Player Discussion With the 9th pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Ducks select Trevor Zegras

[AngelDuck]

That 2019 draft is really loaded in hindsight. The Rangers could be really kicking themselves soon

 

[bsu]

Still can't believe the Oilers didn't take him Broberg is my favorite Oiler of all-time

 

[darkwingduck]

While I am beyond excited to see his play, I do still think that the ducks will end up with a high lottery pick.

If the ducks take a prospect like Wright or Savoie, do we think Zegras will stay at Center or move to Wing?

 

[bsu]

Zegras is a center.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

That early bet on Zegras to win the Calder looks a lot closer to happening now!

 

[Paul4587]

That 2019 draft is really loaded in hindsight. The Rangers could be really kicking themselves soon

Just not right at the top. It has a shitload of great prospects drafted a little lower though - Seider, Zegras and Caulfield in particular all look like absolute steals.

 

[ohcomeonref]

That early bet on Zegras to win the Calder looks a lot closer to happening now!

The only thing that will stop Zegras is being on a completely inept team offensively.

 

[bsu]

I hope so, I got 1k in at +1600 odds.

 

[sasha barkov]

Still can't believe the Oilers didn't take him Broberg is my favorite Oiler of all-time

Their drafting philosophy boggles my mind. I think passing up on Wallstadt is really gonna bite them in the ass too

 

[KickHisAssZegrass]

Just not right at the top. It has a shitload of great prospects drafted a little lower though - Seider, Zegras and Caulfield in particular all look like absolute steals.

I was obsessed with this draft class for almost a year before the draft. Mainly because of Zegras, Hughes, Caufield and Seider, I was certain Seider would "go early" to the Ducks at 9. IMO the Ducks didnt neccesarily target Trevor or really knew what they had, he just kind of fell into their spot and was a no-brainer pretty much.

 

[lwvs84]

While I am beyond excited to see his play, I do still think that the ducks will end up with a high lottery pick.

If the ducks take a prospect like Wright or Savoie, do we think Zegras will stay at Center or move to Wing?

It might come down to who's a better C between him and McTavish if we draft a better C. Zegras might benefit more as a 2C (1BC?) since he's a facilitator. It would be a great problem to have.

 

[bsu]

It might come down to who's a better C between him and McTavish if we draft a better C. Zegras might benefit more as a 2C (1BC?) since he's a facilitator. It would be a great problem to have.

If they don't play zegras at center they are brain dead.

 

[bsu]

I got bored.

 

[Deuce22]

If they don't play zegras at center they are brain dead.

This is their pattern. More concerned about face offs and defensive "responsibility" than creating offense.

 

[Mr Rogers]

This is their pattern. More concerned about face offs and defensive "responsibility" than creating offense.

It’s amazing. Eakins can never pass up a chance to comment on their defensive deficiencies

 

[Anaheim4ever]

This is their pattern. More concerned about face offs and defensive "responsibility" than creating offense.

Yep. To Bob Murray puck possession means winning faceoffs and that is all that matters. Under Murray: Steel will stay at center as long as he wins faceoffs. He prefers 2way safe players over dynamic offensive players.

Fowler was dynamic in 2010-11 but he was bad defensively and got his dynamic offense coached out of him and turned him into a more 2way safe player.

 

[Kalv]

This is their pattern. More concerned about face offs and defensive "responsibility" than creating offense.

I think defensive responsibility is important, especially come playoff time. You don't want offensive players that don't move their ass in 60% of ice sheet.

Faceoffs are important for starting possession as well, I like that. But I wish we would pay more attention to keep that possession, yes. That is a weak point for us, partially because of the lack of skill we have, but also I believe our team just lacks hustle. We are doing the safe play too much. As long as we are defensively responsible, we can get more opportunistic in the offensive zone, IMO.

 

[Deuce22]

I think defensive responsibility is important, especially come playoff time. You don't want offensive players that don't move their ass in 60% of ice sheet.

Faceoffs are important for starting possession as well, I like that. But I wish we would pay more attention to keep that possession, yes. That is a weak point for us, partially because of the lack of skill we have, but also I believe our team just lacks hustle. We are doing the safe play too much. As long as we are defensively responsible, we can get more opportunistic in the offensive zone, IMO.

The best defense is to possess the puck and be in the other team's zone. This concept seems to be lost to the current regime. Consistently being outshot because our players are "defensively responsible" and don't control the puck isn't how winning teams play. Benching Zegras at the end of periods last year illustrates this kind of thinking. They thought they were improving the defense by taking our best player at creating offense off the ice. Winning faceoffs is great, I used to love have Kesler out there for D-zone draws when we had the lead. But not important enough to overcome deficiencies in the rest of a player's game. To win in today's NHL, you must convert on the PP and keep the puck in the other team's zone. It's just that simple.

 

[bsu]

 

[Vinegar Strokes]

I think you guys are going waaaaaay overboard with the, "coached the skill away", narrative. I can't remember the last time I saw a player get put in the doghouse for trying to play with skill. Rakell, Vatanen, Zegras, Getzlaf, Perry, Drysdale, Terry, hell even a guy like Sekac, they were all allowed and even encouraged to make skilled plays.

Maybe players like Steel just don't have what it takes to make those kinds of plays at this level and if that's their analysis of Steel I completely agree with them. Fowler started playing much safer after getting obliterated by Doan, I don't think he was coached to stop taking risks.

Now, if you want to argue we don't take enough chances in the draft on high-skill forwards, I think I would get behind that.

 

[MMC]

 

[Goose of Reason]

I think you guys are going waaaaaay overboard with the, "coached the skill away", narrative. I can't remember the last time I saw a player get put in the doghouse for trying to play with skill. Rakell, Vatanen, Zegras, Getzlaf, Perry, Drysdale, Terry, hell even a guy like Sekac, they were all allowed and even encouraged to make skilled plays.

Maybe players like Steel just don't have what it takes to make those kinds of plays at this level and if that's their analysis of Steel I completely agree with them. Fowler started playing much safer after getting obliterated by Doan, I don't think he was coached to stop taking risks.

Now, if you want to argue we don't take enough chances in the draft on high-skill forwards, I think I would get behind that.

Steel was given the exact same linemates to start the year that Zegras got when he started at center. One of them drove the line like a legitimate first line center, the other didnt because Eakins hates offense and wants him to be a 4th liner or some bs.

 

[Paul4587]

Steel was given the exact same linemates to start the year that Zegras got when he started at center. One of them drove the line like a legitimate first line center, the other didnt because Eakins hates offense and wants him to be a 4th liner or some bs.

So many are forgetting that Steel was widely praised for his first half dozen games when he was on that line last year and many were claiming he was our best player. It was as the season went on he started struggling.

 

[bsu]

So many are forgetting that Steel was widely praised for his first half dozen games when he was on that line last year and many were claiming he was our best player. It was as the season went on he started struggling.

I never remember the words steel and best together. Ever.

 

[Goose of Reason]

So many are forgetting that Steel was widely praised for his first half dozen games when he was on that line last year and many were claiming he was our best player. It was as the season went on he started struggling.

He had a good start and then fell off and never got it back together, but it's not from a lack of opportunity or being forced into a grinding style. He just hasnt found a way to be a consistent contributor.