Joakim Lindstrom

So i've heard from a story online that he could potentially find a spot on the top six forwards this year.... They claim that he is the 5th or 6th most offensively gifted players on the roster and therefore it makes sense. What does everyone think of that? I kind of doubt it judging by reading around your board. Also, does anyone know his cap number? Or is he in arbitration or something bc the site i use for salaries says he is currently RFA.

I highly doubt he will crack the top 6.

As it looks now our top 6 (assuming Selanne comes back) SHOULD look like this:

Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry
Kunitz-Morrison-Selanne

If Selanne comes back the only chance Lindstrom has at a top 6 opportunity is by way of injury or Bobby Ryan completely playing himself out of the spot. I dont really know what his intentions are if the situation occurs in which he finds himself not on the Ducks roster and rather in Iowa instead....be that Europe or asking for a trade. In my view I dont think he will and would play in Iowa. The reasoning behind wanting out of Columbus was the perception of a lack of confidence in him, and that wont be the case here, it will just be a case of too few spots.

The report is he signed a deal right after the trade but I personally dont know the cap number or if it was even released.

I bet he accepted his qualifying offer before he was traded or right after. My guess with him is he starts the year on the fourth line. He'll have plenty of opportunity to move up the roster but I think the key is he will be given an opportunity. But if he doesn't make the team I bet he'll head for Sweden.

Thats kinda the feeling i got from the various posts here. Thanks for the extra info atleast.

Thats kinda the feeling i got from the various posts here. Thanks for the extra info atleast.

The thing about Lindstrom with us though is the majority of us have seen very little of him but most importantly we haven't seen him skate with the team. Personally I'm pulling for him. We don't have that many young, offensively gifted players in our minor system so it's refreshing to know he may fit that bill. Most of our on-the-bubble prospects are of the checker variety.

I bet he accepted his qualifying offer before he was traded or right after. My guess with him is he starts the year on the fourth line. He'll have plenty of opportunity to move up the roster but I think the key is he will be given an opportunity. But if he doesn't make the team I bet he'll head for Sweden.

He's not a 4th line player at all, makes zero sense for him to play 4th line minutes with grinders.

He's not a 4th line player at all, makes zero sense for him to play 4th line minutes with grinders.

On a team that was third worst in offense last year he does. Nowhere is it written that ONLY grinders can play on the fourth line. Now I fully acknowledge that our fourth line has perdominately featured grinders and has likewise been effective. But the fact is May, Parros, Sutherby, Mowers, Miller and Wirtanen combined for 8 goals. Marchant was the most productive fourth liner with nine goals and we barely played on the fourth line and will probably be traded anyway. The fourth line needs to score more.

To me it's a waste of a talent to assume there are only 6 spots for offensive forwards on a hockey team. You need offense from your bottom six and this guy may provide that. He may not "grind" very well but neither did Mowers or Bochenski or Miller but they saw ice time and Lindstrom appears to be more talented then them. All I'm saying though is this guy could play on our fourth line. Whether he does or not remains to be seen. But to dismiss him entirely before we've seen him at a single practice yet is wrong.

If Selanne doesn't come back, I expect Lindstrom to get a long look in the top 6, either with the twins or on Kunitz' line (he and Ryan may be juggled around on the two lines for a bit). I hope he is as talented as I've read, because it would be nice to have a young player who has that touch. (Not to mention its a nice, brief, departure from the endless young grinders we have. Nothing against them, but its good to have a scoring/finesse player in the mix)

If Selanne is coming back, Ryan and Lindstrom will have a battle for that last spot. I think Lindstrom is beyond the AHL right now, and if he doesn't make it I fear he may go back to Europe for the season. It'll be interesting to see, to say the least.

On a team that was third worst in offense last year he does. Nowhere is it written that ONLY grinders can play on the fourth line. Now I fully acknowledge that our fourth line has perdominately featured grinders and has likewise been effective. But the fact is May, Parros, Sutherby, Mowers, Miller and Wirtanen combined for 8 goals. Marchant was the most productive fourth liner with nine goals and we barely played on the fourth line and will probably be traded anyway. The fourth line needs to score more.

