The Official 2023-2024 Anaheim Ducks Thread

[gotbeer]

47 minutes ago, arch stanton said:

You got Ben Meyers for a 5th rounder. He was the prize college FA a couple years ago. Decent skater who can play C. Bottom 6 guy to replace Carrick

It's probably more for the Gulls than the Ducks.  I heard they skated 17 last game, after the Ducks raided the team.

[gotbeer]

I'd be surprised if one of Vakannainen or Lacombe isn't traded by the deadline in a hockey trade for a RD or winger.  We just have too many LD's with Fowler, Minty, and Zell.  

[deepdrive]

A couple last minute additions. One looks like it means something (We gave up a 5th round pick). The other is just filler.

[gotbeer]

Will not blame Gibswim for the first one.  Fast and furious start for the Stars.  But it seems to have calmed down a bit.  

[gotbeer]

Well, someone grabbled #39 real quick after Carrick got traded, and it's so distracting.  lol.  

[gotbeer]

And just like that, Gibswim gives up 3 in the first.

[deepdrive]

So, Verbeek says he's going to improve our bottom 6 forwards. Carrick and Silfverberg are gone. I wonder where Jones and Leason stand. Thompson could be upgraded at some point. But I don't see it happening for next year.

[gotbeer]

Well, hopefully with Rico gone.  Strome realizes with his speed.  Taking the Rico bump and tip position is going to make him much more useful.

[gotbeer]

6 minutes ago, deepdrive said:

So, Verbeek says he's going to improve our bottom 6 forwards. Carrick and Silfverberg are gone. I wonder where Jones and Leason stand. Thompson could be upgraded at some point. But I don't see it happening for next year.

Z/Leo/Cutter

Terry/McT/Vatrano

Strome/KilltheDucks/Lundestrom

Jones looks like he has earned a spot.  Unless they trade Vatrano, Z, Strome, Lundestrom, or KilltheDucks.  Really lines 1-3 are filled up.  You got guys like Groux, Meyers, Leason, Regenda, McLaughlin who I think are all not waiver exempt anymore.  

[gotbeer]

Too bad Gibswim doesn't get the rope like Dostal would.  Then again, it's ok for your backup goalie to take a beating.

[deepdrive]

25 minutes ago, gotbeer said:

Z/Leo/Cutter

Terry/McT/Vatrano

Strome/KilltheDucks/Lundestrom

Jones looks like he has earned a spot.  Unless they trade Vatrano, Z, Strome, Lundestrom, or KilltheDucks.  Really lines 1-3 are filled up.  You got guys like Groux, Meyers, Leason, Regenda, McLaughlin who I think are all not waiver exempt anymore.  

He said he's looking at FA or trades to upgrade. So, that adds even more bodies. Some have to go.

[gotbeer]

2 minutes ago, deepdrive said:

He said he's looking at FA or trades to upgrade. So, that adds even more bodies. Some have to go.

Which makes no sense.  He put us in the KilltheDucks and Strome mess.  Those two are pretty untradable without taking a pretty big hit.  That leaves Vatrano and Z.  For the price, I don't know if you can do better than Vatrano.  Unless he wants too much to extend, then he's a trade candidate at the deadline.  Z, would be stupid and a fire moment if he traded him.  Lundestrom for the price is a pretty good 3rd liner, and can fill in above.  Jones could take the enforcer role and is fine as a 4th liner.  

[gotbeer]

25 minutes ago, deepdrive said:

He said he's looking at FA or trades to upgrade. So, that adds even more bodies. Some have to go.

Another thing I thought of, which may be a possibility.  Is moving Jones/KilltheDucks/Strome to 4th line.  And finding someone to help with Lundestrom.  Even though I would like to see what Regenda and Nesterenko could do.  They both looked good last season.

[gotbeer]

@deepdrive  Was looking at the Gulls stats.  Ok, who is Tomas Suchanek?  20 games for the Gulls.  12-4-3.  2.53 GAA.  0.921 Save %.  20 YO.  6'2", 169 Lbs.  Another Czech like Dostal.  Looks like he was undrafted.  Not sure if he even has a contract, as he's not listed as a non roster player.   

[deepdrive]

12 hours ago, gotbeer said:

@deepdrive  Was looking at the Gulls stats.  Ok, who is Tomas Suchanek?  20 games for the Gulls.  12-4-3.  2.53 GAA.  0.921 Save %.  20 YO.  6'2", 169 Lbs.  Another Czech like Dostal.  Looks like he was undrafted.  Not sure if he even has a contract, as he's not listed as a non roster player.   

I've read that they are surprisingly happy with him so far. i think they expected Clang to take over and be what Suchanek has been. I don't think they project him as a NHL starter. But, maybe potentially a backup?

[deepdrive]

12 hours ago, gotbeer said:

Another thing I thought of, which may be a possibility.  Is moving Jones/KilltheDucks/Strome to 4th line.  And finding someone to help with Lundestrom.  Even though I would like to see what Regenda and Nesterenko could do.  They both looked good last season.

Talk about your firing moment, that would be Cronin putting $10M of his GM's signings on the 4th line. I don't think we're going to see that.

Besides, Killorn and Strome aren't really a problem. Killorn is (still) a good player and Strome can be serviceable if sheltered properly. I know they're not worth what we're paying them. But, they are not close to the offensive holes Silfverburg, Leason, Jones, Johnston. and Grouix are. My bet is all the replacing involves removing from those five.

