- PICK 4: Ducks fall to 4th in the draft. With Celebrini, Levshunov and Demidov off the board, I went with the Ducks selecting Medicine Hat Tigers’ forward Cayden Lindstrom. One of the bigger forwards in the draft, Lindstrom seems like a total Verbeek player and with the center depth Anaheim has, it could give Lindstrom more to time develop and give him a chance to play wing (similar to Gauthier).
- PICK 16: Here I have the Ducks trading up to 16 with the St Louis Blues. Ducks would select Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, a relatively higher touted winger prospect in the mid range of the 1st round. St Louis receives Edmonton’s 1st Round Pick, a promising young defenseman in Lacombe as well as an additional 2025 5th Round Pick.
PICK 35: Pick 35 I have the Ducks selecting Tanner Howe, another higher selection of the wingers among this draft. The Regina Pats forward had a 77 point season and strong on his two way game.
FREE AGENCY:
BRANDON MONTOUR - Verbeek noted in his exit interview that he had an intention of brining in a Top 4 Right Handed defenseman. Among others, some of the following defenseman are on the market : Montour, Pesce, Roy, and Tanev. Montour felt like the decision with the most sense. A familiar choice, Montour previously played 172 games for the Ducks, and was moved at the 2018-2019 trade deadline. With Florida likely to try and resign Reinhart, I felt that Montour was likely packing his bags out of Florida. His playoff experience and two way game could improve Anaheim’s right side and could solidify Anaheims defense for the next few years.
WILLIAM LAGESSON - For the few games Lagesson played for Anaheim he was solid. He’s worth retaining for another year as a 7th D / depth defender. Could swap spots with Luneau depending on Luneau’s health and or decision on where to be by management.
BEN MEYERS - Similar to Lagesson, a player who’s worth keeping around for AHL level and or extra forwards. I’d imagine he’d likely be sent to San Diego or not re-signed.
MITCHELL CHAFFE - Winger for San Diego, had decent number with the Iowa Wild the year before last. Pure depth for AHL level. Could be a younger call up for Anaheim.
JORDAN GROSS - Similar to Chaffe, AHL signing for defensive depth. In need of more RHD in both Anaheim and San Diego.
KEVIN STENLUND - Big body 4th line center that fits Verbeek’s style. Seems like he could be a decent 4th line grinder / power forward that boost the bottom 6.
JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT - the biggest of the names on here, I think Marchessault seems like worst case scenario. Obviously if Stamkos or Reinhart hit the market, I expect the Ducks to absolutely pursue them. With Marchessault I think it’s ineveitbale witht the Hanafin extension that Vegas is forced to let him walk. Similar to the Killorn deal, I think adding Marchessault could really boost this top 6 and allow a right handed right wing to be put in the lineup and add another 30+ goal scorer to the team. I think a 2 or 3 year deal makes the most sense, considering Gibson and Fowler will be off the books then and by then, our rookies will need contract.
Would love to hear feed back from fellow Ducks fans. Cheers
Have seen a few iterations of this over the past couple of days. There’s certainly a situation in which I could see the Blues pulling the trigger on this. But it would depend on a couple of things that wouldn’t be decided until the pick comes up.
If one of Silayev, Buium, Dickinson, Levshunov, Parehk or Yakemchuk are there I can’t see them moving the pick. I could see a scenario in which the front office doesn’t love Parehk or Yakemchuk, but I doubt it.
There’s also a possibility the Blues Front office could be high on a guy that’s in the second tier and doesn’t want to take a risk.
It would take the Blues front office really liking LaCombe, and also having someone they’re pretty sure they could grab at the Edmonton pick on the backend for it to make sense.
The Blues in all reality need to extensively look at moving up to grab a guy they really like out of that first pairing but moving up isn’t always probable from 16.
For the sake of completeness, I think that you should give us your thoughts -- if only in outline -- on what you foresee for the RFAs that you didn't sign: Lundestrom, Vaakanainen and Lindstrom. Personally, I'd keep one of the defenders just in case Luneau isn't ready for Prime Time.
I like everything else here, but my feeling is that even if we fall to fourth next Tuesday, we still have a shot at Levshunov because I can see the two teams between us and Celebrini selecting among Demidov, Lindstrom and Buium.
You had me from ‘Anaheim moves up and selects Michael Brandsegg-Nygård’ my man!
