If we’re going to trade Zellweger we should while he has the most value. Question is that now or does he really start to explode in the AHL. Tough call on that.
Player Discussion Jackson LaCombe
- Thread starter Mr Rogers
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Emerald Duck
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Teams always need responsible two-way dman who can munch minutes in 5v5 situations or play reliably on the PK. Other veterans could be moved instead in the next season or two if Lacombe continues to develop his game.
As time goes on I think Zell vs Luneau will become our new Theodore vs Montour debates.
So you're saying we'll eventually end up with neither one, having gotten nothing useful from trading them away? That's depressing.
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The obvious move is to get rid of fowler…. He can’t live off the “vet presence” forever…. Mintyukov and lacombe already look more seasoned than him, and while he’s playing mins now eventually Mintyukov drysdale and lacombe start taking those mins from him.
Fowler’s fine this year, because you don’t want to put too much pressure on Mintyukov/lacombe/drysdale etc. but he’s going to have luneau, zellweger, hinds and potentially moore fighting for spots next year. And guys like minty drysdale and Lacombe will start to become those vets.
Hockey Duckie
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The early success of both Mintyukov and LaCombe is skewing our thoughts on the rest of our D-prospects to be just as productive and NHL-ready made. Don't understand the impatience instead of letting things develop.
I like having depth. I like having talented depth even more. Zellweger started his 3-year ELC this season. We can let him develop in the AHL without the need to rush him.
Fowler and Gudas' contract end in three years. We're going to need to replace those talents. Why would we get rid of Zellweger when we have the opportunity to let him stew in the AHL for awhile. Since Zell isn't tearing up the AHL, then it's safe to say the NHL jump is going to be more difficult for Zell. It's difficult for Luneau to play in the NHL this season. Zell can learn how to use his size against AHL pros for the next couple of seasons or more if need be.
All Mighty
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I think the earliest time to trade him would be next offseason. And it would only be in a package for a young top 6 forward or legit forward prospect.
EDIT: Maybe as soon as the trade deadline, but only if there is a cost-controlled forward available.
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robbieboy3686
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You see how we’ve treated luneau, he has the size that our Gm loves, to boot. He’s our man going forward imho
Hard agree, Zellwegger isn’t being traded for draft picks.
One advantage of the current situation (i.e., a surplus of NHL ready d-men) is that there is no reason to rush Zell, Luneau, Hinds and Warren. I agree with the above posts that we should not trade any assets unless the return is a top winger. A player like Kent Johnson (who is on the outs in Columbus) or perhaps another similar player.
Emerald Duck
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I think the blame for how that situation worked out rests with GMBM
Our organization is blessed now with an abundance of dmen talent. Our forward talent pool in juniors and AHL is almost cursed by a lack of talent. At some point PV is going to need to part with some young dmen to acquire some young forwards.
Don't know when or who will be the odd guy out on the blueline with future development timelines, but trade(s) have to happen at some point.
I think the blame for how that situation worked out rests with GMBM
Our organization is blessed now with an abundance of dmen talent. Our forward talent pool in juniors and AHL is almost cursed by a lack of talent. At some point PV is going to need to part with some young dmen to acquire some young forwards.
Don't know when or who will be the odd guy out on the blueline with future development timelines, but trade(s) have to happen at some point.
I agree. I have the feeling that one of Drysdale and Zellweger are going to be used in a trade like that at some point, perhaps next offseason. The system is so barren of high level wingers, it's going to have to be an addition from outside the organization.
Reveille1984
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There's virtually no chance that all of these dmen make the roster and end up playing long-term with the Ducks anyways, even if they all end up being serviceable NHL players.
With the emergence of a lot of guys this year, we'll likely have Drysdale/Minty/LaCombe as a good core for the foreseeable future (barring the health/development of Drysdale obviously). Fowler and Gudas have three years including 23/24 as well. That leaves basically one, maybe two roster spots open for Warren/Hinds/Luneau/Zellweger/Helleson/whatever other guys we draft in the coming years.
That doesn't mean there needs to be a rush to move anybody, especially since we're likely to be a fringe playoff team at best the next couple years. We have the time to let things cook a bit. But it's going to become a simple numbers game at some point. A trade for a wing seems inevitable given how much cash we're going to need to throw at our guys in a few years and how mediocre our forward depth is.
With the emergence of a lot of guys this year, we'll likely have Drysdale/Minty/LaCombe as a good core for the foreseeable future (barring the health/development of Drysdale obviously). Fowler and Gudas have three years including 23/24 as well. That leaves basically one, maybe two roster spots open for Warren/Hinds/Luneau/Zellweger/Helleson/whatever other guys we draft in the coming years.
That doesn't mean there needs to be a rush to move anybody, especially since we're likely to be a fringe playoff team at best the next couple years. We have the time to let things cook a bit. But it's going to become a simple numbers game at some point. A trade for a wing seems inevitable given how much cash we're going to need to throw at our guys in a few years and how mediocre our forward depth is.
