Surprising Pacific Division contenders, Anaheim navigates a unique deadline. Will they upgrade for contention or build for the future?
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Video Transcript
All right.
All right.
The NHL’s back from the Olympic break, and we’re right into trade deadline season.
The NHL’s back from the Olympic break, and we’re right into trade deadline season.
The trade deadline is scheduled for Friday at noon PM PST.
The trade deadline is scheduled for Friday at noon PM PST.
And all of a sudden, the Ducks are in second place after three straight wins coming back from the break.
And all of a sudden, the Ducks are in second place after three straight wins coming back from the break.
They just trail Vegas by one point, even though they have a higher points percentage.
They just trail Vegas by one point, even though they have a higher points percentage.
And heading into Friday, it’s kinda unclear what Verbeek has planned.
And heading into Friday, it’s kinda unclear what Verbeek has planned.
if you look at the Ducks when they’re healthy, their roster, they have 15 forwards, NHL caliber forwards.
if you look at the Ducks when they’re healthy, their roster, they have 15 forwards, NHL caliber forwards.
That is, however, with Ryan Strome b- being healthy, scratched every game, and he makes five million dollars sitting in the press box, which isn’t ideal.
That is, however, with Ryan Strome b- being healthy, scratched every game, and he makes five million dollars sitting in the press box, which isn’t ideal.
And then Frank Vatrano is, has yet to be, activated off IR, so that’s another forward who makes a good chunk of change just waiting to be activated.
And then Frank Vatrano is, has yet to be, activated off IR, so that’s another forward who makes a good chunk of change just waiting to be activated.
And even when they do play, they play pretty minimal roles.
And even when they do play, they play pretty minimal roles.
But if you look up and down the roster, you can kind of identify some areas of need, and it’s still unclear exactly where Verbeek feels there are holes on the roster.
But if you look up and down the roster, you can kind of identify some areas of need, and it’s still unclear exactly where Verbeek feels there are holes on the roster.
If just looking myself at first glance, you can– Obviously, there’s top of the lineup needs.
If just looking myself at first glance, you can– Obviously, there’s top of the lineup needs.
I feel like y- they have four dynamic s- you know, star young core pieces in Senneka, Carlsson, Gauthier, and McTavish, with Troy Terry there as well, kind of as the elder statesman of that group.
I feel like y- they have four dynamic s- you know, star young core pieces in Senneka, Carlsson, Gauthier, and McTavish, with Troy Terry there as well, kind of as the elder statesman of that group.
But they could use another top six or top of the lineup forward to kind of balance out the rest of the lineup in that sense.
But they could use another top six or top of the lineup forward to kind of balance out the rest of the lineup in that sense.
Also, they’re one of the worst still, one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL.
Also, they’re one of the worst still, one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL.
So maybe adding a defensive forward to, who can be one of the first, players over the boards to kill penalties and take big face-offs and play a more, matchup game, if that’s what the, you know, matchup dictates, whoever they’re playing now or in the playoffs, if they wanna match up lines, which they haven’t been, but that’ll be an option for them should they choose to go down that route.
So maybe adding a defensive forward to, who can be one of the first, players over the boards to kill penalties and take big face-offs and play a more, matchup game, if that’s what the, you know, matchup dictates, whoever they’re playing now or in the playoffs, if they wanna match up lines, which they haven’t been, but that’ll be an option for them should they choose to go down that route.
Also, a top four defenseman wouldn’t be scoffed at b- due to the age of the right shot defensemen on the roster currently and their contract situations.
Also, a top four defenseman wouldn’t be scoffed at b- due to the age of the right shot defensemen on the roster currently and their contract situations.
You have Jacob Trouba, who’s been playing really well on the top li– on the top pairing rather with Jackson LaCombe.
You have Jacob Trouba, who’s been playing really well on the top li– on the top pairing rather with Jackson LaCombe.
And Radko Gudas has been playing really well in the second pair with Owen Zelleweger.
And Radko Gudas has been playing really well in the second pair with Owen Zelleweger.
However, personally, I would be a little iffy about heading into the playoffs with that as your top four on the right side.
However, personally, I would be a little iffy about heading into the playoffs with that as your top four on the right side.
even if Troubas, you know, has carved out a role there, and he’s been playing really well, admittedly, I think a boost to the top four on the right side would go a long way into s- insulating the rest of the, lineup and especially the younger dynamic players on the left side, like Zelleweger and Michkov and even LaCombe.
even if Troubas, you know, has carved out a role there, and he’s been playing really well, admittedly, I think a boost to the top four on the right side would go a long way into s- insulating the rest of the, lineup and especially the younger dynamic players on the left side, like Zelleweger and Michkov and even LaCombe.
