Zell or Minty come on as the Ducks score a goal... not even the scoresheet recognizes LaCombe work. When Minty or Zell make egregious mistakes it's not highlighted by the LaCombe Lollies.

All of our youths will make mistakes, but in the GDT's we are groomed to think only LaCombe cannot do anything well.

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

Agreed, but he’s been slower than Gudas, and that was never the case previously.

It was his 21st birthday recently… maybe the poor kid is hungover

 

[Ducks DVM]

12%?!?!?

 

[Hockey Duckie]

There has to be something wrong with Mintyukov, right? He is SLOWWWWW right now.

Only got through the first period and I didn't notice Minty's skating to be slow. But the Minty-Gudas pairing is terrible defensively. LaCombe-Zell is our best offensive and defensive tandem. The Minty-Gudas pairing needs a pause. Maybe Minty needs a break and we get to see Fowler with a shutdown RD for a change.

Helleson's offensive production is very surprising b/c he is producing from the point whereas Minty, Zell, and LaCombe have been "Pinchers a Plenty" with their scoring.

 

[Son of Gib]

Do we think Zell on the right side is something that could work long-term?

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

Do we think Zell on the right side is something that could work long-term?

Given the lack of depth we have on the right side, it seems like that'll be the case.

As of now, Luneau and Solberg both have to hit in order to push him to the left and I don't see that happening for at least another couple years.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Do we think Zell on the right side is something that could work long-term?

Zell seems pretty comfortable on both sides..... id say yes if needed.... but it really just depends on how everyone else in the system pans out.

Having a guy that can comfortably play either side is good right now. Same goes for lacombe who has shown he can do both sides pretty comfortably too.

 

[JAHV]

Given the lack of depth we have on the right side, it seems like that'll be the case.

As of now, Luneau and Solberg both have to hit in order to push him to the left and I don't see that happening for at least another couple years.

Solberg is a LHD as well, isn't he? I'm not sure if he's playing the right side, but even if he's eventually paired with Zellweger, one of them will be on their off side.

I think Zellweger has looked pretty good over there. He's got quick hands and good instincts, so he's able to do things against the boards on his backhand that our other LHDs can't really do effectively.

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

Solberg is a LHD as well, isn't he? I'm not sure if he's playing the right side, but even if he's eventually paired with Zellweger, one of them will be on their off side.

I think Zellweger has looked pretty good over there. He's got quick hands and good instincts, so he's able to do things against the boards on his backhand that our other LHDs can't really do effectively.

I think the Gudas comparisons made me think he was a righty. In that case, it'd take even more for us to push Zellweger over to the left.

Definitely don't see it happening anytime soon.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

I think the Gudas comparisons made me think he was a righty. In that case, it'd take even more for us to push Zellweger over to the left.

Definitely don't see it happening anytime soon.

I dont know why hes being compared to Gudas.. The hitting part I get.. but his skating is miles ahead of Gudas. In my eyes he is more compared to a Niklas Kronwall.. Dude could skate and lay it out when needed.. Solberg will be a Kronwall Reincarnation.. You will seee take a look at these highlights.

 

[12ozPapa]

I dont know why hes being compared to Gudas.. The hitting part I get.. but his skating is miles ahead of Gudas. In my eyes he is more compared to a Niklas Kronwall.. Dude could skate and lay it out when needed.. Solberg will be a Kronwall Reincarnation.. You will seee take a look at these highlights.

If he throws those bitch back hits I’ll lose it