Quoting: OldNYIfan
For the sake of completeness, I think that you should give us your thoughts -- if only in outline -- on what you foresee for the RFAs that you didn't sign: Lundestrom, Vaakanainen and Lindstrom. Personally, I'd keep one of the defenders just in case Luneau isn't ready for Prime Time.
I like everything else here, but my feeling is that even if we fall to fourth next Tuesday, we still have a shot at Levshunov because I can see the two teams between us and Celebrini selecting among Demidov, Lindstrom and Buium.
Go Ducks!
I agree on all of this but I would also try and sign Tanev to a 1 year deal, yes you’d have to overpay but I think it would be a solid idea to let Luneau start the year in San Diego and then we can always deal Tanev is Luneau becomes ready half way through the year or at the deadline
I do not think we should sign a RD or RW to more than 2 years since we will have the entire core to sign then essentially
I messed around last night with a AGM and then a mock draft where we ended up getting Levshunov MBN Yakemchuk Letourneau and Pulkkinen — I think I was delirious LOL
I'd be disappointed if the Blues did this. I don't see them moving back in draft. If anything, they would like to move up.
You have to have "your guy" clearly identified by management to desire to move up. If you've got a list of guys that would work, some if them will be available trading back.
I find it odd you kept Laggeson over Vaakainen and Lindstrom. I would give Lindstrom a 2 year deal, make Luneau outplay him for a full time roster spot, and I would keep Vaakainen as our #7 guy. Laggeson can be kept as our #8 if you want but I wouldn't keep him on the main roster.
I'm hesitant about Montour, he had one freakish year but has otherwise been a #4 Damn his entire career, we cut him loose because he wasn't taking that next step when he was here, and I don't know that he ever did. He's always been an offensive leaning 2 way D who is adequate in their own end but not good, he's a smaller right shot Fowler. I really think we need a defensive specialist like Peace, or even Matt Roy would be a preferable pickup, to mentor and cover for the youth on the left side. I also echo Landro about letting Luneau cook in the AHL until he forces his way up. Gulls need to get good too if we want our development pipeline to be supplying us with talent for years to come.
Marchy is probably a good pickup, though I'd quibble about the lines. Terry needs to get his a$$ in gear and stop trying to force plays as the hero.
For the sake of completeness, I think that you should give us your thoughts -- if only in outline -- on what you foresee for the RFAs that you didn't sign: Lundestrom, Vaakanainen and Lindstrom. Personally, I'd keep one of the defenders just in case Luneau isn't ready for Prime Time.
I like everything else here, but my feeling is that even if we fall to fourth next Tuesday, we still have a shot at Levshunov because I can see the two teams between us and Celebrini selecting among Demidov, Lindstrom and Buium.
Go Ducks!
For sure! I think Lundestrom just doesn’t have the offensive drive that the Ducks desperately need in their bottom six anymore. His defensive game is great but it doesn’t out weight his lack of offense. I felt Vaakanienen could be brought back, but I just really can’t see it with Lacombe in the system (barring no trades). Lindstrom could be swapped out for Lagesson, I felt both had a strong tenure with the ducks and could be brought back.
I feel like I’ve been our most firm fan on Levshunov all year. I have to admit, after watching some film the last couple days, I’m leaning Demidov kinda hard in a tier of his own behind Celebrini. He just feels like a certainty to be a star in the NHL. Also, think about a Gauthier, Leo, Demidov line 🤯 🤤
And to be honest, I’m somewhat torn between the high floor of Lev and the ceiling of Parekh in a tier after that. I’m really okay with any of these 4 guys at this point, but Demidov a notch higher than the RDs.
I know you guys are all hot on trading up for MBN, and after his playoff performance I’m more bought in. But tbh I’m super hot on Helenius. If there was a path to jump to like 11 with BUF (especially if we take a Dman early) I’d be keen
If not, totally like the 16OA position for Yakemchuk or MBN
If we keep our pick, my fingers are crossed for Hage rn, but far less conviction there and I feel like there’s a huge range on where he could go
I feel like I’ve been our most firm fan on Levshunov all year. I have to admit, after watching some film the last couple days, I’m leaning Demidov kinda hard in a tier of his own behind Celebrini. He just feels like a certainty to be a star in the NHL. Also, think about a Gauthier, Leo, Demidov line 🤯 🤤
And to be honest, I’m somewhat torn between the high floor of Lev and the ceiling of Parekh in a tier after that. I’m really okay with any of these 4 guys at this point, but Demidov a notch higher than the RDs.