So those are three areas I would identify as potential upgrades that the Ducks could get, should they choose to go that route.
So those are three areas I would identify as potential upgrades that the Ducks could get, should they choose to go that route.
However, I’m not necessarily expecting many moves from Verbeek at this deadline.
However, I’m not necessarily expecting many moves from Verbeek at this deadline.
no one really seems to know, even the insiders, what he’s thinking or what he’s up to or what’s on the table.
no one really seems to know, even the insiders, what he’s thinking or what he’s up to or what’s on the table.
However, this season has been a bit of a surprise.
However, this season has been a bit of a surprise.
I know playoffs were the mandate, but it didn’t seem like they had the Pacific Division title, on the table.
I know playoffs were the mandate, but it didn’t seem like they had the Pacific Division title, on the table.
But, so the season’s been a bit of a surprise, so they may surprise us yet again.
But, so the season’s been a bit of a surprise, so they may surprise us yet again.
I don’t necessarily view them as cup contenders, so rentals are likely off the table.
I don’t necessarily view them as cup contenders, so rentals are likely off the table.
But adding pieces to, again, insulate and elevate the young core might be the way to go if said players are available.
But adding pieces to, again, insulate and elevate the young core might be the way to go if said players are available.
Big names at the top of the lineup like Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, Elias Pettersson are available.
Big names at the top of the lineup like Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, Elias Pettersson are available.
Elias Pettersson’s a big risk.
Elias Pettersson’s a big risk.
The other two aren’t necessarily, but those are potential adds there.
The other two aren’t necessarily, but those are potential adds there.
as far as depth, defensive forwards, Blake Coleman is, is one of the better ones.
as far as depth, defensive forwards, Blake Coleman is, is one of the better ones.
Ryan O’Reilly, even Warren Foegele in LA, who is kind of on, seems like he’s on the outs there.
Ryan O’Reilly, even Warren Foegele in LA, who is kind of on, seems like he’s on the outs there.
And then on the back end, the, there’s a, a big market for buyers as far as right shot defensemen are concerned, with guys like Tyler Myers sitting out right now for trade protection.
And then on the back end, the, there’s a, a big market for buyers as far as right shot defensemen are concerned, with guys like Tyler Myers sitting out right now for trade protection.
You got Rasmus Ristolainen, who had a good Olympics.
You got Rasmus Ristolainen, who had a good Olympics.
You know, guys like Dougie Hamilton, even though he wouldn’t be a fit for the Ducks in my opinion, but he’s available it seems like.
You know, guys like Dougie Hamilton, even though he wouldn’t be a fit for the Ducks in my opinion, but he’s available it seems like.
Mackenzie Weegar even.
Mackenzie Weegar even.
players like that seem to be available and, and there are plenty of them, so those are options.
players like that seem to be available and, and there are plenty of them, so those are options.
I would also anticipate Verbeek kinda nibbling around the edges and trying to solidify his bottom six.
I would also anticipate Verbeek kinda nibbling around the edges and trying to solidify his bottom six.
And e- even just, getting guys healthy is kinda like a acquisition here at the deadline down the home stretch anyway.
And e- even just, getting guys healthy is kinda like a acquisition here at the deadline down the home stretch anyway.
So again, the Ducks are just one point out of first place.
So again, the Ducks are just one point out of first place.
By points percentage, they are at the top of the division, so they are in playoff position, and it seems like unless there’s a catastrophic, you know, fallout, that the Ducks will be making the playoffs this season.
By points percentage, they are at the top of the division, so they are in playoff position, and it seems like unless there’s a catastrophic, you know, fallout, that the Ducks will be making the playoffs this season.
And while, again, we don’t anticipate them being cup contenders, you never know once you’re in a seven-game series.
And while, again, we don’t anticipate them being cup contenders, you never know once you’re in a seven-game series.
So, and you have a goaltender like Lukas Dostl and these, volatile young players.
So, and you have a goaltender like Lukas Dostl and these, volatile young players.
But as far as this deadline is concerned, yeah, it, it’s, it’s a mystery to you and me.
But as far as this deadline is concerned, yeah, it, it’s, it’s a mystery to you and me.
So it’ll be interesting to see how these next five days play out.
So it’ll be interesting to see how these next five days play out.
but we’ll be here every step of the way.
but we’ll be here every step of the way.
So for the hockey news, my name is Patrick Present.
So for the hockey news, my name is Patrick Present.