To me it's a waste of a talent to assume there are only 6 spots for offensive forwards on a hockey team. You need offense from your bottom six and this guy may provide that. He may not "grind" very well but neither did Mowers or Bochenski or Miller but they saw ice time and Lindstrom appears to be more talented then them. All I'm saying though is this guy could play on our fourth line. Whether he does or not remains to be seen. But to dismiss him entirely before we've seen him at a single practice yet is wrong.

That's an interesting point. I wonder how he'd take to playing on the 4th line? He'd definitely get less minutes than on the top 6, but if he's paired with the right player (Sutherby perhaps?), he could provide a scoring threat from the bottom 6. That all remains to be seen though. If he really wants to play in the NHL, he'd take it.

Sadly, Lindstrom may very well be the 5th or 6th forward on the team in offensive ability. That's more an indication of our lack of offensive depth than his skill. Getz, Perry, Kunitz, Morrison are ahead of him. Teemu as well if he returns. He may or may not be better than Ryan.

I'm almost expecting Ryan to be kicked down to the AHL just for salary purposes. At least initially. Ryan's cap hit is like 1.9 million, Lindstrom should be far less. They might just wait awhile until Ryan's cap hit is smaller just by missing days or maybe even by bonus ineligibility.

Here's a random cap fact. While everyone talks about how we're over "3.2 million above the cap," and this is true the day the season starts if Ryan is on the big club, during the offseason Ryan only counts for a small fraction of his salary. Like 1/4 or something, equal to the fraction of last season that he was on the NHL roster. It doesn't really matter much because there's still the 10% offseason overage, but we might technically have more money than expected to sign Teemu now if need be.

No one knows Lindstrom's cap number, and it's never actually been confirmed that he's been signed. The day he was traded for, Bob Murray said that they had "agreed to terms to a 1 year deal." But there never was a report that he has actually signed a contract. Previous post of mine explaining a little more (http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=15157621). Maybe they're not actually signing it to keep some offseason cap-space? Maybe they're waiting until training camp and will give him a tryout contract, and allow him to move to Europe or something if he doesn't make the team?

I've said it before, I doubt Lindstrom is on the 4th line. At the time of the trade, Bob Murray is clearly under the impression that the 4th line is an energy line. And that Lindstrom cannot fill that role. So unless he's clueless as to what Carlyle wants to do or Carlyle changes his mind, the 4th line is likely out. And besides, you could have in-prime Gretzky and Lemieux on that line, and it wouldn't score any more points because of the icetime they get (and with how they sit out for long stretches of games to lose any rhythm). Unless the 2nd or 3rd lines get significantly less ice time, offense from the 4th line will be a total non-factor.

On a team that was third worst in offense last year he does. Nowhere is it written that ONLY grinders can play on the fourth line. Now I fully acknowledge that our fourth line has perdominately featured grinders and has likewise been effective.

Yes but he will have to play with grinders no matter what and won't get much icetime there.

Yes, we need more scoring but 4th line is not the line with biggest pressure to improve, that goes to 2nd and 3rd lines.

Yes but he will have to play with grinders no matter what and won't get much icetime there.

Yes, we need more scoring but 4th line is not the line with biggest pressure to improve, that goes to 2nd and 3rd lines.

All lines need to improve, that's for sure. But if we had just a little more offense from the fourth line they would get more ice-time and we'd be able to roll all four lines regularly. But that's still not to say that there won't be grinders on the line. I mean would a line of Lindstrom-Carter-Sutherby really be so bad? Carter and Sutherby get in the corners and finish their checks. I don't think having someone will a little bit of talent can hurt them in that aspect. I mean I can only stomach watching Georgie fumble with a puck in his feet so many times.

But remember, our fourth line 05-06 was mainly Fridge-Getzy-Perry and the year after that Ryan Shannon spent almost the majority of the season(don't ask me how) on the fourth line. So Carlyle isn't opposed to putting skill guys on the fourth line as long as they put in the effort. We'll have to wait and see with Lindstrom.

only way is if Bobby isn't converted to LW with Getz and Perry and i'll be disappointed if Ryan is not put in a position to succeed with those two because what he's weak at, Getz and Perry are exceptional at, plus he'll shoot the puck and that line needs a shooter.

I find the Lindstrom trade curious to say the least in that he was given a long look in Columbus and did very well in Syracuse and, does not to seem as yet to have signed a contract that I can find. Joakim is a tweener like a Platt who has a bucket full of goals in the AHL and limited success in the NHL. Bobby Ryan is a lot further along than Lindstrom and will not be sent back to the AHL. If Bobby Ryan were on any other team in the NHL he would have played at least 50 games last season. I still think the Ducks want a lot of naysayers to eat their words when Bobby lights up the NHL next season.