I know you guys are all hot on trading up for MBN, and after his playoff performance I’m more bought in. But tbh I’m super hot on Helenius. If there was a path to jump to like 11 with BUF (especially if we take a Dman early) I’d be keen
If not, totally like the 16OA position for Yakemchuk or MBN
If we keep our pick, my fingers are crossed for Hage rn, but far less conviction there and I feel like there’s a huge range on where he could go
It's too bad that the only team with an "extra" first in the top half is San Jose, because I don't see them making any kind of deal with us.
The worst scenario, of course, is that Edmonton gets to the Conference finals (or further) and our second pick slides to #29 or later. Then we're looking at Chicago's pick from the Lightning at #20 to move up.
It's too bad that the only team with an "extra" first in the top half is San Jose, because I don't see them making any kind of deal with us.
The worst scenario, of course, is that Edmonton gets to the Conference finals (or further) and our second pick slides to #29 or later. Then we're looking at Chicago's pick from the Lightning at #20 to move up.
Same!
I’ve been fully rooting for the Kings, but knew it was pretty hopeless the moment we beat VGK and LAK topped CHI to close out the season for another EDM/LAK matchup
I feel like I’ve been our most firm fan on Levshunov all year. I have to admit, after watching some film the last couple days, I’m leaning Demidov kinda hard in a tier of his own behind Celebrini. He just feels like a certainty to be a star in the NHL. Also, think about a Gauthier, Leo, Demidov line 🤯 🤤
And to be honest, I’m somewhat torn between the high floor of Lev and the ceiling of Parekh in a tier after that. I’m really okay with any of these 4 guys at this point, but Demidov a notch higher than the RDs.
I know you guys are all hot on trading up for MBN, and after his playoff performance I’m more bought in. But tbh I’m super hot on Helenius. If there was a path to jump to like 11 with BUF (especially if we take a Dman early) I’d be keen
If not, totally like the 16OA position for Yakemchuk or MBN
If we keep our pick, my fingers are crossed for Hage rn, but far less conviction there and I feel like there’s a huge range on where he could go
Do you feel as a somewhat undersized speedy winger that his game will be hampered with significantly less room to operate on North American Ice? That's my concern with those type of players, defenses are more spread out on euro ice.
I also am doubtful we win the second lottery and move up to two, it seems the consensus 1-3 is Celebrini, Demidiv, then Leshunov. I know I've turned hotter on Parekh, especially with the connection to Mintyukov, but it really comes down to where our pick lands. If we drop to 4 or 5 Verbeek s got more latitude to pick a riskier but more rewarding guy, if we pick at 2 or 3 you kind of have to go with the guy you know will hit, even if it's not the highest ceiling in the class. You can "lose" the pick at two by taking a guy who should have gone 5th in a redraft, but you can't loose at 2 by taking a guy who busts.
Do you feel as a somewhat undersized speedy winger that his game will be hampered with significantly less room to operate on North American Ice? That's my concern with those type of players, defenses are more spread out on euro ice.
I also am doubtful we win the second lottery and move up to two, it seems the consensus 1-3 is Celebrini, Demidiv, then Leshunov. I know I've turned hotter on Parekh, especially with the connection to Mintyukov, but it really comes down to where our pick lands. If we drop to 4 or 5 Verbeek s got more latitude to pick a riskier but more rewarding guy, if we pick at 2 or 3 you kind of have to go with the guy you know will hit, even if it's not the highest ceiling in the class. You can "lose" the pick at two by taking a guy who should have gone 5th in a redraft, but you can't loose at 2 by taking a guy who busts.
I’m honestly not concerned. Plenty of examples of speedy wingers who find success here with far less skill. His hands and offensive IQ are so elite he still seems to have no problem operating when there’s little-to-no space. Is he ready for the NHL right now at his weight? No. But he’s 5’11, thats not necessarily an undersized frame, but it’s on that cusp
For ceiling/floor I think Celebrini tops both, and Demidov is 2nd in both. For floor Lev is probably near 3, and Parekh is probably near 3 for ceiling. I’d honestly trust the ANA scouting staff either way. My worst case is that we end up 5th and they’re all off the board. As long as we’re top 4 I’m cool with it, and would prefer top 3 to at least get a chance to see who our scouting staff prefers most
My ‘in the realm of possibility’ dream scenario is Demidov and then finding a way to move up for Yakemchuk. I’m vibing on that more than the alternative of Lev/Parekh + MBN
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