Opening Night Lineup Predictions

With Training Camp but four days away (God it feels great to type that) and the training camp roster out, we basically know what the coaching staff has to work with. So, let's all post what we think the lines and d-pairings will look like. Now you can have them any way you like, even including Scotty and Teemu if you believe they'll be on the team in three weeks. Anyhow, here's mine:

Kunitz McDonald Bertuzzi
Moen Getzlaf Perry
May Pahlsson* Niedermayer
Miller Marchant Ryan/Parros

Pronger O'Donnell
Schneider Beauchemin
Hnidy Huskins/DiPenta

Giguere*
Bryzgalov

Astrix obviously for Sammy and Jiggy because they may not be healthy by opening day. I think Jiggy will but Sammy doesn't look likely. In that event I think either Ryan Carter moves into the fourth line center spot with Marchy taking the third line. Now as you see I have two rookies on my fourth line and adding Carter would make three. I can almost guarantee Randy won't do that so I'm think either May gets slid down to put a veteran presence on the fourth line maybe Robbie moves into the pivot. I really can't see a fourth line with three rookies, especially since most believe Bobby Ryan isn't ready. But ask yourself this: Who will give you a better chance to score goals, Bobby Ryan or George Parros? Georgie may play because of Ivanans but my gut is telling me Bobby makes the trip to England.

Also with the fact that no LW has been brought in to replace Penner, Moen is our defacto second-line center. Now he did score 11 goals last year and added 7 more in the playoffs playing on a checking line. Last season he showed how much his skating and work ethic improved so you never now, he make prove to be effective offensively on a line with Getzy and Pers. God knows Travis skates better than Penner so this could bear some fruit.

Also feel free to update your predictions based on what transpires in camp.

That lineup is underwhelming...especially the forwards corps. Another impact scoring forward will be needed.

That lineup is underwhelming...especially the forwards corps. Another impact scoring forward will be needed.

Where's he going to come from though? Unless Teemu returns, this is what we've got.

Where's he going to come from though? Unless Teemu returns, this is what we've got.Has any news come on Burke possibly moving EDM 1st?

Where's he going to come from though? Unless Teemu returns, this is what we've got.

I dont know where it will come from or if it ever arrives at all...Im just saying another one is going to be needed if the Ducks want to repeat.

I dont know where it will come from or if it ever arrives at all...Im just saying another one is going to be needed if the Ducks want to repeat.

we might just need to roll the dice with bobby ryan sooner than expected,....put him one the second line in penners old spot......have marchant replace pahlsson on the 3rd line untill he recovers from surgery.

Has any news come on Burke possibly moving EDM 1st?

I don't think we will hear much about it until we know the status of Teemu and Scotty. This is the problem that Nieds is creating. You can't make any trades unless you know whether over 6 million will count towards the cap or not. So as far as opening night roster goes:

Bertuzzi-Getzlaf-Perry
Kunitz-McDonald-Ryan
Moen-Marchant-Niedermayer
May-Carter-Parros

Pronger-O'Donnell
Beauchemin-Schneider
Huskins-Hindy

Giguere
Bryzgalov
I don't think any of Pahlsson, S. Niedermayer, or Selanne will make the trip to London. And I think that bobby ryan will be with the team for the 10 game tryout and then will be sent down. May and Ryan may switch spots as well.

Has any news come on Burke possibly moving EDM 1st?

That pick has a great chance of being very, very nice. I would hope that Burke would wait things out a bit before he decided to shop it...

we might just need to roll the dice with bobby ryan sooner than expected,....put him one the second line in penners old spot......have marchant replace pahlsson on the 3rd line untill he recovers from surgery.

I could see this happening as well, since the Penner dealing and Selanne's departure I see Bobby Ryan making the team much sooner than we expected. Hopefully he worked on his skating this summer.

If Teemu's not coming back, I'd like to see us sign Mike Johnson.

Bertuzzi-Getzlaf-Perry
Kunitz-McDonald-Ryan
Moen-Marchant-Niedermayer
May-Carter-Parros

Pronger-O'Donnell
Beauchemin-Schneider
Huskins-Hindy



Looks about right. I just don't know how Ryan is going to be able to keep up with McDonald and Kunitz. They both fly up the ice and skating isn't exactly Ryan's strength.

