Is Jackson Lacombe Becoming A #1 Defenseman

[landy]

Googling what team he plays on...be right back.

 

[zegrassyknoll]

Quick question for Ducks fans:

How much influence has Trouba and Gudas had on him?

At this point, Gudas is a negative influence on him if anything.

Although apparently in between this season and last, one of the things LaCombe did to prepare was get "tougher" - took some fighting classes, worked with a therapist, etc. So I'm sure Gudas has an effect there.

 

[LuGBuG]

Zellweger can still be a very productive PMD but he's starting to look like more of a third pair powerplay specialist. He's very good at moving the puck and could be an annual 50 maybe even 60 point guy at his best. But while his defensive effort is there in spades, it would be hard to pretend that his size isn't a limitation. And I don't think he's offensively dynamic enough to be a top pair guy on offense alone. But then again, he's still young and he could follow in the tracks of a guy like Theodore one day. But Theodore didn't have size holding him back defensively and while he's not and never will be a shutdown Dman, he's solid enough for Vegas' defensive system.

I think that is selling his potential too short. He is undersized but built like a brick, skates unbelievable and his effort level is 100% plus thinks the game well. He’s 21 and the guy this thread is about wasn’t even in the NHL at that age. Does he have work to do? No doubt but there is zero doubt in my mind he becomes a very good top 4 dman who quarterbacks the PP wherever he is. If this season should’ve taught us Ducks fans anything it’s patience.

 

[LuGBuG]

At this point, Gudas is a negative influence on him if anything.

Although apparently in between this season and last, one of the things LaCombe did to prepare was get "tougher" - took some fighting classes, worked with a therapist, etc. So I'm sure Gudas has an effect there.

I think negative influence is the wrong choice of words. Could he have a better partner? Yes but for what we see Gudas seems like a great teammate, great professional and is doing all the right things a captain should be doing even if his talent level isn’t at the level for the role he plays on ice.

 

[HanSolo]

I think that is selling his potential too short. He is undersized but built like a brick, skates unbelievable and his effort level is 100% plus thinks the game well. He’s 21 and the guy this thread is about wasn’t even in the NHL at that age. Does he have work to do? No doubt but there is zero doubt in my mind he becomes a very good top 4 dman who quarterbacks the PP wherever he is. If this season should’ve taught us Ducks fans anything it’s patience.

I meant that more for this team. I can understand how I didn't phrase that properly. With how many guys we have with high potential, assuming we even find a way to keep all of them, he might have a more limited role at 5 on 5

 

[Pablo El Perro]

The few Ducks games I've seen this year, he looks like a good top line d-man.

 

[LuGBuG]

I meant that more for this team. I can understand how I didn't phrase that properly. With how many guys we have with high potential, assuming we even find a way to keep all of them, he might have a more limited role at 5 on 5

I’d agree with that. Right now he’d be the one I’d move if we had too for a forward. Scares me to move on from any of them right now though as I would’ve picked Lacombe before this year in a heartbeat to move for a forward.

 

[Daz28]

To be fair no one saw this coming. Not even his biggest supporters. And some fans even made him a bit of a whipping boy for his rookie gaffes.

Are you calling me no one?

• Oct 16, 2023

LaCombe, JD and Minty are probably the most well rounded of them all. Lacombe is showing he may have borderline superstar potential, as most of them all do. I wouldn't trade the D futures of the Ducks for any team in the league. They also have a coach that isn't going to coach their instincts out of them. Agreed, really, really promising future.

Lacombe has superstar potential? I havent heard that before although I heard he is a bonafide NHL talent.

 

[FiveTacos]

Are you calling me no one?

Okay, you saw it coming. But you know what that means ...

You're a witch! Burn!

 

[Mubiki]

Just like Werenski, we get it. When will Canada respect CBJ and ANA!?!?

Seriously though, Napoleon Dynamite has been great, I don’t think anyone saw this high level of play in him.

Maybe only those following all levels of MN hockey. He's been a great player his entire life.

 

[Sean Garrity]

Maybe only those following all levels of MN hockey. He's been a great player his entire life.

No doubt, and he was great in college. I had concerns with him not using his size(not necessarily hitting or the physical aspect) or being assertive while at Minnesota, but now I think that may have been a coaching/system thing and not a Lacombe thing because he does both now. He’s been so freaking good after a ln abbreviated subpar start.

 

[duckpuck]

Do Ducks fans see LaCombe being the defacto #1 ahead of Zelly, Mint, and guys like Luneau?

Was very curious to see how it played out and thought it might be Mintyukov's to lose, but Jackson has been incredible.

I think the short answer is we don't know how Minty and Luneau develop. Last year, Minty looked better than Lacombe (at least in spurts) and seemed to have the higher ceiling. This year Minty has struggled (not unusual for a second year player, particularly with an injury) though he has played better of late. So it is the exact opposite and Lacombe seems to be the better player - not even close.

Luneau - we have no idea about though the organization seems incredibly high on him.

I don't see Zell ever being a number one d-man. His size is going to limit his defensive abilities. Though he certainly seems willing to engage physically, I think he'll be average at best in the d zone as he's always going to face situations where he's overpowered against the opponent's top guys.

Nice problem to have for the ducks as the younger prospects also seem very promising.