If Friesen plays well, should the ducks sign him?

A hypothetical situation. What if Friesen scores a few more GWG, plays physical and creates problems for other teams, should the ducks sign him to an extension? Assuming the cap is 41 million or so.

Right now the ducks are at about 31/32 million dollars, Penner/Perry/Getzlaf/Konopka will all likely have roster spots and I expect Getzlaf and Perry to be the 2nd line next season.

when Friesen becomes a UFA that will leave a vacant spot next to Mac/Selanne(assuming he is re-signed) should that be filled internally, with Friesen(if he plays well) or a UFA?

Who will play with Getzlaf and Perry? Penner? Lupul? Niedermayer? Fedoruk? UFA?

and Sort of going off topic, should the ducks sign a top 4 dman or stick with what we have? Burke said yesterday Smid will definitely be on the team, but didn't specify when, and Shane O'Brien could make a push to take DiPentas spot.

So what do you guys think of the situation? Would you re-sign Friesen if he showed a good attitude and produced?

Sure ... but I still hate him.

A hypothetical situation. What if Friesen scores a few more GWG, plays physical and creates problems for other teams, should the ducks sign him to an extension? Assuming the cap is 41 million or so.

Right now the ducks are at about 31/32 million dollars, Penner/Perry/Getzlaf/Konopka will all likely have roster spots and I expect Getzlaf and Perry to be the 2nd line next season.

when Friesen becomes a UFA that will leave a vacant spot next to Mac/Selanne(assuming he is re-signed) should that be filled internally, with Friesen(if he plays well) or a UFA?

Who will play with Getzlaf and Perry? Penner? Lupul? Niedermayer? Fedoruk? UFA?

and Sort of going off topic, should the ducks sign a top 4 dman or stick with what we have? Burke said yesterday Smid will definitely be on the team, but didn't specify when, and Shane O'Brien could make a push to take DiPentas spot.

So what do you guys think of the situation? Would you re-sign Friesen if he showed a good attitude and produced?

I'm haven't checked what UFA left-wingers would be available, but assuming there is none we go after, yes I would keep Friesen. If he clicks with Andy and Teemu, why not?

I'd play Fedoruk - Getzlaf - Perry next year as it seems to be doing great right now. My second option would be Penner. I'd keep Niedermayer - Pahlsson (or Konopka) - Hedstrom together as a line (unless Hedstrom leaves).

I'm haven't checked what UFA left-wingers would be available, but assuming there is none we go after, yes I would keep Friesen. If he clicks with Andy and Teemu, why not?

I'd play Fedoruk - Getzlaf - Perry next year as it seems to be doing great right now. My second option would be Penner. I'd keep Niedermayer - Pahlsson (or Konopka) - Hedstrom together as a line (unless Hedstrom leaves).
The question becomes how well you expect Getzlaf/Perry/Penner to play. Do you rely on each of them to score 20 goals? can you count on mac and Selanne to repeat? That angle is the one that makes me want to bring in a top six forward, on the other hand these kids have to play, but that's the risk you take.

I would. But he seemed to click better with Sammi and Rob. And we've already got enough 3rd liners.

and Sort of going off topic, should the ducks sign a top 4 dman or stick with what we have? Burke said yesterday Smid will definitely be on the team, but didn't specify when, and Shane O'Brien could make a push to take DiPentas spot.
With so many top 4 UFA D available I think that is who Burke will target. Jovo or Reddan someone like that. Especially if Salei isn't back, we would have a top 4 of Nieds, Beauchemin, Smid? O'Donnel? Vish?
I'd play Fedoruk - Getzlaf - Perry next year
I'm hoping next year we have enough talent in the top 6 so that Fedoruk doesn't have to be put in our top 6 at times.

We have a glut of forwards looking into next year, I don't think Hedstrom and Moen will be back.

Yeah. Let's get a real winger to play with Getzlaf and Perry next season. Friesen can stay if he produces and doesn't expect too much compensation. I'd like to see Chistov given another shot.

Most of all I'd like to see us sign a true top six winger.

I'm hoping next year we have enough talent in the top 6 so that Fedoruk doesn't have to be put in our top 6 at times.

We have a glut of forwards looking into next year, I don't think Hedstrom and Moen will be back.

Unless we get a top-6 power forward to play their left side, I like keeping Fedoruk there. As I think Getz himself said recently, with Fedoruk on their line the other team thinks twice about roughing them up or cheap shotting them. That gives them more confidence and room to play I think having that insurance.

