GDT: Preseason Game 2 - Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks, 7pm PT. (To Stream or not to Stream)

[JAHV]

Hope Gauthier gets a look at center at some point during this preseason

I'm curious as to why. He seems like he's designed perfectly to sit on the wing of a pass-first center (like Carlsson) and shoot everything, as he did last night. Perhaps from a defensive perspective he'd do well at center, but I think he fits well on Carlsson's wing.

I'm not opposed to a scenario where the Ducks eventually spread the wealth and go with three scoring lines centered by Carlsson, McTavish, and Gauthier, but that would be a lot of weight to put on the shoulders of young centers in one season. If you're going to do that, maybe in a couple seasons, I would put Zegras on Gauthier's left wing to feed him pucks, and you'd want a RW with some size next to them.

I just don't know that it makes sense this season. It wouldn't hurt for a preseason game, but as hyped as this kid is, he's still only played one NHL game.

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

LaCombe is actually the fifth-oldest d man on the roster, lol.

His face makes him look like the oldest and youngest at the same time

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Hope Gauthier gets a look at center at some point during this preseason

Same. He'll need a pass first Winger on his line though like Zegras or Terry.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Did we though? We kinda gave up on him at center pretty early.

I’m fine with it because I think he can be a dynamic winger (Panarin-lite player) in this league if playing with the right players around him though

You're missing the point of the conversation being "who takes the faceoffs", not who plays center.

Z was groomed to be center for four seasons. It's only this year that Z is being made to be a winger outright.

If Carlsson doesn't improve at the dot, are we going to continue giving the puck away? Before drafting Carlsson in 2023, Zegras was being groomed as our 1C, but had difficulty at the dot. That's when Eakins made Rico take the faceoffs instead of Z.

Zegras	NHL	FO Stats
Season	Games	FOW	FOL	total FO	FO%
2020-21	24​	42​	54​	96​	43.8%​
2021-22	75​	217​	327​	544​	39.9%​
2022-23	81​	237​	336​	573​	41.4%​
2023-24	31​	53​	85​	138​	38.4%​

Last year, Carlsson went 34.8% on the dot (195 FOW out of 561 total FO's). First pre-season game last night, Carlsson went 2 for 14 on the dot (12.5% FO%). If Carlsson doesn't improve, then we're gonna have to implement the Rico Rotation again.

 

[Leonardo87]

I feel Cutter is meant to be on Leo’s line. 12 SOG, Leo dangling, could finally have a legit top line.

I like to see more of Z and Mac as well. Not sure how they looked last night. But when they were together last year before Mac got hurt , it was looking really good .

Happy both Mac and Leo scored, and Z got on the scoresheet. We need to start seeing results on the scoresheet and not just grade A chances not finished .

 

[HanSolo]

I don't think Cutter's game is suited for center at this level. Even in college he favored the wings a lot more. I think one of the benefits of playing center was his coaches stressed his working on improving his defense which clearly paid dividends but I see no issue with having a defensively adept winger on the top line if his role is to be a triggerman for Leo or someone else. I think Leo is more naturally suited for the position in the way he plays (outside of the weakness on faceoffs). Of all our young forwards he's the guy who plays the game most like a guy who will be a play driver down the line between his hands, vision, and IQ.

I'm down to try Cutter at center but I'm liking what I'm seeing of the Leo-Cutter duo. Personally I think it's better to foster that potential than experiment interminably.