Speculation: 2019-20 Anaheim Ducks Roster Discussion Part IIII

[Bergey37]

I'm curious to see where Comtois will play tomorrow night. I suspect it'll be with Getz and Terry, because it seemed before that Eakins really wanted that to work. But I'd really like to see him with Rico and Terry, and put Ritchie and Kase with Getz.

 

[DavidBL]

I'm curious to see where Comtois will play tomorrow night. I suspect it'll be with Getz and Terry, because it seemed before that Eakins really wanted that to work. But I'd really like to see him with Rico and Terry, and put Ritchie and Kase with Getz.

I suspect you're right that MC plays with Getz and Terry. Id actually like to see the following:
Raks-Getz-Terry
MC-Rico-Silf
Ritchie-Steel-Kase
ND/Shore-Grant-Rowney

 

[MilesNewton]

The Manson watch is on!

Just having Lindholm alone helped solidify the top-4 such that we are able to keep Fowler hidden on the second line. We all should now know that Fowler's isn't a top pairing d-man, but blossoms in a lesser role. Getting Gudz and Manson into the fold improves our defensive acumen and physicality. Both Gudz and Manson can be trusted to be out the PK and at the end of games to protect the lead, which ensures one pairing will always have a physical defenseman on the ice as they'll probably rotate two pairs (Lindholm-Manson, x - Gudz). Holzer is the remaining physical defenseman we have and is a RHD, who'll only be slated as a third pairing d-man.

Our third pairing remains a problem even with Manson returning. Both Larsson and Guhle are struggling. Holzer is Holzer. And we have a reliable MDZ. We get more offensive with Mahura, but his defense isn't all that.

We could do a whole switcheroo...

Lindholm-Manson
MDZ-Fowler
Mahura-Gudz

While it isn't ideal for Fowler to play RHD, he was still effective as a RHD in a sheltered role. Yet Fowler loses that bouncer in Gudzilla. So I dunno... just throwing up ideas. I'm just happy to have a Manson watch now.

The last pairing could get ugly

 

[robbieboy3686]

I suspect you're right that MC plays with Getz and Terry. Id actually like to see the following:
Raks-Getz-Terry
MC-Rico-Silf
Ritchie-Steel-Kase
ND/Shore-Grant-Rowney

Given what happened last game between the 2 teams, you can guarantee ND in the lineup .

 

[Deuce22]

Montour with the Sabres this year has a record of 4-7-3. All this hype about "needing" Monty, but does he really move the needle for the team? Without Monty, the Sabres were 9-3-2.

I just did a review of the Ducks so far in a different thread. The way we're set up, we're far better off hoping Manson returns sooner than grab a defenseman who doesn't play defense well. Our defense is one of the main reasons why we're still in the playoff hunt thus far.

With Lindholm, we're 10-8-2. Without Lindholm, we're 2-4-2.
With Manson-Lindholm, we're 6-5. Without Manson, we're 6-7-4.

Isolating Sabres records with and without Montour is deceptive and short sighted. Maybe the injuries to Dahlin, Sobotka, and Okposo have something to do with it? Whatever you think of the trade, Ducks would be better right now with Montour instead of Guhle. In the future, who knows? Using weak arguments to constantly defend BM is not very convincing.

 

[KyleJRM]

The “arguing over Montour” posts have gotten to the point I almost want another round of “how the Ducks handled their defense in the last expansiom draft.”

 

[MMC]

The “arguing over Montour” posts have gotten to the point I almost want another round of “how the Ducks handled their defense in the last expansiom draft.”

Don’t worry, it’s less than 2 years until we argue over how we handled our defense in the Seattle expansion draft.

 

[bsu]

Madison bowey?

 

[dracom]

Madison bowey?

is a player? not a particularly good one and not worth going after. Sure doesn't solve any of our issues and just adds another bottom pairing D to a surplus of bottom pairing D.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Tracey could turn into a very good player making whatever Guhle does a bonus.

 

[MMC]

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

Just checking in with Chris Wagner I'm sure.

