Post-Game Talk: Game 31: Anaheim Ducks @Detroit Red Wings, 4pm PT, BSSC (Ducks beat the Red Wings and the Refs 4-3)

[Ducks DVM]

I get what you’re saying, but 8 points out and 7 teams above us for the last wildcard spot is actually a huge issue.

To get to 95 points of last years wildcard they will have to get 70% of the remaining points. Only 4 teams this year have gotten 70% of their points so far. No chance this Ducks team plays the next 51 games as a top 4 team in the NHL.

They basically have no chance of making the playoffs. Not saying they should tank, but let’s not act like those 8 points is no big deal.

Oh, I don’t expect playoffs. But this isn’t a they’re so much worse than everyone that we should be flailing our arms and running around like muppets, either. I think somewhere in the 80’s is doable With a healthy roster, and that’d be great for the kids IMO.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Yeah, I think we’ve tanked enough. I’d like to see some fairly competitive hockey the rest of the season. I do want Henrique and Silfver traded in early 2024 though. I’m good with short term extensions for Carrick and Lybush.

I think Lybushkin will be traded for depth to somewhere at the trade deadline for a pick. I think they be idiots to not re-sign Carrick, there’s nobody remotely like him on the system.

 

[McDonald19]

I think Lybushkin will be traded for depth to somewhere at the trade deadline for a pick. I think they be idiots to not re-sign Carrick, there’s nobody remotely like him on the system.

Probably, but I’m hoping for a 1 year extension because he is a physical RHD and a mentor for Minty.

 

[ohcomeonref]

The team needs to win games even if that means they end up finishing 6th last instead of bottom of the barrel. The young guys need to learn what it takes to win, that requires winning.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

The team needs to win games even if that means they end up finishing 6th last instead of bottom of the barrel. The young guys need to learn what it takes to win, that requires winning.

I agree. Right now they're expending a lot of effort and getting close to zero results. It's all too easy to learn the why try? lesson.

 

[All Mighty]

Probably, but I’m hoping for a 1 year extension because he is a physical RHD and a mentor for Minty.

I don't mind it, but that also would likely block Luneau from being on the team next year (barring injury). Some might be ok with that so he can play in the AHL, but some might not be.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Probably, but I’m hoping for a 1 year extension because he is a physical RHD and a mentor for Minty.

Lyubushkin's been good for us and definitely an upgrade from last year's blueline personnel specials. He leads the team in blocked shots with 77 blocks, Gudas is next with 61 blocks and LaCombe at 52 blocks. On last night's telecast, I think Hazy commented that Lyubushkin communicating with Minty in Russian is a great factor in helping Minty acclimate to the NHL game. It's similar to putting Lundy with Silf on the same line.

I'd like to keep Lyubushkin, but Verbeek really wants specific youths on the NHL club next season. Lyubushkin is a placeholder for Luneau. That's the whole point of keeping Luneau all this while with the NHL club than sending him back to juniors to start the season. And if Verbeek is intending to move Lyubushkin at the TDL, then we might be keeping Luneau with the NHL club after the WJC.

Verbeek did trade a 4th round pick to acquire Lyubushkin from the Sabres. I don't know if he's willing to eat that loss to not move Lyubushkin at the TDL. And with the way Lyubushkin has been playing this year, he would be a great add to any playoff team needed a stay-at-home RD who can PK and block shots. That would probably mean the return is going to be better than a 4th round pick.

 

[Gliff]

Oh, I don’t expect playoffs. But this isn’t a they’re so much worse than everyone that we should be flailing our arms and running around like muppets, either. I think somewhere in the 80’s is doable With a healthy roster, and that’d be great for the kids IMO.

Then it’s more like realism then Nihilism.

 

[JAHV]

I think Lybushkin will be traded for depth to somewhere at the trade deadline for a pick. I think they be idiots to not re-sign Carrick, there’s nobody remotely like him on the system.

Is Gaucher not supposed to be a more skilled version of Carrick? Or is he missing too much of the physicality?

 

[Ducks DVM]

Then it’s more like realism then Nihilism.

I wasn’t meaning you with that. I was responding to “time to tank and sell off Zegras” guy.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Is Gaucher not supposed to be a more skilled version of Carrick? Or is he missing too much of the physicality?

He doesn’t have the mean streak that Carrick has from what I’ve seen. I’m also not sure he will be NHL ready by next year from the games I;ve seen, granted it’s been several weeks since I’ve watched them. Also not sure he brings the fighting ability.

I also think Carrick has a scoring touch that makes him valuable on the 4th line even if Gaucher makes the team.

 

[JAHV]

He doesn’t have the mean streak that Carrick has from what I’ve seen. I’m also not sure he will be NHL ready by next year from the games I;ve seen, granted it’s been several weeks since I’ve watched them. Also not sure he brings the fighting ability.

I also think Carrick has a scoring touch that makes him valuable on the 4th line even if Gaucher makes the team.