Lindstrom will go to Europe if he gets the slightest sniff of the AHL. That's why it made very little sense for him to be traded to a veteran team like Anaheim. Joakim could not make the cut in Columbus and there is no reason to suspect he is anywhere near a top six forward on the Ducks. Like the Platt trade back in November both players are tweeners on their second contract having paid their dues in the AHL. The Ducks do not develope young players; they play to win unlike what had happened with Platt and Lindstrom in Columbus. If the Ducks need a legit top six forward they will find one via the trade route; the only new forward next season and a legit Calder candidate is Ryan. Unfortunately Stamkos will most likely win this trophy.

Lindstrom will go to Europe if he gets the slightest sniff of the AHL. That's why it made very little sense for him to be traded to a veteran team like Anaheim. Joakim could not make the cut in Columbus and there is no reason to suspect he is anywhere near a top six forward on the Ducks. Like the Platt trade back in November both players are tweeners on their second contract having paid their dues in the AHL. The Ducks do not develope young players; they play to win unlike what had happened with Platt and Lindstrom in Columbus. If the Ducks need a legit top six forward they will find one via the trade route; the only new forward next season and a legit Calder candidate is Ryan. Unfortunately Stamkos will most likely win this trophy.

Excuse me, then how do you explain Getzlaf, Perry, Kunitz, Carter, Ryan, and Hiller? Last I check they were all brought up as prospects for the Ducks.

Back to Lindstrom, I don't find the trade puzzling at all. Simply because he was buried in the system of a mediocre team and didn't want to play there anymore doesn't mean he can't succeed here. I think an advantage he has over Platt is he's bigger. Platt is really small and may not have the speed or hands to compete at the NHL level. I'm not saying Lindstom does but he's at least built for the NHL better than Platt. He'll be given a shot I have no doubt about that. If he fails and goes back to Europe big deal. We'll lose a 7th round pick in 2010.

only way is if Bobby isn't converted to LW with Getz and Perry and i'll be disappointed if Ryan is not put in a position to succeed with those two because what he's weak at, Getz and Perry are exceptional at, plus he'll shoot the puck and that line needs a shooter.
Not directed at you specifically, but you mention putting Ryan at LW. And I notice a lot of people talking about moving Ryan to LW to go with the twins, typically while assuming Selanne returns.

Now that sounds nice in that Ryan's too slow to play with Selanne, and that Getz and Perry are used to succeeding even while dragging around a grinder. And Bertuzzi adjusted to a different side semi-successfully to play with Getz and Perry. But for a few reasons, I think Ryan gets dropped to the 4th line if Selanne returns (but that's good for those of you wanting more offense out of the 4th).

First of all, Ryan is more of a playmaker than a shooter. He even said so himself http://www.theahl.com/pagebank/index.html?id=7650. "I guess my offensive instincts are probably my best asset. You know, the way I’m able to control the puck through traffic and find open guys, and certainly try to be a threat to score as much as I can. But I think out of all the offensive instincts, my vision and my passing are probably two things that kind of hopefully separate me from the pack a little bit." Now this may just be my lack of hockey knowledge, but it seems like a playmaker would prefer to play on his natural side. And while it would make it easier for Getz and Perry to bounce in pucks off of him on the left side, again he's more of a passer than a shooter.

Also with our team's forechecking style, especially stong when the toedrag twins are playing, it against seems to me like Ryan would be better on the right. It seems to me like it would be easier to drag the puck along the boards on the forehand. Hopefully he's dragging the puck toward the goal, which would be on the forehand on the right side.

Third, he's played RW most of his career. He's having enough problems playing without the puck or being where he needs to be. I don't think it's a good idea making him learn a new position at the same time he's trying to learn the NHL game.

Fourth, he's still somewhat of a liability, and a rookie. Pahlsson's and Getz's lines get the hardest minutes. I don't want him getting in over his head. Also consider that Getz, Perry, Lupul, and Penner all spent most of their first years on the 4th lines, for similar reasons. Kunitz is the only real exception, having played himself onto the 1st line with Selanne. The "2nd line" would be better for him, as it typically gets softer and lesser minutes.

