Speculation: 2024-25 Roster Thread

[Webster]

Will be interesting to see what they'll do with Solberg next season, I also think if the Ducks are fine when it comes to the physicality he'll start with the Gulls. He had 5 points in his first 10 games for them, and also delivered a show at the Worlds against NHL-players. So it looks like he's closer to make the big team.

Madden: "I think he proved in his short stint in San Diego and right now at the World Championships that he’s a really valuable pro already. He can have an impact when you trust him with ice time".

If they want him to play much I see a top 4 role with the Gulls, and then maybe call him up later in the season. I think he'll be one of the first because he brings this physical game, an important element his competitors don't have to the same degree.

Solberg said he expects to play in the AHL, but they told him the decision will be made in training camp. I guess that decision goes for all the young and hopeful =)

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Will be interesting to see what they'll do with Solberg next season, I also think if the Ducks are fine when it comes to the physicality he'll start with the Gulls. He had 5 points in his first 10 games for them, and also delivered a show at the Worlds against NHL-players. So it looks like he's closer to make the big team.

Madden: "I think he proved in his short stint in San Diego and right now at the World Championships that he’s a really valuable pro already. He can have an impact when you trust him with ice time".

If they want him to play much I see a top 4 role with the Gulls, and then maybe call him up later in the season. I think he'll be one of the first because he brings this physical game, an important element his competitors don't have to the same degree.

Solberg said he expects to play in the AHL, but they told him the decision will be made in training camp. I guess that decision goes for all the young and hopeful =)

Still think Zellweger or Myntikov get traded in a package.. They are very high on Stain

 

[robbieboy3686]

Still think Zellweger or Myntikov get traded in a package.. They are very high on Stain

+1000 helleson too at some point

 

[Hockey Duckie]

This is similar to my thinking as well. I would keep LaCombe at LD1. Short term, Trouba probably makes the most sense as his partner. Still believe RD1 is the team's main issue long-term. I'm not confident Moore, Helleson, or Luneau will be that player. It's much more likely IMO that those 3 fight it out for the bottom two RD spots long-term.

My guess is that Solberg, Luneau, and Moore will be in San Diego until at least the deadline unless injuries at NHL level. The Ducks have too many defensemen competing for spots for them to add this summer without shipping someone out.

Because I think we found an actual #1D in LD LaCombe, then the RD1 doesn't have to be an actual top-pairing guy. That RD1 needs to be a top-4 shutdown guy to be a great complement to LaCombe. It was the role RD Manson played with Lindholm.

If we want to get better today to make a playoff run, then Verbeek needs to acquire a top-4 RD via FA or trade. But it feels awkward because we have so many youths we have invested in and they're all still in their development mode, except for LaCombe. Defensemen usually take a while to develop. LaCombe didn't pop off until his D+6 season. Helleson is still finding his way to the NHL after his D+6 season. Moore finished his D+5 season, USHL + 4 years in the NCAA as well as a short stints in the AHL and NHL. Zell and Hinds finished their D+4 season. Minty and Luneau finished their D+3 season.

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Youth Long Term Solutions at RD1.

6'1 Luneau cannot play opposite of LaCombe due to two reasons: 1) Luneau isn't a DFD nor shutdown guy and 2) both are offensive-minded d-men, it would negate that skill from either player.

6'3 Helleson looks good b/c he is better at defense than Zell and Minty. That doesn't mean he's better than Gudas or Trouba. I have no idea if Helleson can handle the RD2 role, let alone an RD1 role. Helly was lost in the AHL for a few years. He potentially can be, but the probability of that is not high.

6'4 Warren is still far away from the NHL, but did have a good development, rookie season in the AHL as per Defend the Nest's 2025 Player grade. He is just a shutdown guy at the moment. Although, he does possess a booming slapshot. For now, his focus is adapting and developing to the pro game.

6'3 Moore is the dark horse here. What Moore possesses over the aforementioned three RD's is his skating, particularly speed. He has spent the last two NCAA seasons playing shutdown RD1 on a rebuilding team. Moore does have offensive inkling with his USHL and first two seasons in the NCAA before being designated as a shutdown guy by his coaches. Defend the Nest's regular season game reporting stated that Moore was our best defensemen, including being better than Luneau! Granted it was only a 9-game stint, but he showed so much skill and poise in that 9-game stint than Helleson has shown in his few seasons in the AHL. He could have top-4RD potential

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Nothing is a sure thing with prospects. That is probably why I have 6'6 RD Mrtka has a possible Ducks draft candidate. He's a shutdown guy whose offense popped off at the WHL. His offense isn't anything fancy, but his basic stuff produces onto the scoresheet.