I am not at all concerned about fighting ability, but it is nice to have a few guys who can play a hard forechecking game. I was hoping Gaucher might be that, but I think you're right that he'll probably need another year at least.

I'm fine bringing Carrick back for one more season. They could also go the Grant route: trade him to a playoff team at the deadline and then re-sign him in the offseason.

 

[Ducks DVM]

I am not at all concerned about fighting ability, but it is nice to have a few guys who can play a hard forechecking game. I was hoping Gaucher might be that, but I think you're right that he'll probably need another year at least.

I'm fine bringing Carrick back for one more season. They could also go the Grant route: trade him to a playoff team at the deadline and then re-sign him in the offseason.

I don’t think that Gaucher needs to fight. I just think that SOMEONE on the roster needs the ability, and Carrick is willing and able. That’s still needed.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Lyubushkin's been good for us and definitely an upgrade from last year's blueline personnel specials. He leads the team in blocked shots with 77 blocks, Gudas is next with 61 blocks and LaCombe at 52 blocks. On last night's telecast, I think Hazy commented that Lyubushkin communicating with Minty in Russian is a great factor in helping Minty acclimate to the NHL game. It's similar to putting Lundy with Silf on the same line.

I'd swear I read somewhere (or was it a Minty interview with Aly?) that they speak English on the ice because that's what the rest of the team speaks. But I agree that I think the Russian connection between them is beneficial to Minty's development.

 

[ADHB]

I'd swear I read somewhere (or was it a Minty interview with Aly?) that they speak English on the ice because that's what the rest of the team speaks. But I agree that I think the Russian connection between them is beneficial to Minty's development.

Yes, they said that they speak English on the ice, but in Russian to each other on the bench.

 

[Frosted Tips]

Good two periods and finally the pucks are going in. Third with tired legs from back-to-back and killing penalties really just made it a battle of survival in the end. Dostal scoring would've been neat though. Otherwise, couldn't have asked for more. Really hoping they can build off of how this road trip ended.

 

[TheGoodShepard1]

This place is so much more pleasant when the team wins. Let’s keep doing that.

Before I go, I will leave it here that Radko Gudas has as many goals as Alex Ovechkin this year (5)

 

[Sean Garrity]

I'd swear I read somewhere (or was it a Minty interview with Aly?) that they speak English on the ice because that's what the rest of the team speaks. But I agree that I think the Russian connection between them is beneficial to Minty's development.

Yes, they said that they speak English on the ice, but in Russian to each other on the bench.

They also have commented how Bush will have him over for dinner and things like that. Little things like that can be instrumental for a 20 year old kid adjusting to the NHL. I’m all for bringing him back for next season and I see no reason why he can’t be the 7th defenseman. Fowler, Minty, Gudas, Lacombe, Drysdale, Luneau and Lybushkin. That’s still a really, really young defense core and Bush doesn’t necessarily block Zellweger.

 

[91Fedorov]

I think Bush has shown enough that he deserves more than a 1 year deal or a 7th D assignment. I'd love to have him for insurance and, I really like having him here this year. But I don't think the Ducks will be the best fit for his situation next year.

 

[Sean Garrity]

I think Bush has shown enough that he deserves more than a 1 year deal or a 7th D assignment. I'd love to have him for insurance and, I really like having him here this year. But I don't think the Ducks will be the best fit for his situation next year.

While I agree, I don’t think it’s necessarily smart for the Ducks to give him that, maybe two years. He’ll quickly have Drysdale, Gudas, and likely Luneau ahead of him on this team.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I think Bush has shown enough that he deserves more than a 1 year deal or a 7th D assignment. I'd love to have him for insurance and, I really like having him here this year. But I don't think the Ducks will be the best fit for his situation next year.

Really tough to say, I think next season is the start of an over packed defense.

Fowler gudas
Mintyukov drysdale
Lacombe Vaaks
Are basically locks

Then you have guys like
Luneau- already has nhl time, and didn’t look bad, but I think you could argue he could use some time in AHL to work on defense.
Zellweger- prob going to be tough to hold back
Helleson- I think he already somewhat deserves to get a look post deadline
Hinds - little more of a project but I imagine he’s at least close to getting a look

Then there’s a guy like Ian Moore…. He’ll be 22 year old coming out of college, personally I think he’ll benefit from AHL time… but he could also walk to ufa if we don’t give him a trial

So it’s kinda tough to “sign” or bring in a vet…. Unless we shuffle some dmen out…. There is a chance moore walks regardless but that still leaves a packed house on back end.

 

[Arthuros]

I missed most of these 2 games and basically only saw moments where we looked bad.

Did we look decent? Were we lucky or convincing?

 

[ducks8]

I missed most of these 2 games and basically only saw moments where we looked bad.

Did we look decent? Were we lucky or convincing?

I thought they had more good moments then bad against NJ and in Detroit, they looked good all things considered, until they ran out of gas

 

[snowave]

Most obvious improvement to me over those two games was passing. Much better than it's been since that first part of the season.