What I would try and do is trade Lupul straight up for a young scoring LW if I could.

A good player is a good player when it comes down to it. If Friesen is that player, so be it. (Anyone want to tell me how he's doing? I've not seen him play yet).

I would prefer to go out and sign a true top line left-wing. A quick scan of the '06 UFA class and I can't see many of them. Elias being the only guy I'd like. We've got cap to make a splash, with so many younger players making <$1m each, but I'd still think Elias would got back to NJ.

I won't say no to going after Jovanovski for the Blue line. Or some other big name. That'll look nice, but scoring is a must first. I don't want to put all the hopes on young players rising their games next season. By tradition, three of them should slump...

_____ - McDonald - Selänne
Penner - Getzlaf - Perry
Chistov - Marchant - Lupul
Niedermayer - Påhlsson - Headström
Fedoruk/Moen/Kunitz

Niedermayer - Beauchemin
Vishnevski - Smid
_____ - O'Donnel
DiPenta

(I'm not good with lines, that's just so you can see the spaces. Five young guys really does make thing awkward sometimes.)

What I would try and do is trade Lupul straight up for a young scoring LW if I could.
I would like to hold onto Lupul and wait a year or so. If all out youner guys turn out how we want, I would like Lupul to be part of it. Trading him away would mean we'd have an older player that could be past it when to other players are ready for that level. I don't want a quick fix in expence of the a younger player. I would be happy to trade a first rounder though. We've got enough first rounders comeing through for a while. We would be wait too long for anyone else I feel.

How about Chistov with Getzlaf and Perry and Penner with McDonald and Selanne?

Spend the money on a good defenseman.

Honestly...I think Salei is as good as alot of the 2nd tier UFA dmen, I'd rather just keep him instead of adding a new sexy name. the ducks have so many young players close to being ready for spots that Burke has to figure out what kind of forward he wants to sign. I'd like to see Lupul with guys who can actually create offense, he is basically relegated to being a PP specialist because his linemates have no offensive creativity.

Next year Getz and Perry will see ~15mins per night, can Fedoruk handle that? I don't think so, as much I like Fedoruk.

Hedström and Moen are pretty much gone.

I'd re-sign Salei to 3y deal ~2.0M per year and go after some decent LW.

Keep Mac and Selanne together and find them a winger. Penner should get the first shot though.

I think a problem is that we've got four centres we want to (or need to) keep, but we need one more for lupul. McDonald, Påhlsson, Getzlaf and Marchant. Marchant won't got anywhere with his contract.

You can't add another centre to that lot. Adding the centre may help get rid of the winger problem, Lupul could play it and be better. People say he'll be better with someone to set him up.

If one of Selanne, Lupul or Perry could switch to left wing, then it would solve a lot of problems.

Lupul. He play all three positions in the dub. Or at least that's what people say. He'll be the best bet.

Friesen only plays when he so desires it...and that means from the deadline up through the playoffs for a contending team. He will forever be one of those guys who is shipped at the trading deadline because he only starts caring in the last month or so of each season assuming the roster he is on has a legit window at making the playoffs. I would not want him for a full calendar year personally.

I wouldn't pay him to be anything more than a third-liner, and honestly, I'd rather have third-liners who I don't associate with the taste of bile. No thanks.

Exactly my point. He's playing best with Pahlsson and Niedermayer. We've got like 15 million of those guys. He's an improvement over Hedstrom, but not a huge improvement.

But my gut tells me if he has a good run here, he will be re-signed.

Exactly my point. He's playing best with Pahlsson and Niedermayer. We've got like 15 million of those guys. He's an improvement over Hedstrom, but not a huge improvement.

But my gut tells me if he has a good run here, he will be re-signed.

I'd have to agree. To me Friesen is just a good player to have for a drive to the playoffs. I'd be perfectly fine with it if the Ducks let him walk over the summer. We just have too much depth to keep him around long-term.

How has he looked?

He is a pretty good third liner. That's it.

We don't really have a spot for him after this season.

Lupul. He play all three positions in the dub. Or at least that's what people say. He'll be the best bet.
Lupul's a leech. He'd flub as many chances as Kunitz. I'd prefer him to stay on the second line with a better center.

No, I would rather not sign him. I don't see him really fitting into our style, so it would be pointless to sign someone who doesn't have much potential in the Ducks organization. There are far better ways to invest that money.

I don't like Friesen.

I'd love to see a young powerforward type like Bell (plays center but has played LW as well).

