Speculation: 2025-26 Ducks Defense (Overview)

[JAHV]

I guess I'm more skeptical off of 1 good season given we're talking 7-8 mill. If he regresses we could be on the hook for 3-4 mill on an over pay for 8 years.

He'd have to regress A LOT at a time when it's possible and maybe even probable he gets a bit better. If he takes a step forward under a new regime, that also means we're on the hook for an extra $3-$4 million per year and it skews the payroll structure even more.

I understand the skepticism, but again, this was not a cheap statistic-fueled season. It was driven by improvements in all of the underlying performance measures. I have a hard time believing he'll just forget how to do all that stuff next year.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I guess I'm more skeptical off of 1 good season given we're talking 7-8 mill. If he regresses we could be on the hook for 3-4 mill on an over pay for 8 years.

I'm more impressed he did it while carrying Gudas as a top-pairing guy who plays all three aspects of the game: ES, PP, and PK.

I see LaCombe having two good seasons. Last year, Cronin cited he was the most improve player on the team. The way LaCombe closed out the season, he was the best of our youths and displayed he's a two-way guy. He did it again this year and upped his game to become that "apex predator" by doing work in the off-season. His merits get rewarded by joining team USA at Worlds.

If you see it as just LaCombe came out of nowhere this year, then I'd be feeling like you that his prospect is still sus. If you see LaCombe in a two-year lens and noticed progression at the end of each season, then it's not really a gamble.

LaCombe still is under contract on a really cheap deal for one more season. He doesn't have to sign anything this summer and can wait next summer. A problem does arise if LaCombe sustains or improves upon this past season with the other teammates requiring new contracts.

Needs a new contract in summer of 2026

• LD LaCombe
• C Carlsson
• LW Cutter
• LW Zegras
• LD Zell
• LD Minty

If LaCombe, Carlsson, Cutter, and Zegras all improve, then the Ducks might be paying even higher rates with an even higher salary cap for that summer.

 

[branmuffin17]

So @branmuffin17

Where’s the goalie overview!

No respect!

LOL I mean, I don't know that much about Clang or the other goalie prospects. I honestly have no clue what the true plan is with Gibby. I've known for the past couple of years that Dosty is our goalie of the future and called him out as such previously.

I know that Dosty is an RFA and it would be interesting to see what he'll be signed to, and for how long.

I've heard that Gibby actually really likes it w/ the Ducks, there's so much conflicting info and trade discussion, it's getting tiring. Gibby definitely seems to get hurt more these days but maybe with less serious games, they're just being preventative in making sure anything doesn't threaten to become a more chronic issue.

I'm comfortable re-signing Dosty to a 5-7 year contract at $5-6M (is that reasonable?), AND also keeping Gibby for a 1A/1B setup, especially if we're planning to be in the playoffs next year. They are the obviously the biggest reason we had so many more points, and I expect they'll be relied upon again next year, even if our players continue to take steps forward.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

LOL I mean, I don't know that much about Clang or the other goalie prospects. I honestly have no clue what the true plan is with Gibby. I've known for the past couple of years that Dosty is our goalie of the future and called him out as such previously.

I know that Dosty is an RFA and it would be interesting to see what he'll be signed to, and for how long.

I've heard that Gibby actually really likes it w/ the Ducks, there's so much conflicting info and trade discussion, it's getting tiring. Gibby definitely seems to get hurt more these days but maybe with less serious games, they're just being preventative in making sure anything doesn't threaten to become a more chronic issue.

I'm comfortable re-signing Dosty to a 5-7 year contract at $5-6M (is that reasonable?), AND also keeping Gibby for a 1A/1B setup, especially if we're planning to be in the playoffs next year. They are the obviously the biggest reason we had so many more points, and I expect they'll be relied upon again next year, even if our players continue to take steps forward.

In Verbeek's road interview with Cam & Strick, Verbeek politically stated the goalie situation is a 1A/1B. That should prevent any "Gibson wants out of Anaheim" articles for this summer with the context the Ducks want to make the playoffs next season.

Although, I do have a thought about our goalie situation. We will have too many youths in the AHL/ECHL with Suchanek, Clara, Clang, and Buteyets. Suchanek was out all last season and we don't know what we have in him when he returns. Injuries happen and I don't want to run Dostal down again when Gibby gets hurt. I think we should sign vet Husso to keep in the AHL. His play was revived under us, but in a small sample. Maybe sign him to a one-year deal to continue his rehabilitation back into an NHL goalie under Sudsie's overview?

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Are we so confident that last year was the real deal with Lacombe? Because the extension people are asking for could turn real bad if it wasn't.

Why would we not be confident? Is he going to forget how to play?

 

[DavidBL]

Why would we not be confident? Is he going to forget how to play?

Because it was 1 season. Sometimes guys have great seasons and never replicate the success. Not say that will happen but generally I'd like to see something more than once before I shell out the big bucks. It may cost you a little more on the back end but could save you tons as well. Hence the question of the confidence level. Everyone else appears to be so I guess I'm the minority. That's fine. I'm not going to be upset if they sign him long term this summer.

 

[TheDarkWingThatDucks]

Why would we not be confident? Is he going to forget how to play?

I mean he makes a fair point. I’m confident in him to continue to develop and prove he is that player, also that I’m confident Leo and Cutter will take major steps in 1-2 years (hopefully next year). Signing players early does 2 things, you may be able to get them cheap if they continue to progress, or you have Casey middlestadt making $6 mil on your roster.

Also moritz seider is a stud, but he hasn’t eclipsed his point total in the 3 years since his rookie year. He has been - in +\- every year too. Signed to 8+ mil, is he worth it? Yes! Has he taken major steps towards being above a 40-46 point player ? Not yet.

Now he’s only 23, and never put below 40 pts, LaCombe just put up his first 40+ point season and he’s 24.

Lock him up now and he continues it’s a steal, lock him up now, and he falters it’s a bad contract, lock him up now and production stays relatively the same, it’s a good contract.

I say all this knowing I would lock him up to an extension right now, doesn’t mean it a 100% lock to be the right move.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

I mean he makes a fair point. I’m confident in him to continue to develop and prove he is that player, also that I’m confident Leo and Cutter will take major steps in 1-2 years (hopefully next year). Signing players early does 2 things, you may be able to get them cheap if they continue to progress, or you have Casey middlestadt making $6 mil on your roster.

Also moritz seider is a stud, but he hasn’t eclipsed his point total in the 3 years since his rookie year. He has been - in +\- every year too. Signed to 8+ mil, is he worth it? Yes! Has he taken major steps towards being above a 40-46 point player ? Not yet.

Now he’s only 23, and never put below 40 pts, LaCombe just put up his first 40+ point season and he’s 24.

Lock him up now and he continues it’s a steal, lock him up now, and he falters it’s a bad contract, lock him up now and production stays relatively the same, it’s a good contract.

I say all this knowing I would lock him up to an extension right now, doesn’t mean it a 100% lock to be the right move.

I understand what you guys are saying but it isn't like we are basing this on something that could be subject to variance like points. The underlying numbers are great,he passes the eye test. Is it a risk? Maybe but look at our future cap sheet...we've got to find some potential value. This is someone we can find it with if he's interested.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

You guys realize now that q is here he's going to unleash the offense in both zellweger and myntikov. But q loves his right handed shots. The defense is a big log Jam. We need to make trades happen