Looks about right. I just don't know how Ryan is going to be able to keep up with McDonald and Kunitz. They both fly up the ice and skating isn't exactly Ryan's strength.

I know what you mean. I honestly don't expect Ryan to stick their very long, and I fully expect him back in the AHL after 10 games, but I believe these will be the lines opening night, however I don't think they will stay that way for long. It's really hard to predict lines right now though, mainly due to the fact that we have question marks surrounding big names such as Selanne and S.Niedermayer.

I know what you mean. I honestly don't expect Ryan to stick their very long, and I fully expect him back in the AHL after 10 games, but I believe these will be the lines opening night, however I don't think they will stay that way for long. It's really hard to predict lines right now though, mainly due to the fact that we have question marks surrounding big names such as Selanne and S.Niedermayer.
So you expect a first line RW to appear out of nowhere. Bobby Ryan is there to stay if Teemu retires. In a straight line and forward Bobby Ryan is quick enough to keep up with Andy Mac and Kuni. He's faster than Bertuzzi let's just put it that way.

Rather have Marchant on the top line than place Ryan there before he's ready.

I know what you mean. I honestly don't expect Ryan to stick their very long, and I fully expect him back in the AHL after 10 games, but I believe these will be the lines opening night, however I don't think they will stay that way for long. It's really hard to predict lines right now though, mainly due to the fact that we have question marks surrounding big names such as Selanne and S.Niedermayer.
Are you saying 10 games because of the extending of the contract/not counting as an accrued season rules? Because I'm pretty sure they doesn't apply to 20 year olds, this season counts no matter how many games he plays in the NHL.

In a straight line and forward Bobby Ryan is quick enough to keep up with Andy Mac and Kuni. He's faster than Bertuzzi let's just put it that way.

Bertuzzi isn't that slow actually. For his size he is a far better skater than Bobby Ryan.

Bertuzzi is one of the rare big power forwards that can be called "fast". Maybe fast isn't the word, but he's good on his skates, hes pretty quick for someone who weighs 250 lbs thats for sure.

At least he was.

If Ryan can become as good of a skater he'll put up some 90 point seasons too.

lmfao...http://youtube.com/watch?v=wGuD0_NME7k&mode=related&search=

Bertuzzi was a pretty good skater in Vancouver, but I certainly didn't see it in the Detroit series. I'm just hoping he was still affected by injury and that he's healed now.

Are you saying 10 games because of the extending of the contract/not counting as an accrued season rules? Because I'm pretty sure they doesn't apply to 20 year olds, this season counts no matter how many games he plays in the NHL.

If that's the case then I am mistaken. I thought a rookie could play the first 10 games and not count towards the cap. Bottom line is: Unless he has an amazing camp, Bobby Ryan will only see limited action on the Ducks this year.

And luckoftheduck.. I'm sorry but so far what we've out of Bobby Ryan, he's not as good as skater as Bert is.

Bertuzzi isn't that slow actually. For his size he is a far better skater than Bobby Ryan.

Relative size vs. Skating ability isn't relevant in this case. All that matters is speed and I think Bobby Ryan is faster than Todd Bertuzzi. We shall see come training camp, but it won't matter anyways because Bertuzzi is a much better fit with the TWins.

Rather have Marchant on the top line than place Ryan there before he's ready.

Ew...I'd rather not play regular season games than have Marchant on the top line. Without Selanne, that's just not going to work. There's not enough talent to make up for Marchant's lack of scoring ability on the first line.

If that's the case then I am mistaken. I thought a rookie could play the first 10 games and not count towards the cap. Bottom line is: Unless he has an amazing camp, Bobby Ryan will only see limited action on the Ducks this year.

And luckoftheduck.. I'm sorry but so far what we've out of Bobby Ryan, he's not as good as skater as Bert is.

Have you been to training camp to see him? Have you seen him play? I'm not trying to attack you here, but I'd like to know what you see that is different from what I see. I guess I'll see better when I'm down for training camp in a couple of weeks.

Relative size vs. Skating ability isn't relevant in this case. All that matters is speed and I think Bobby Ryan is faster than Todd Bertuzzi. We shall see come training camp, but it won't matter anyways because Bertuzzi is a much better fit with the TWins.
Bert's style fits with the twins, but he's a RW. And a few Vancouver fans have said that he hasn't looked that good on the left side, although he hasn't played there much. So it also depends on how well either Perry or Bertuzzi can play the left wing. My completely unfounded prediction is Perry is more able to move, but neither will.