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Anaheim4ever
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as long as he's willing to do the vote for pavel dance at the awards show when they hand the award to Pavel.
Fowler-Drysdale-Zellweger all on the same blue line long term I don't think is realistic, yeah. Will see... Drysdale is not playing anyway, which is super concerning.
LaCombe already logging 3:25 a night on PK, being able to play top pair minutes, being able to play either side... I see our management very interested in keeping him longterm. He brings very important attributes.
TopShelfWaterBottle
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What are the odds Drysdale injury is knee related… I would think they would’ve said something by now but are usually quiet when it’s knee related? Idk just pondering
KaseMeOutside
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If you graded him like an NFL player his grade would be pretty good, there's a couple miscues per game but for his experience level it's overall a pretty solid positive contribution to the team especially when you compare to what we had last year. Adding him, Minty, Gudas, and Lybushkin vs what we had at this time last year...big difference
robbieboy3686
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First time I've seen a player look much better away from Fowler.
There's been talk about him playing on the right side not being an issue, but I'm not buying it. At least not on the top pairing against other teams' best players.
He's probably our best option in that spot with Drysdale out and the other two pairings humming along, but I don't think it's optimal for him or the team this early in his professional career.
There's been talk about him playing on the right side not being an issue, but I'm not buying it. At least not on the top pairing against other teams' best players.
He's probably our best option in that spot with Drysdale out and the other two pairings humming along, but I don't think it's optimal for him or the team this early in his professional career.
Yeah, ideally he'd be put with Gudas. I felt they worked well. But the other option currently is... Luneau
Hockey Duckie
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In a recent interview, forgot where I read it or heard it, but LaCombe said he was more comfortable on the right side b/c he played all four years in college at RD. Playing RD isn't the big issue, but playing top minutes as a rookie with Fowler are two possible issues.
Right now, it's optimal for the Ducks to have LaCombe on the top line b/c Luneau and Vaaks on the top line are not better options. Gudas might get worn down too fast playing top pairing minutes. Lyubushkin has been a great complement to Minchy and wouldn't want to mess that chemistry. I think it's a great opportunity and experience for LaCombe playing top minutes.
I guess I'm not seeing LaCombe struggling to where it affects his game all game. Sure, there are mistakes made, but he's still out there not being affected by it and it also shows while playing on the PK.
Hockey Duckie
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LaCombe is 3rd on the team in blocked shots, behind Gudas (142) and Lyubushkin (138). As for hits, he doesn't hit much with 47 registered hits, ranking him 15th on the team.
Cronin said that LaCombe has been one of the players that has improve the most. I decided to do some splits.
LaCombe has improved his +/- throughout the season. His roughest segment was when he was first promoted to the top line with Fowler.
I think LaCombe could have more blocked shots if he played more on the PK, which he was taken off the PK at times in the latter 20 games or so.
The only time LaCombe played PP QB1, he earned 2 assists! Then Zell got called up and Minty returned from injury.
Cronin said that LaCombe has been one of the players that has improve the most. I decided to do some splits.
| LaCombe | 2022-23 | Splits | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Set | G | A | Pts | +/- | Hit | Blocks | Playing | ||
| 1 to 65 | 1 | 13 | 14 | -25 | 47 | 117 | . | ||
| 1 to 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10 | Pair 2 | ||
| 7 to 20 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -17 | 15 | 18 | Pair 1 | ||
| 21 to 40 | 0 | 4 | 4 | -7 | 14 | 41 | Pair 1 to 3 | ||
| 41 to 60 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -2 | 13 | 43 | Pair 1 to 3 | ||
| 61 to 65 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | Pair 1 to 2 |
LaCombe has improved his +/- throughout the season. His roughest segment was when he was first promoted to the top line with Fowler.
I think LaCombe could have more blocked shots if he played more on the PK, which he was taken off the PK at times in the latter 20 games or so.
The only time LaCombe played PP QB1, he earned 2 assists! Then Zell got called up and Minty returned from injury.
Interesting to see the +/- splits. I kind of thought it would be like this but not this much of a difference tbh.
He's a good defenseman, imo. Sometimes playing well over 20 mins of steady hockey. I like his willingness to jump up on the play. With a better team that aspect should become even more dangerous weapon for this team.
He's really impressed me of late. Going down to the net area sniffing around for loose goals and carrying the puck around. Isn't afraid to jump in and has been fairly responsible on his own zone. I dare say he might be the best prospect out of all the young d men the Ducks have at the club level right now, at least playing wise. Minty while showing flashes, hasn't shown me very much in terms of 2 way game we all thought he possessed and he's also not too strong on his feet, but that'll come as he grows into his body. Olen has been fine, but his size limitations sometimes hinder him on his own zone. Small sample size, but Jackson has taken a huge leap this season in comparison to the other young dmen. He has the size and skill to be a dominant 2 way dman. Anyone else seeing what I'm seeing or am I wrong?