 

[DigiDuck]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Kase in the East by the TDL.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Kase in the East by the TDL.

I think 1 of ritchie or kase is gone by deadline

 

[DavidBL]

I think 1 of ritchie or kase is gone by deadline

I could see it. The question is for who?

 

[Leonardo87]

I could see it. The question is for who?

I would think and hope a Top 4 offensive RHD is on the top of their list. Crazy as it sounds they have a +1 goal differential 5 on 5. Need to fix special teams. Manson back should hopefully help the PK, but that still leaves a point man for the PP needed who can shoot and QB.

I also think a more solid Top 4 D will allow the forward kids to play a better offensive game and not have to be as worried on D. Every time the D turns it over or tries to rim it around the boards it takes away any potential rushes or plays to be made. But they also need to shoot more, that’s a different issue and obvious of course.

 

[DavidBL]

I would think and hope a Top 4 offensive RHD is on the top of their list. Crazy as it sounds they have a +1 goal differential 5 on 5. Need to fix special teams. Manson back should hopefully help the PK, but that still leaves a point man for the PP needed who can shoot and QB.

I also think a more solid Top 4 D will allow the forward kids to play a better offensive game and not have to be as worried on D. Every time the D turns it over or tries to rim it around the boards it takes away any potential rushes or plays to be made. But they also need to shoot more, that’s a different issue and obvious of course.

I'm just not sure the player we actually want exists. For instance, Lindholm Manson when healthy is a solid. First pairing. Fowler and Gudbranson has proven to be a fairly reliable second pair. The obvious choice of which player who should be pushed out of the top 4 is Gudbranson. Except he plays a specific role for that pairing that a player like Ristolainen wouldn't or likely couldn't fill. So if the player isn't a good for for Fowler it means we're likely looking at a 3rd pairing PP specialist. How much are we willing to pay for that? A player like Colin Miller makes sense there but im not sure a guy like Krug or Risto makes sense. Schultz and Vats are likely to want top 4 money so not likely a fit there. For me, unless we can get a guy like Parayko or Peitrangelo out of St Louis, which is unlikely, we are likely looking at Holzer upgrades. Im not averse to the idea of trying Lindholm with Fowler and getting Krug to play with Manson but that could be risky if either pair can't find chemistry it would likely revert a Krug-Fowler pairing that would likely be ugly in the D zone or a 6+ mill 3rd pairing D. If I was BM I'd probably sit tight with what we have and let the kids sink or swim then in the summer take a run at some UFAs. Of course if we're in position to make the playoffs that can change but until then I wouldn't be in a rush.

 

[Bergey37]

I'm just not sure the player we actually want exists. For instance, Lindholm Manson when healthy is a solid. First pairing. Fowler and Gudbranson has proven to be a fairly reliable second pair. The obvious choice of which player who should be pushed out of the top 4 is Gudbranson. Except he plays a specific role for that pairing that a player like Ristolainen wouldn't or likely couldn't fill. So if the player isn't a good for for Fowler it means we're likely looking at a 3rd pairing PP specialist. How much are we willing to pay for that? A player like Colin Miller makes sense there but im not sure a guy like Krug or Risto makes sense. Schultz and Vats are likely to want top 4 money so not likely a fit there. For me, unless we can get a guy like Parayko or Peitrangelo out of St Louis, which is unlikely, we are likely looking at Holzer upgrades. Im not averse to the idea of trying Lindholm with Fowler and getting Krug to play with Manson but that could be risky if either pair can't find chemistry it would likely revert a Krug-Fowler pairing that would likely be ugly in the D zone or a 6+ mill 3rd pairing D. If I was BM I'd probably sit tight with what we have and let the kids sink or swim then in the summer take a run at some UFAs. Of course if we're in position to make the playoffs that can change but until then I wouldn't be in a rush.

I think this makes sense. It seems like many folks see a specific need and want to get a player for it, but aren't necessarily looking at the whole package. It's not fantasy hockey. I think a Parayko or Pietrangelo would be a good long-term fit, but who knows what will go down with those guys. Dougie Hamilton is another thought I've entertained over the last year.