Then again, I'd like to see Jim Vandermeer instead of O'Donnell as well.

Penner + 1st for those two...Would anyone here do this trade (keep in mind the pick will be 15th-20th overall in a relatively shallow draft)?

I don't like Friesen.

I'd love to see a young powerforward type like Bell (plays center but has played LW as well).

Then again, I'd like to see Jim Vandermeer instead of O'Donnell as well.

Penner + 1st for those two...Would anyone here do this trade (keep in mind the pick will be 15th-20th overall in a relatively shallow draft)?


No. The way Penner has progressed it would seem that he is going to be a real force in the NHL in a few years. Speed players are much easier to come by then 6'4 power forwards with touch around the net.

Bell and Vandermeer are no 'speed' players, they play physical powergame.

And we really don't know how much potential Penner really has.

Bell and Vandermeer are no 'speed' players, they play physical powergame.

And we really don't know how much potential Penner really has.

Damn youre right, I think I was thinking of Kyle Calder. I still wouldnt want to make the trade becuase Penner seems ready to make a big juump soon. I just would hate to trade him this soon and them watch him develop into a great player.

Damn youre right, I think I was thinking of Kyle Calder. I still wouldnt want to make the trade becuase Penner seems ready to make a big juump soon. I just would hate to trade him this soon and them watch him develop into a great player.

At some point Ducks have to make a move, Nieds and Selanne are not getting any younger, especially Selanne. He probably has 2 good years ahead of him.

Bell would be perfect 2nd liner player for us.

At some point Ducks have to make a move, Nieds and Selanne are not getting any younger, especially Selanne. He probably has 2 good years ahead of him.

Bell would be perfect 2nd liner player for us.

Does Bell really push them over the top though? It would really suck if Penner becomes a first line left wing power forward, which is exactly what teh Ducks dont have. Bell might be a nice player but I dont think I would trade Penner for him straight up much less with a 1st round pick.

When is Bell's contract up?

I hope Penner finishes his development soon. With Getz and Perry starting to blossom, and aided by Kunitz' speed, we have a top six:

Penner-McDonald-Selanne
Kunitz-Getzlaf-Perry

Good at least thru next year, then we'll see how Selanne and Lupul are managing.

Ok, even as streaky as Lupul is, there's no way Kunitz is ahead of him on the depth-chart.

Ok, even as streaky as Lupul is, there's no way Kunitz is ahead of him on the depth-chart.
if he can't play LW...

I hope Penner finishes his development soon. With Getz and Perry starting to blossom, and aided by Kunitz' speed, we have a top six:

Penner-McDonald-Selanne
Kunitz-Getzlaf-Perry

Good at least thru next year, then we'll see how Selanne and Lupul are managing.

***? Kunitz ahead of Lupul? Kunitz will be battling for 3rd line minutes with the other 100 3rd liners we have on this team. Lupul would be the best fit on that line. They should really try and move him to the LW this offseason.

Its coming to the point where my mom and I actually have to look specifically for Friesen because he is so invisible. :biglaugh:

Not to knock on the guy, GL to him in the future. :)

Its coming to the point where my mom and I actually have to look specifically for Friesen because he is so invisible. :biglaugh:

Not to knock on the guy, GL to him in the future. :)

Funny you should mention that, I was at the Nashville game last night and I didn't even notice him until the 3rd period when the jumbotron showed him sitting on the bench.

I don't see him getting resigned quite truthfully.

***? Kunitz ahead of Lupul? Kunitz will be battling for 3rd line minutes with the other 100 3rd liners we have on this team. Lupul would be the best fit on that line. They should really try and move him to the LW this offseason.
We could keep him at RW and have a 3rd line of R. Nieds, Marchant and Lupul. Just because Kunitz would be on the so called 2nd line, doesn't mean he gets more minutes. Like Chock, I'm hopeing for a top 6 LW UFA signing in the off-season.

We could keep him at RW and have a 3rd line of R. Nieds, Marchant and Lupul.

Lupul isn't a checker...we need to get him away from Marchant...he needs some skill players to play with.

We could keep him at RW and have a 3rd line of R. Nieds, Marchant and Lupul. Just because Kunitz would be on the so called 2nd line, doesn't mean he gets more minutes. Like Chock, I'm hopeing for a top 6 LW UFA signing in the off-season.

No way do you keep Lupul on a line with Marchant. Wasn't that what everyone was complaining about this year? Lupul needs to switch to the LW and play on the top 2 lines.

Lupul isn't a checker...we need to get him away from Marchant...he needs some skill players to play with.