In short, I'm not expecting Selanne or Ryan to have much effect on Lindstrom. Carter or Miller, on the other hand, seem to be more in direct competition with him. If Selanne returns, I'm really expecting Ryan to be moved to the 4th line, and doubt he'll be moved to the left side.

Not directed at you specifically, but you mention putting Ryan at LW. And I notice a lot of people talking about moving Ryan to LW to go with the twins, typically while assuming Selanne returns.

Now that sounds nice in that Ryan's too slow to play with Selanne, and that Getz and Perry are used to succeeding even while dragging around a grinder. And Bertuzzi adjusted to a different side semi-successfully to play with Getz and Perry. But for a few reasons, I think Ryan gets dropped to the 4th line if Selanne returns (but that's good for those of you wanting more offense out of the 4th).

First of all, Ryan is more of a playmaker than a shooter. He even said so himself http://www.theahl.com/pagebank/index.html?id=7650. "I guess my offensive instincts are probably my best asset. You know, the way I’m able to control the puck through traffic and find open guys, and certainly try to be a threat to score as much as I can. But I think out of all the offensive instincts, my vision and my passing are probably two things that kind of hopefully separate me from the pack a little bit." Now this may just be my lack of hockey knowledge, but it seems like a playmaker would prefer to play on his natural side. And while it would make it easier for Getz and Perry to bounce in pucks off of him on the left side, again he's more of a passer than a shooter.

Also with our team's forechecking style, especially stong when the toedrag twins are playing, it against seems to me like Ryan would be better on the right. It seems to me like it would be easier to drag the puck along the boards on the forehand. Hopefully he's dragging the puck toward the goal, which would be on the forehand on the right side.

Third, he's played RW most of his career. He's having enough problems playing without the puck or being where he needs to be. I don't think it's a good idea making him learn a new position at the same time he's trying to learn the NHL game.

Fourth, he's still somewhat of a liability, and a rookie. Pahlsson's and Getz's lines get the hardest minutes. I don't want him getting in over his head. Also consider that Getz, Perry, Lupul, and Penner all spent most of their first years on the 4th lines, for similar reasons. Kunitz is the only real exception, having played himself onto the 1st line with Selanne. The "2nd line" would be better for him, as it typically gets softer and lesser minutes.

In short, I'm not expecting Selanne or Ryan to have much effect on Lindstrom. Carter or Miller, on the other hand, seem to be more in direct competition with him. If Selanne returns, I'm really expecting Ryan to be moved to the 4th line, and doubt he'll be moved to the left side.

I understand where you're coming from, but are you expecting these lines then?

Kunitz-Getzlaf-Perry
Lindstrom-Morrison-Selanne
Moen-Pahlsson-R.Niedermayer
Sutherby/Parros/May-Carter-Ryan

That's if Marchant is traded. I can see this maybe if May and Marchant are both traded away, but if both are not traded then I think one of Lindstrom or Ryan will be in the AHL. I really can't see both of these guys being in the same lineup, unless injuries happen or both have amazing camps.

I understand where you're coming from, but are you expecting these lines then?

Kunitz-Getzlaf-Perry
Lindstrom-Morrison-Selanne
Moen-Pahlsson-R.Niedermayer
Sutherby/Parros/May-Carter-Ryan

That's if Marchant is traded. I can see this maybe if May and Marchant are both traded away, but if both are not traded then I think one of Lindstrom or Ryan will be in the AHL. I really can't see both of these guys being in the same lineup, unless injuries happen or both have amazing camps.
Ha. I got a little carried away. I'm not sure exactly what I expect as a whole, because there's a lot of little battles/trades that need to be sorted out. It seems almost impossible to predict the entire line structure. I can make predictions about each battle though.

Actually, if Selanne returns, I think Ryan will be in the AHL. Assuming the NHLPA doesn't decline its option to end the CBA. Mostly as a cap thing since there might not be a performance bonus cushion (I don't know if they fixed the typo or not). I'd expect him to get called up for game 42, when a number of bonuses are no longer achievable (just like how Ryan was sent down and Teemu's contract signed a day or two after it became impossible for him to play 42 games last season). If the NHLPA DOES decline, then Ryan goes on line 4 and Teemu gets a number of bonuses on the thought that Ryan won't make his bonuses and Teemu can get that money.

