deepdrive

Here we go.

Haven't won in Winnipeg since 2017.

Second night of a back to back.

Our 3rd line is now our 2nd line.

My guess:  We'll either get killed or win.

3 minutes ago, gotbeer said:

Can't win if you can't score.  

Fleury will retire before we need to start winning. Problem solved.

Well, that was good game with a good outcome - 2 points for the team that needed to stay in the race and 0 for the team that needed to stay in the lottery race.

In the end, it's just click another game off.

Playoffs start on the 19th, correct ?

And, when are Z and Leo supposed to return ?

2 hours ago, gotbeer said:

Yeah, same here.  Another thing I've noticed.  This team really really misses Rico.  Relying on Strome and Killorn and Stonehands as your veteran offensive leadership really sucks.

Yeah, I really wonder if there's a chance they try to resign him this summer. He seems to still be rather healthy. Three years wouldn't be much of a risk.

I think he liked it here. But if he wants to be in the playoffs, his best shot is probably somewhere else. But...  he's in Edmonton right now. How do you think his wife and baby like that. Resigning there could be a hard sell if the wife grew accustomed to SoCal weather. 

Funny, but I thought we were going to win this game.

4 minutes ago, gotbeer said:

What's awesome is the he put the beatdown in, and only got 2 minutes.  No 5 for fighting.

It didn't seem like he even wanted to fight. The other guy kind of pushed him into it.

2 minutes ago, gotbeer said:

Mintyukov.  Don't fight those Russians.  Only bright spot of the game, is the beatdown he put out.

He can fight.

2 minutes ago, gotbeer said:

Blackhawks, Penguins, Canadians.  Those are the only 3 that have a shot at the #1 pick.

Lol.  It sure seems that way.

We deserve to win the lottery this year and celebrate.

But I give Pittsburgh a better chance than us.

Just saying.

Does it hurt to watch Bedard and realize for the next 15-20 years it's going to be Crosby all over again?

Leason almost looks like he knows what he's doing out there.

1 hour ago, gotbeer said:

Oh well, that much closer to a top 5 pick.

Not much else remains for this season.

Well, there is the return of Z. Interesting to see how he does.

And, there's Gauthier hopefully for the last few games of the season.

Is that enough to fill 18 games?  Probably not.

Oh well, in a month the playoffs start.

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.

Dostal not having one of his better games.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

1 minute ago, mmc said:

 

Yeah, I saw that. Kind of a nothing trade - AHL stuff. Perreault hasn't really been a prospect that the Ducks were going to develop since the season before last. The guy they got is a sub 6' center which = not a chance with this org. Tracy will probably also be gone soon. The sun has set.

13 hours ago, gotbeer said:

Did they give a reason why so many people were held out of the game?

No. I think it's just the time of year where a skilled prospect is going to sit if he's even a little dinged up. We're almost locked into a bottom 8 finish.  Guys have played a lot. Why risk making a small injury a big one just to get points we don't need and don't really want.

The season is over for the Ducks. They're just playing the last quarter out and hopefully improving some for next year.

4 hours ago, gotbeer said:

Watched the game at the casino. Outside of dostal, lundestrom and zellwger, maybe some gudas. It was a pretty sad showing. Worse is we won. Which says something about Ottawa.

We looked like we lacked talent. They looked amateurish.

They couldn't score on Dostal. Story of the game.

This is some really low skill hockey tonight.