deepdrive

I'm for Vancouver in the series.  But I didn't think they had much of a chance.

Hope I'm wrong. The difference in the pick the Ducks get from Edmonton would be huge if they don't get to the conference finals.

7 hours ago, gotbeer said:

Mock 2024 NHL Draft: Experts split after Celebrini, Levshunov, Silayev go top 3

Interesting.  Not unsurprising though, but interesting that the top 3 are now kind of consensus.  I wouldn't mind the big Russian though.  The only bad thing is he's a LD.  But more than likely, we don't have to rush him to the NHL also.  

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/835541/anton-silayev

https://thehockeywriters.com/anton-silayev-2024-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/

Is that the end of Lacombe if we draft a left hand defender ?

I don't know that he's the way to go at 3. You only get so many chances at high level scorers. You would have to be pretty confident that this guy is going to develop offensively. There are some quality RHD in the first two rounds.

And F Chicago.  2nd isn't much better than 3rd in this draft. Now they can't get another lottery pick for 3 years - their primary suck years.

Lol.  We can't get #1 with 11.5pc odds, but we stay at 3 with 7pc odds. 

But I'm happy.  Some really good players at 3.

I still don't understand why teams don't have to be cap compliant in the playoffs

3 hours ago, gotbeer said:

@deepdriverdraft is tomorrow Tuesday at 3:30 pm. We get to see if the ducks pick 4th or 5th.  With Montreal or Chicago getting the first pick.

I'm ready. So sure we fall back in this one, that no matter what happens, I'm good with it.

Do you think the league would do much for Montreal ? I know they're one of the chosen, but it seems mildly, in a 'let's keep them relevant' kind of way. Naw, Montreal would be up for 2nd if anything.

2 hours ago, arch stanton said:

This year I think it's Utah to throw the new golden boy a bone

Yeah, I think that would be my conspiracy pick. Too much blowback if Chicago gets it again.

14 hours ago, arch stanton said:

Until early March when 4 of them go on LTIR but are somehow ready for game 1 of the playoffs.

Really.

It's part of their game plan at this point.

But, give credit where credit is due. They found a hole (or more accurately took it from TB's playbook)  in the system and exploited it fully. Because Bettman is so proud of himself for being the first one into Vegas, he is leary to do anything that goes against his Vegas success story.

I don't see any move to stop this until one of the lesser teams starts dominating with the technique.

Too many problems that he's been given a pass on. I don't know the guy.  But, unless the Kings have a real strong reason to believe this was just a fluke season, they should cut their losses while they still can cheaply.  Three time losers (cough Klingburg) are extremely hard to move. So, you can't miss on this guy.

22 hours ago, gotbeer said:

What a finish to put Toronto on suicide watch. Florida is going to roll Boston.

My bet is Mariner is not getting another big contract there. Tavares will only stay on a short reasonably priced deal.

They can't go with this version of their team any longer. The fans and writers will chew them up.

Marner's not that valuable to them anyway.

On 5/4/2024 at 12:36 AM, arch stanton said:

Vegas give the Avs home ice but I have no preference. I do believe Vegas will win game 7 because Dallas doesn't have anyone who's gonna rise to the moment

I don't know, Johnston has been playing well in clutch situations. I'd pick him to score a big goal over any individual on Vegas ( sorry Eichel).

1 hour ago, gotbeer said:

One thing about the Ducks.  Can never have too many goalies prospects it seems.

Ducks Sign Vyacheslav Buteyets To Entry-Level Deal

I thought they had totality given up on that guy.

56 minutes ago, Tank said:

kings have their backs to the wall tonight.

while they're playing well on offense, they've just been really sloppy on defense and have taken too many penalties.

and it's a crying shame that no one in the entire kings franchise has figured out that draisatl likes to set up low in the left face off circle where he's shooting at about 1000% accuracy. 

man, this (*&@#$*& team . . . 

This is the best Edmonton team yet. I think the only Western team that can possibly beat them is Colorado. Those two are my bet to be in the conference final.

On 4/29/2024 at 5:05 PM, gotbeer said:

@deepdrive  Suicide watch is on in Toronto.  Everyone is rumoring that the Leafs will trade Marner.  Last 3 seasons, 85, 99 and 97 points.  RH shot winger, 6'.  Big $10.9 million hit for one season till free agency.  So do you?  Obviously it's a no when it comes to our young guns.  But what if it's for a Gibswim or a Fowler or even a Stoned with some minor chips?  

I would have liked Nylander. But, for the money, I would pass on Mariner.

5 hours ago, gotbeer said:

Three Anaheim Ducks Players Will be Eligible to Sign Contract Extensions This Offseason

Ducks need to extend Vatrano.

4 hours ago, gotbeer said:

Three Anaheim Ducks Players Will be Eligible to Sign Contract Extensions This Offseason

Not bad for the 10th pick.

First thing the announcer said after Dallas won in OT:

"Now they're back in it"

Ehh, I don't think so. That shooting was pretty bad. Kind of like watching the Ducks for the last 5 years.

Toronto scored a goal by Lindholm's leg diverting a pass into the goal.

Once a Duck, always a Duck.

Oops, wrong thread.

8 hours ago, gotbeer said:

 

the strange thing about this whole Z speculation, is that I haven't heard Cronin or Beeker speak poorly about him at all.  Even when he got benched, neither Cronin or Z said anything bad about it outside of a learning experience.  Most of Cronin's comments about Z have been positive.  Just looking at Beekers, hoping he grows into what we expect of him comment, and Cronins constant praise of him.  I'm wondering if they are both trying to do tough love on Z and work the immaturity out of him.  Cronin said that the guys in the locker room look up to Z.  Just reading between the lines, it doesn't sound like they are looking to trade him, but to elevate him so that he becomes a letter on the team.  

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.

8 minutes ago, gotbeer said:

Verbeek: Ducks targeting top-6 forward, top-4 D-man this summer

Maybe those Stamkos rumors have some legs?

 

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.

3 hours ago, gotbeer said:

So duck stream interviewed beeker. Some interesting things in it. We will be looking at a c next season. Looking for bottom 6 fast grit. Top 4 Rd. But what I thought was an interesting comment, a top 6 right shot. Considering you have leo, cutter, Z, Mct, vatrano, then killtheducks.  Not to mention right shot Terry. They also did talk about Z, and I thought he was real careful with his words during that section. Very noticeable change in tone. Not sure what to make of it, as he didn't say anything about trades, but also did not deny it also.

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.)

20 hours ago, eaterfan said:

I'm not focused on it because to me Cellebrini is in a tier all his own. After that there are about 12 guys in the next tier. There are some I like better than others, but to me I wouldn't be surprised if any one of them became the best NHL player of the bunch. The Ducks don't "need" a forward any more than they "need" a defenseman. So basically, I see very little difference between having pick 2 and having pick 5. The chance of winning the one pick is pretty low. 

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.

8 hours ago, gotbeer said:

  

 

Can you imagine what her book sales have suddenly become?  Good that the team even recognized it.  Or even knew about it.  Plus she seems really receptive to any copyright challenges.  

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