Oh, I think you can probably add Meyer to that list. but I think he gets a 20 game evaluation first.

We do have 5 open forward spots, right? Three on the fourth and two healthy scratch positions. Still room for some slugs.

[gotbeer]

2 hours ago, deepdrive said:

I've read that they are surprisingly happy with him so far. i think they expected Clang to take over and be what Suchanek has been. I don't think they project him as a NHL starter. But, maybe potentially a backup?

He's only 20, so take the Dostal slow route.  Gibswim will be gone in 0-2 years anyways.  He's off to a good start in the AHL at least.  And we don't need him right away.  Let him get more and more starts down there, and after Dostal takes full control, he might be ready for the backup position.  And if he continues to be good, it's a good problem to have.

[gotbeer]

2 hours ago, deepdrive said:

Talk about your firing moment, that would be Cronin putting $10M of his GM's signings on the 4th line. I don't think we're going to see that.

Besides, Killorn and Strome aren't really a problem. Killorn is (still) a good player and Strome can be serviceable if sheltered properly. I know they're not worth what we're paying them. But, they are not close to the offensive holes Silfverburg, Leason, Jones, Johnston. and Grouix are. My bet is all the replacing involves removing from those five.

Oh, I think you can probably add Meyer to that list. but I think he gets a 20 game evaluation first.

We do have 5 open forward spots, right? Three on the fourth and two healthy scratch positions. Still room for some slugs.

Groux so far hasn't impressed me.  I know he does well in the AHL.  But he seems way too out of control.  Jones has his uses.  He has stone hands.  But not as bad as Stonehands.  Might even be par with Strome.  He is definitely faster and more physical than strome though.  If he would just go to the net more, he'd be a great Maroon type pest.  Leason has moments. He's probably destined for the 4th line.  Jones is kind of the same way.  He has all the other skills but the hands, and that's tough to put in lines 1-3.  The only reason to leave Johnston in is he's really the only enforcer left.  Carrick was kind of our only one.  You don't want Gudas to fight, since he's useful.  Especially with so many skilled young guys, if someone takes liberties, you need the answer quick.  

Any of the young Gulls an enforcer?

[deepdrive]

26 minutes ago, gotbeer said:

Groux so far hasn't impressed me.  I know he does well in the AHL.  But he seems way too out of control.  Jones has his uses.  He has stone hands.  But not as bad as Stonehands.  Might even be par with Strome.  He is definitely faster and more physical than strome though.  If he would just go to the net more, he'd be a great Maroon type pest.  Leason has moments. He's probably destined for the 4th line.  Jones is kind of the same way.  He has all the other skills but the hands, and that's tough to put in lines 1-3.  The only reason to leave Johnston in is he's really the only enforcer left.  Carrick was kind of our only one.  You don't want Gudas to fight, since he's useful.  Especially with so many skilled young guys, if someone takes liberties, you need the answer quick.  

Any of the young Gulls an enforcer?

No one on the Gulls.

You're right on all the points you made. Which is why those are the guys presently on the Ducks. But, they're common weakness is in their state they don't score enough. Leason and Jones seem to be getting a pass for now because of the points you made and what appears to be some room for growth. Johnston stays unless we acquire an upgrade. Silfverberg is as good as gone. Grouix... what does he really offer?

[gotbeer]

Lol.  Was late to turning the game on.  Typical Ducks hockey.  3 goals given up.  1 PP Goal, 1 off a lazy turnover in the zone, 1 off a 2 on 1 breakaway.  

[gotbeer]

Verbeek Recaps Ducks Trade Deadline Moves

The last two players comments were interesting.  While he didn't come out and say it.  That's the first time I've heard beeker say in a nutshell that Z is in the plans.  And the last one about Vatrano is also interesting that he isn't looking to trade players, it's other teams approaching him about players.  Which is probably why the Z rumors are so out there.  Teams are inquiring about him, doesn't mean Beeker is looking to trade him.

Quote

On Trevor Zegras
Zegras is hurt and it's a situation there that everybody's speculating on. We want Z to play with us. Hopefully he can get through this injury pretty quick and we can get him back on the ice.

On Frank Vatrano
I'm never shopping our players. Wayne Gretzky got traded, so I mean, obviously, there's a possibility that anybody can get traded, but it's my job to listen and that's what I'm doing. 

Frankie's going to be a 35-goal scorer. They just don't drop off a tree, you know what I mean? So we like Frank, we like what he brings inside the locker room. We like his work ethic. We like how he shoots the puck in the net. We like his contract. There's just so much to like about him and so, unless you're going to blow my doors off, why would I do that?

 

[gotbeer]

Well, that's not a good start to the 3rd period.  I think I could have scored on that one.  

[gotbeer]

And another breakaway.  

[deepdrive]

Dostal not having one of his better games.

[deepdrive]

15 minutes ago, gotbeer said:

Verbeek Recaps Ducks Trade Deadline Moves

The last two players comments were interesting.  While he didn't come out and say it.  That's the first time I've heard beeker say in a nutshell that Z is in the plans.  And the last one about Vatrano is also interesting that he isn't looking to trade players, it's other teams approaching him about players.  Which is probably why the Z rumors are so out there.  Teams are inquiring about him, doesn't mean Beeker is looking to trade him.

 

Yeah, they just needed something to write about.

I hope they can get Vatrano to sign for another 3-4 years.