Bertuzzi worked well with Naslund and Morrisson, so he has shown the ability to work well with fast skaters.


My forward predictions are close to thejoeman's
Kunitz-McDonald-Bertuzzi
Moen-Getzlaf-Perry
Miller-Marchant-Niedermayer
May-Carter-Parros

Pronger-Beauchemin
Schneider-OD
Hnidy-Huskins
DP

Giguere
Bryz

I'm assuming Nieds and Selanne are gone (permanently) and Pahlsson is out for the opener. I also wonder if they might keep Jiggy out for rest and to avoid the travel. Probably not, but they might. That 4th line is getting almost no time, and May will take some shifts in Miller's place.

I think the last thing we're likely to see is a breakup of the shutdown line, or a rookie placed on it. With our offense, well, defense is how we're going to win.

Relative size vs. Skating ability isn't relevant in this case. All that matters is speed and I think Bobby Ryan is faster than Todd Bertuzzi. We shall see come training camp, but it won't matter anyways because Bertuzzi is a much better fit with the TWins.

Bertuzzi is a pretty good skater regardless of size. Not sure where you got the idea that he wasn't.

Have you been to training camp to see him? Have you seen him play? I'm not trying to attack you here, but I'd like to know what you see that is different from what I see. I guess I'll see better when I'm down for training camp in a couple of weeks.I see Bobby Ryan play alot and he is NOT as good of a skater or as fast as Todd Bertuzzi.

I think the last thing we're likely to see is a breakup of the shutdown line, or a rookie placed on it. With our offense, well, defense is how we're going to win.

I agree with the thought that we'll have to focus on winning low scoring games, but my thoughts on moving Moen up are that:

1)He has a tiny bit of untapped potential. Not much, but more than whatever plugger they've been putting Getzlaf and Perry have had the past two years. Just look at his playoff performance. He'll be on the line for cycling and a defensive presence. Just help do the boardwork, feed Getzlaf and Perry when they go to the net, and tap in a few gimmes every once in awhile. And help them defend.

2) Spreading the young guys around. Sami and Rob are solid checkers and can help babysit for a rookie, I doubt we'd want Getzlaf and Perry babysitting for a rookie, or 2 rookies and Parros on the 4th line.

Bertuzzi is a pretty good skater regardless of size. Not sure where you got the idea that he wasn't.

I can see where he got the idea that Bertuzzi's slow if he was judging only from Bertuzzi's work in Detroit. His skating was downright glacial that series. Although he did show a knack for finding Perry wide open.

Kunitz-McDonald-Bertuzzi
Carter-Getzlaf-Perry
Moen-Marchant-Niedermayer
May-Ebbett-Parros

Pronger-O'Donnell
Beauchemin-Schneider
Huskins-Dipenta


Look for Ebbett's speed and skill to win a job in training camp!
Ryan Carter's shot and size make him a great fit for LW on Getzlaf's line....another thing for sure, May and Bertuzzi are brittle and will miss more than their share of games this season!

no way is carter playing on our second line this year.

no way is carter playing on our second line this year.
If Selanne doesn't come back, then someone who has never been a top 6 forward before will be one this season.

no way is carter playing on our second line this year.

agreed...Miller makes the top 6 before Carter.

Bobby Ryan's skating, or lack there of, is overrated!!!! He will do just fine. How many of you have actually seen him skate for more than 10 minutes and are not just jumping on the "Bobby can't skate" band wagon???

Bobby Ryan's skating, or lack there of, is overrated!!!! He will do just fine. How many of you have actually seen him skate for more than 10 minutes and are not just jumping on the "Bobby can't skate" band wagon???

A lot of us have seen a fair amount of him. Rookie games last season, camp last season, and pre-season games last season (I can't recall how many games he played, but I'm sure someone can). And then rookie games this past weekend - I think enough to have some opinions.

H.

Bobby Ryan's skating, or lack there of, is overrated!!!! He will do just fine. How many of you have actually seen him skate for more than 10 minutes and are not just jumping on the "Bobby can't skate" band wagon???
When even the sappiest, most forgiving posters among us can't think of anything better to say than "he's a work in progress", there's a problem.