Confirmed with Link: Ducks acquire Dmitry Kulikov from the Wild for future considerations

[darkwingduck]

No guarantee that Manson, Des, Rakell, or Lindholm would've resigned here, so those could've been lost players anyways.

But, in addition to the free agents additions, Anaheim now has Vaaks and Helleson, PV did try for Dadanov which would've been a comparable Rakell replacement, and it sounds like he's still active.

 

[Leonardo87]

What I'm hoping for..

Fowler - Klingberg
Kulikov - Drysdale
Benoit - Vaak
Shattenkirk as the 7th D.

But not gonna happen.

Will have two physical D in there to off-set the other D, and one with very good gap control in Vaak.

Kulikov is no Lindholm obviously but he is a clear upgrade from what we had after the TDL, he was also a solid #4 for Minny in the regular season and a very good bottom pairing, according to Minny fans. I'm sure he is going to be hungry to prove himself again.

 

[DavidBL]

I look at it as

Klingberg > Manson
Lindholm > Kulikov
Strome > Getzlaf
Vatrano > Milano

Rakell didn't get a direct replacement but McTavish will be here full time now, and probably starts with his spot on the top 6 wing.

I think that's a bit generous to be honest. I look at as a tier of player
Lindholm>Klingberg(also a better fit given the rest of our D)
Manson>Kulikov similar roles.
Rakell> no one.
Milano < Vatrano
To me it looks like we downgraded 3 out of 4 positions and the most importent 3.

 

[MMC]

I think that's a bit generous to be honest. I look at as a tier of player
Lindholm>Klingberg(also a better fit given the rest of our D)
Manson>Kulikov similar roles.
Rakell> no one.
Milano < Vatrano
To me it looks like we downgraded 3 out of 4 positions and the most importent 3.

It's fair to see it this way, though you're leaving out Strome and Getzlaf

 

[bsu]

I mean Getzlaf was retiring regardless why are we including him in anything?

 

[DavidBL]

It's fair to see it this way, though you're leaving out Strome and Getzlaf

Id's say that's about a wash too. Comparable pts was 48 for Getzlaf to 54 for strome over the same number of games. Considering one played with Terry and one played with Panarin. I'm comfortable saying it was a wash.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

I see Vatrano as replacement for Rakell and I call it a upgrade. Rakell floats and often plays like he doesn't care. Offensively they are very close in value and Vatrano put up his career numbers playing mostly 3rd line roles.

Milano was a depth guy and his depth role will be replaced by any young forward making the roster.

While they don't play the same position, McTavish is replacing Milano top9 role in that this season he'll be a depth guy on 2nd or 3rd line.
McTavish > Milano
Vatrano > Rakell
Strome > Getzlaf
Kulikov vs Manson isn't that pretty close, Isn't Kulikov less mistake prone than Manson ?

 

[AngelDuck]

Rakell is an under appreciated player on here imo. We’ll miss his skill. I’m glad someone else gave him that term though l, I would never have touched that deal in a million years

 

[Paul4587]

Id's say that's about a wash too. Comparable pts was 48 for Getzlaf to 54 for strome over the same number of games. Considering one played with Terry and one played with Panarin. I'm comfortable saying it was a wash.

I would even argue Getzlaf was better last season although that was more due to his really good first 3 months.

Rakell is an under appreciated player on here imo. We’ll miss his skill. I’m glad someone else gave him that term though l, I would never have touched that deal in a million years

It’s addition by subtraction defensively though. When he was on offensively it was great but he was way too inconsistent offensively to justify how bad he was in his own end.

 

[Leonardo87]

It’s addition by subtraction defensively though. When he was on offensively it was great but he was way too inconsistent offensively to justify how bad he was in his own end.

With him and Milano both gone, it’s going to improve things in our own end. D has been an issue, but it’s also been on the forwards and not just the defense with the breakdowns. Strome or Vatrano are no Selke candidates, far from it, but they are more responsible than Rakell and Milano.

I’m kinda hoping Verbeek has another Top 9 addition up his sleeves, who is a very good defensive-minded forward and can pot some goals when needed.

 

[bsu]

If we kept Murray and all the other players Getzlaf was still going to retire so we shouldn't include him or compare the team with him regardless.

 

[duckpuck]

I think that's a bit generous to be honest. I look at as a tier of player
Lindholm>Klingberg(also a better fit given the rest of our D)
Manson>Kulikov similar roles.
Rakell> no one.
Milano < Vatrano
To me it looks like we downgraded 3 out of 4 positions and the most importent 3.

Why would you leave Strome out of this and say Rakell was replaced with no one? Strome is an upgrade to Rakell IMO, but even if you disagree, most would agree they are at worst pretty close in value.

And ignoring McTavish further demonstrates you're really going out of your way to see things negatively.

 

[DavidBL]

Why would you leave Strome out of this and say Rakell was replaced with no one? Strome is an upgrade to Rakell IMO, but even if you disagree, most would agree they are at worst pretty close in value.

And ignoring McTavish further demonstrates you're really going out of your way to see things negatively.

I Actually have a pretty positive outlook for the team. All summer before UFA and the draft I was hoping PV would add significant players. He added solid players but not what I would say are the ideal players. Follow the entire conversation. In Post 99, I questioned MMC opinion that VP added what he called an influx of talent this offseason, something that, from what I can gather, he felt BM never did. PV certainly added players and shook up the roster but is it an Influx of talent? I even stated in that comment that Strome replaced Getzlaf. I did not ignore it at all. I just considered it a wash as I don't think there was a significant upgrade or down grade there. So I spoke to the other major acquisitions and compared them to the players we lost. To me I thought they were lateral and really replaced, at least on D, players who style we need with players, who we didn't really IE Lindholm for Klingberg. Even Kulikov was more known as a offensive player early in his career and transitioned into a more 2 way D man but not of the level of even Manson, IMO.

