deepdrive

Toronto scored a goal by Lindholm's leg diverting a pass into the goal. Once a Duck, always a Duck.

Oops, wrong thread.

I agree. What I posted before wasn't meant to imply the Ducks want to trade Z. I was just making the case that if they need a piece to make a trade, he could be the guy who has the least reason to be unavailable. But, maybe not. I don't have access to Verbeek's mind. I'd like to think they keep him. We'll see.

There's options. I don't think anything big happens (if what happens is going to be big) until we see whether we get a goal scorer or a RHD with our first pick.

Use the concept of negative painting and it becomes a little clearer why Z is the trade speculation. Instead of looking at who might be moved, look at who won't be moved. Leo and McTavish seem to make the coaches and Verbeek happy. They bring skill and character to the team that I don't think Verbeek wants to lose. Unless it's a trade he wins big in, I don't think he would move them. Terry didn't have a good year. But as the team grows in experience, I think it will suit his style more. Also, he's always been a little slow on the development curve, but steady at improving. I think the guy will continue to get better. Doesn't seem to be physically damaged, only 7M a year (if he's grows to be a 35-40 goal scorer), already locked up for multiple years, good character and work ethic/approach. I just can't see a reason to move him. Kind of Silfverberg in the sense that there's always someone else to focus on dealing with trade wise. Vatrano is not going to be traded unless he can't be extended. The guy brings an energy to the team that it needs and Verbeek caveats. Probably why Zellweger is the smaller defender we kept. The team just is more alive when he's on the ice. Cutter and our first pick are Verbeek choices. Until they play themselves out of favor, they're not going anywhere. Killorn was brought in for character. He was overpaid for the same reason. He's a quality player when he's healthy. His contract is probably not movable until the last year. I don't see him going anywhere. Strome is probably the same situation less the talent. So there you go. That leaves Z. He has potential talent and is a draw. Not what would keep him here, but might make him desirable to another org. The fact that he has a sense that he's worth more than he presently is, only adds to this. I don't think Verbeek wants to trade him. But i do think he has less holding him back from making a deal that would give the team more experience in a equally talented player (By equally talented, I mean would fit in to give the Ducks as much on the balance.)

Pretty much how I see it too. Just not sold on the upside of Celebrini. But then, I don't have much to go on.

Earlier today, I saw the video clip of Strome's breakaway (no goal) he had at the end of the season. Just now, saw the breakaway by Matthews (goal). Nothing to say.

I think the Ducks set a precedent. This is totally doable.

Wouldn't have thought this would be too difficult to achieve. But, now....

Saw the Nashville/Vancouver game. I hope those two enjoy themselves in their limited run. Whoever comes out on top in the West is in for a very difficult time against what's going to emerge from the Central.

I agree with her. That would be a pretty good name. I don't see the reason behind the other two (Venom, Blizzard). Maybe someone (as in the owner) thought they sounded cool ?

Yeah, they looked like typical Toronto teams of the past. They have players, some very good. But they don't have a team that can compete at a playoff level. They just keep trying to succeed in the playoffs with the same basic personnel makeup and it's not going to happen.

Winner, winner chicken dinner ? Or, still too early to call ?

No, I wouldn't trade a top 5 pick. Next years pick, because of the wide spectrum of outcomes, would also be off the table. In a couple years, we should have some prospects (or guys prospects are taking the place of) that could be traded for needs or future picks. That's the way I would go. Vegas has shown how much undervalued talent is out there and available for a reasonable price. You just have to have the guys making decisions be able to see it. Bob couldn't do it and he didn't have the skills to trade for it if he did. So far, I would say our present group is reasonably good at it. Kind of the same with draft picks. The quality picks are out there. Your operations team has to be able to find them. Some teams are better than others and draft picks are worth more to them. I think we are in the top half in the league in evaluating for the draft. So, we should value having picks and try to accumulate picks in the top 3 rounds. To summarize, I think we should try to acquire players through FA and by trading prospects and existing players. We are better off keeping and acquiring draft picks, I think. Oh, and I don't think the cupboards are full. I do think though, we have enough top end talent to end the lose to rebuild mode. Pick up a goal scorer and high end RHD this draft; resign Vatrano; pickup a skilled veteran and we should be good to move forward the next few years. After that it should be roster maintenance and gaining experience. Put your sunglasses on. The future looks bright. Well, we'll know a lot more a year from now. But presently, there's a lot of promise.

Notice how not a word is being said about our chances to win the upcoming lottery? It's like Ducks fans are resigned to getting a 4th or 5th pick. Don't want to get disappointed again? Believe it is actually rigged? Realize the odds are actually what they are? Or maybe like me, some have looked into the prospects a little and believe our best pick could be at 3-5. I'm not totally sold on Celebrini or Levshunov.