Agreed. It's going to be tough though. With all the RW's we have coming up in the system, it would be easiest just to get Lupul to play the LW. A good fit for Lupul would be Bobby Ryan, when he makes it up here. A line of Ryan/Lupul/Konopka would be great. Joffrey would have plenty of space to maneuver (he needs it).

Maybe by '07/'08, we could see something like this:

UFA/Penner-Getzlaf-Perry
Chistov/UFA/Prospect-McDonald-Selanne
Lupul-Konopka-Ryan
Penner-Pahlsson-Niedermayer

Agreed.
So you want to get Lupul away from Marchant and then put him on a line with Konopka? Yea that gives him a real center to play with......

So you want to get Lupul away from Marchant and then put him on a line with Konopka? Yea that gives him a real center to play with......

Notice how I said by '07/'08. I think Konopka can turn into a good player, not just a goon. He'd also be with Bobby Ryan, who IMO, would fit with Lupul's style very well.

Notice how I said by '07/'08. I think Konopka can turn into a good player, not just a goon. He'd also be with Bobby Ryan, who IMO, would fit with Lupul's style very well.
Konopka will never be the player Marchant is. What Konopka is now is what he will be in 07/08, a 4th line player.

I do agree that Bobby is a perfect linemate for Lupul. Bobby's vision is outstanding.

Konopka will never be the player Marchant is. What Konopka is now is what he will be in 07/08, a 4th line player.

I do agree that Bobby is a perfect linemate for Lupul. Bobby's vision is outstanding.

I'm not saying Konopka is going to be very good, but IMO Marchant isn't that great either. He's a solid 3rd liner at best. So, is that out of Konopka's reach to be a solid 3rd liner in his career? I don't think so. I don't think it's out of the question anyway. However, I do agree with you though, Konopka will be a 4th line agitator in 07/08.

Konopka will never be the player Marchant is. What Konopka is now is what he will be in 07/08, a 4th line player.

I do agree that Bobby is a perfect linemate for Lupul. Bobby's vision is outstanding.

Konopka will be to Ryan and Lupul, as Fedoruk is to Perry and Getzlaf.

I don't see how Konopka could be bad for that line.

So, is that out of Konopka's reach to be a solid 3rd liner in his career? I don't think so. I don't think it's out of the question anyway.
I think it is. In 10 years from now you compare their careers in no way do I see Konopka getting the edge. Marchant will score 10+ goals this year for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons. (last year he scored 9 I believe). He is a great defensive player, great at the PK. Konopka may one day be good defensively and a good PK'er but he won't be great at it. Marchant lacks a little on the offensive side at times but he averages 35-40 points a year which is fine considering what else he brings to the table.

When all is said and done, IMO Konopka will not come close to the career Marchant is having.

Konopka will be to Ryan and Lupul, as Fedoruk is to Perry and Getzlaf.

I don't see how Konopka could be bad for that line.
So in a couple of years Lupul will need a protector and at that a middleweight?

Fedoruk is nice to have on the kids line this year, but I'm hoping it doesn't last until next year to.

So in a couple of years Lupul will need a protector and at that a middleweight?

Fedoruk is nice to have on the kids line this year, but I'm hoping it doesn't last until next year to.

That's worst case scenario. I'm assuming Konopka will be better than Fedoruk, I don't know if you feel the same way. I don't think Lupul will need a protector by any means, I just think that Zenon would be a good fit to play alongside Joffrey. Of course this only happens if Ryan or another playmaking winger is on that line also.

I don't think Lupul will need a protector by any means
Ok well that is what Fedoruk is to Getz/Perry and you were saying Konopka would be to Lupul like Fedoruk is to them.

Konopka is probably better than Fedoruk, skill wise but it started out comparing him to Marchant. You agreed that Lupul should get off his line, but then put him on Konopka's, which to me isn't even a lateral move but a downgrade.

Ok well that is what Fedoruk is to Getz/Perry and you were saying Konopka would be to Lupul like Fedoruk is to them.

Konopka is probably better than Fedoruk, skill wise but it started out comparing him to Marchant. You agreed that Lupul should get off his line, but then put him on Konopka's, which to me isn't even a lateral move but a downgrade.

IMO, Konopka will be better than Marchant in two years. Especially when Lupul is paired up with Ryan, there isn't much pressure on Konopka to produce offensively. I've got to think if Konopka was playing on that line, he'd finish up with somewhere around the neighborhood of 15+30=45. Do you think that's a reasonable number?