As for the power play, there's more wrong with it than just lacking a real point shot, and a guy like Ristolainen isn't going to fix it. We still need to move the puck more, and work harder at getting inside.

 

[Leonardo87]

I'm just not sure the player we actually want exists. For instance, Lindholm Manson when healthy is a solid. First pairing. Fowler and Gudbranson has proven to be a fairly reliable second pair. The obvious choice of which player who should be pushed out of the top 4 is Gudbranson. Except he plays a specific role for that pairing that a player like Ristolainen wouldn't or likely couldn't fill. So if the player isn't a good for for Fowler it means we're likely looking at a 3rd pairing PP specialist. How much are we willing to pay for that? A player like Colin Miller makes sense there but im not sure a guy like Krug or Risto makes sense. Schultz and Vats are likely to want top 4 money so not likely a fit there. For me, unless we can get a guy like Parayko or Peitrangelo out of St Louis, which is unlikely, we are likely looking at Holzer upgrades. Im not averse to the idea of trying Lindholm with Fowler and getting Krug to play with Manson but that could be risky if either pair can't find chemistry it would likely revert a Krug-Fowler pairing that would likely be ugly in the D zone or a 6+ mill 3rd pairing D. If I was BM I'd probably sit tight with what we have and let the kids sink or swim then in the summer take a run at some UFAs. Of course if we're in position to make the playoffs that can change but until then I wouldn't be in a rush.

Yeah very good points. A Risto type would be risky if he doesn’t gel with Fowler, then you look at a Colin Miller type, who had very good numbers in Vegas but has been healthy scratched in Buffalo. He would come cheaper with less risk and could be an upgrade on the bottom pairing.

I believe even that there is a need they are not under the gun for this season. I do think Bob wants to see how this team does with Manson and Guds both in the line up. But another issues has been their lack of shots on goal, and that is an execution thing, not personnel.

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

Guhle reassigned to San Diego.

 

[DigiDuck]

Guhle reassigned to San Diego.

Really hope he starts to figure it out down there. He just doesn't look comfortable in the NHL right now. He probably would've been better served getting Sprong'd and starting the year down there. Of course that's on Bob for not having enough NHL caliber Dmen on the roster to start with.

 

[Goose of Reason]

Honestly I thought Guhle was pretty good until he got injured and then had to play above his depth

 

[Ducks in a row]

Guhle reassigned to San Diego.

 

[KyleJRM]

We're at a low point for my optimism right now. I just don't see how you get from this point to a championship-contending team without a mostly different set of players.

Before I moved to SoCal, I was born and raised a fan of a different team that was stuck in the duldrums for a long time. We'd always have a handful of young guys we were excited about, some of whom turned into decent players and some of whom didn't, but none of whom were ever difference makers. It wasn't until the draft gods smiled and we got a few truly elite talents that it became obvious how big the gap was between those guys and what we had placed our hopes on in the past. All this "man, we are getting shots, if we could just get some bounces and rebounds we could get 3 goals a game" vibe is very familiar. OK, maybe Terry puts it together and stops disappearing for long stretches and becomes an even-later-blooming Rakell. Congratulations. So what? So you can finish third in the Pacific instead of fifth?

Steel is pointless is every since of the word. Getzlaf is our best forward by default but has to carefully ration out his effort. Kase's advanced stats glory has disappeared along with his actual production. Rakell is turning into another Silfverberg: a decent, nothing-special all-arounder who is a 2nd-liner on bad teams and a third-liner on good ones. I really wish we had traded Henrique before the extension kicked in.

I'd be totally OK with trading some of our mid-20s, good contract guys this season, because I don't think we're gonna need them next season and they are only gonna depreciate in value as they age and run out of contract: Kase, Rakell, Ritchie.

 

[MilesNewton]

Honestly I thought Guhle was pretty good until he got injured and then had to play above his depth

I still think he really needs another year in the A, its mostly his hockey IQ and decision making he even made some mistakes in his few games he had with the Gulls this year. Just needs some time to really work on his passes and maybe a little less selfish play.