Simply put, the claim was that we had an influx of talent this summer that BM never did. I questioned the claim citing the amount of talent we lost. Influx would suggest that we have more now then in years past. To me we don't. I actually think the roster last year was more balanced to start the season then what we will have this season, but the progression of the young players that BM drafted is what is going to make us a better team, and yes that include McTavish. I just dont think PV is some mastermind who suddenly completely change the outlook of this teams future.

 

[Paul4587]

With him and Milano both gone, it’s going to improve things in our own end. D has been an issue, but it’s also been on the forwards and not just the defense with the breakdowns. Strome or Vatrano are no Selke candidates, far from it, but they are more responsible than Rakell and Milano.

I’m kinda hoping Verbeek has another Top 9 addition up his sleeves, who is a very good defensive-minded forward and can pot some goals when needed.

I am really hoping for Rodrigues. I think we need a bit more defensive ability in our top 9 and he has shown flashes of skill and production, enough to justify a spot next to scoring players.

Best case he clicks with one of our better offensive players and is a good two way forward who can put up 50 points. Worst case he’s a 20-25 point third liner who is good defensively.

 

[DavidBL]

I am really hoping for Rodrigues. I think we need a bit more defensive ability in our top 9 and he has shown flashes of skill and production, enough to justify a spot next to scoring players.

Best case he clicks with one of our better offensive players and is a good two way forward who can put up 50 points. Worst case he’s a 20-25 point third liner who is good defensively.

Career best 43 pts at 29 years old and were hoping for 50? I think your worst case is the most likely scenario. Unless the team is completely done with MC or Silf I just don't see the fit.

 

[tomd]

Career best 43 pts at 29 years old and were hoping for 50? I think your worst case is the most likely scenario. Unless the team is completely done with MC or Silf I just don't see the fit.

If I were a GM I'd be worried I'm getting the 2nd half version of Rodriguez and not the 1st half version. Probably worried enough that I'd pass.

 

[Paul4587]

Career best 43 pts at 29 years old and were hoping for 50? I think your worst case is the most likely scenario. Unless the team is completely done with MC or Silf I just don't see the fit.

Not hoping for it but if everything goes right it’s possible. I did say it was best case. But the worst case is still a good outcome.

 

[DavidBL]

Not hoping for it but if everything goes right it’s possible. I did say it was best case. But the worst case is still a good outcome.

I mean, is it though? Just seems like he's taking away opportunities from MC.

 

[Paul4587]

I mean, is it though? Just seems like he's taking away opportunities from MC.

If Comtois can’t win a top 9 spot over what we currently have (plus a potential add in Rodrigues) then doesn’t deserve to get that opportunity. Competition is healthy, if Comtois wants a top 9 spot he better play well enough to justify getting one.

 

[DavidBL]

If Comtois can’t win a top 9 spot over what we currently have (plus a potential add in Rodrigues) then doesn’t deserve to get that opportunity. Competition is healthy, if Comtois wants a top 9 spot he better play well enough to justify getting one.

I dont buy it. This kid was our leading scorer 2 years ago. He's already 9th on the depth chart because of last year. Adding another player like Rod just shouts at the kid that we don't have any faith in him. Imo we already have the competition for MC in Vatrano. Not to mention McTavish who could start at wing.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Whats this i hear about Rodriguez? Are we really getting him?

I am really hoping for Rodrigues. I think we need a bit more defensive ability in our top 9 and he has shown flashes of skill and production, enough to justify a spot next to scoring players.

Best case he clicks with one of our better offensive players and is a good two way forward who can put up 50 points. Worst case he’s a 20-25 point third liner who is good defensively.

I expect a major season from Lundstrom..

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

I dont buy it. This kid was our leading scorer 2 years ago. He's already 9th on the depth chart because of last year. Adding another player like Rod just shouts at the kid that we don't have any faith in him. Imo we already have the competition for MC in Vatrano. Not to mention McTavish who could start at wing.

It's not really taking away opportunities from Max, though. He's had opportunities. There's nothing stopping him from outplaying someone in the top 9. That player from 2 years ago could pull that off, and that'd be better for everyone. Except Rodrigues I guess.

 

[DavidBL]

It's not really taking away opportunities from Max, though. He's had opportunities. There's nothing stopping him from outplaying someone in the top 9. That player from 2 years ago could pull that off, and that'd be better for everyone. Except Rodrigues I guess.

He can and honestly he should. Just seems like an unnecessary crowding of the top 9 for a player who most likely best suited for a 3rd line role rather than higher in the lineup.

 

[anezthes]

Used to be a fan of Kulikov. Haven't paid much attention the last few years. Crazy he's already 31.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

I dont buy it. This kid was our leading scorer 2 years ago. He's already 9th on the depth chart because of last year. Adding another player like Rod just shouts at the kid that we don't have any faith in him. Imo we already have the competition for MC in Vatrano. Not to mention McTavish who could start at wing.

I've been saying it for two years now; that version of Comtois is likely to never repeat itself. I don't see why people are continuing to look into that season and think he can replicate it. He just seemed so lazy this past season.