I think it is. In 10 years from now you compare their careers in no way do I see Konopka getting the edge. Marchant will score 10+ goals this year for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons. (last year he scored 9 I believe). He is a great defensive player, great at the PK. Konopka may one day be good defensively and a good PK'er but he won't be great at it. Marchant lacks a little on the offensive side at times but he averages 35-40 points a year which is fine considering what else he brings to the table.

When all is said and done, IMO Konopka will not come close to the career Marchant is having.

Well let's see..

In 49 games with the Ducks Todd Marchant has 6 goals.

In 23 games with the Ducks Zenon Konopka has 4 goals.

So his career won't even come close to Marchants? Konopka played very well centering Lupul in the AHL. You can argue that Marchant plays very good D, blocks shots, and plays his role well. But from what I've seen from Konopka he plays with high intensity, good agitator, good checker, and he's solid defensively. He almost has as many goals as Marchant in his time with the Ducks and he's played 26 less games.

I'm not saying he's better right now by any means, but to say his career won't ever be as good as Marchant's doesn't make since to me. Since from what I've seen from him, he's more then just an energy guy. To me Marchant is a good 3rd liner, and I think Konopka could be the same in the future. To say that he will never have the career close to anything like Marchant's is stupid to me.

Ok well that is what Fedoruk is to Getz/Perry and you were saying Konopka would be to Lupul like Fedoruk is to them.

Konopka is probably better than Fedoruk, skill wise but it started out comparing him to Marchant. You agreed that Lupul should get off his line, but then put him on Konopka's, which to me isn't even a lateral move but a downgrade.

I don't think its a downgrade, but I don't like the fact of putting Lupul on a line with Konopka either. Put him with a playmaking center like Andymac or at least put him with the "twins".

Konopka was on pace to score 15+ goals with minimal icetime, that says a lot.

Defensively he will most likely reach Marchant but I feel Zenon will be better offensively and grit-wise when he reaches his potential.

Zenon played on the top like of Cincy Ducks last year with great results and he's currently averaging what 1.5PPG on the top line in Portland.

I see Zenon's potential as physical 3rd line center who can play almost any role from 4th line middleweight agitator a la Avery to 2nd line semi-powerwinger like Mike LeClerc.

I don't think its a downgrade, but I don't like the fact of putting Lupul on a line with Konopka either. Put him with a playmaking center like Andymac or at least put him with the "twins".

I AGREE that Lupul needs a playmaker alongside him. I just suggested trying Bobby Ryan once he's ready, so that takes care of his playmaker. Throw Z in there, and IMO, you've got a pretty good line.

We can't predict the future though, so this is just something to ponder.

To say that he will never have the career close to anything like Marchant's is stupid to me.
Well if he is to have a chance he better make the NHL soon, he's 25 now, how long will his career last? Marchant is an 11 year veteran who has consistently put up the same production year in and year out.

Marchant's regular season career stats- 823GP, 154G 254A for 408 points.

IMO I don't see Konopka coming close to those totals, and thats not even mentioning being a shutdown center and excellent PK man.

Konopka was on pace to score 15+ goals with minimal icetime, that says a lot.
It said so much he is back in the AHL. If you had seen the goals and when they were scored you have a better understanding.

I realize everyone wants Konopka to have success, as do I however saying he will be an upgrade over Marchant on Lupul's line to me is unrealistic. In 2-3 years yea he may be better than Marchant at that time (age), however thats not saying he will be better than Marchant is now, which is the whole debate.

Konopka played very well centering Lupul in the AHL.
Alot of players do well in the AHL. I think he is a step behind at the NHL level for his offense to take place. He has great hand/eye co-ordination, which got him on the PP earlier this year, other than that he showed zero offensive upside in his stint in Anaheim.

It said so much he is back in the AHL. If you had seen the goals and when they were scored you have a better understanding.

I've seen every Ducks goal this year thank you, maybe you will be explain what's wrong with the goals instead of trying to be a *****?

I know the 'twin line' seems like a great idea...if you add Penner to that line next year, it makes is more interesting

but what about also another line of the future? we say Lupul needs a playmaker right? and it wouldn't hurt to add a little grit

so, how about a second line of the future?

-Bobby Ryan --Ryan Shannon --Joffrey Lupul

If Lupul can switch to center (he can play all three forward positions) and Chistov could come back and do awesome in the new rules, that line would be more dangerous I think

--Bobby Ryan --Joffrey Lupul --Chistov