Lindstrom/Carter/Miller/Sutherby/Moen/Ebbett fight it out for 2nd line LW.

A guy or 2 on the 4th line gets traded away or waived. Maybe even recall-waived.

Lindstrom makes the 2nd line or goes to Europe.


But here's a guess anyways:
Kunitz-Getz-Perry
(2nd LW cluster****)-Morrison-Selanne
Moen-Pahlsson-Niedermayer
Suts-Carter-Mary/Parros/Ryan after game 42

Not to turn this into a Bobby Ryan discussion but he won't get sent to the AHL unless his performance dictates it. If he is truly one of our top 6 forwards, be it as a left wing or right wing, he'll be here. You don't win hockey games when you're more concerned about money. I have no idea how Bobby's bonuses work towards the cap but I'm sure McNab will figure out how to make it work. We need Bobby to be good this year, period. We have little invested in Lindstrom so anything we get out of him is simply a bonus.

But neither Ryan nor Lindstrom should be sent to the minors if one of them is just beat out of a top-6 spot assuming Teemu comes back. I really can't can't fathom having Brian Sutherby or Brad May here instead of one of those two. Not when we are so offensively challenged.

Not to turn this into a Bobby Ryan discussion but he won't get sent to the AHL unless his performance dictates it. If he is truly one of our top 6 forwards, be it as a left wing or right wing, he'll be here. You don't win hockey games when you're more concerned about money. I have no idea how Bobby's bonuses work towards the cap but I'm sure McNab will figure out how to make it work. We need Bobby to be good this year, period. We have little invested in Lindstrom so anything we get out of him is simply a bonus.

But neither Ryan nor Lindstrom should be sent to the minors if one of them is just beat out of a top-6 spot assuming Teemu comes back. I really can't can't fathom having Brian Sutherby or Brad May here instead of one of those two. Not when we are so offensively challenged.
You're missing the point that I'm saying that I believe Ryan RW>Ryan LW. If he has to play on LW, I don't think he is one of our top 6 forwards. Couple that with the money, and it makes some sense to send him down.

And in a cap world, you do have to be "concerned about money." Why else would we buy out Bertuzzi or decline to match Penner? Especially if that saved money allows us to re-sign Teemu.

Joakim is a tweener like a Platt who has a bucket full of goals in the AHL and limited success in the NHL.

I think that's unfair to say, the guy mostly played fourth line minutes on a team that finished 13th in the WC.

Take a look at his game-by-game log and compare his production to his TOI:
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8470152&service=page&tab=gbgt

I agree that he's not infront of Ryan though, and I don't expect him to be on the 2nd line if Teemu's back. If he was to be given 2nd line minutes in 82 games with us, I wouldn't be surprised if he scored 40+ points, although 30-35 points would be more expected. I think he's in a bettter position to take that 2nd line spot than Carter is, since Carter is better suited for the center position.

You're missing the point that I'm saying that I believe Ryan RW>Ryan LW.
This is probably true, but the Ducks do not need another RW at this moment with Perry, Selanne, and 10,000,000 4th liners. So Ryan LW > 0 ; which is why I am sure he will at least get a good look at playing that position (that look might be in the AHL, but I have a feeling it will be in NHL pre-season games or start of the season).

This is probably true, but the Ducks do not need another RW at this moment with Perry, Selanne, and 10,000,000 4th liners. So Ryan LW > 0 ; which is why I am sure he will at least get a good look at playing that position (that look might be in the AHL, but I have a feeling it will be in NHL pre-season games or start of the season).
Yeah I'm sure they'll give him a look. A preseason game or two, training camp scrimmages and such. I'm just predicting that he won't stick at LW. I'm even more doubtful that he'll start the regular season there.

And while you're right that Ryan LW > 0, I'm also implying (predicting) that Lindstrom LW > Ryan LW, Carter LW > Ryan LW, Marchant LW > Ryan LW, etc. Maybe even Ebbett LW > Ryan LW.

I don't want to argue it too hard because it's not a firm prediction. But it's my guess.

Interesting fact, though. The Ducks aren't stacked at RW. We don't even have many right-shooting forwards (or defensemen for that matter). The only right shooting wings are Perry and Parros. Rob plays at RW, so that's 3 (actually... it just occurs to me that I don't know who plays RW on the checking line. I always thought it was Rob, but Moen is listed on the Ducks depth chart. Who is it?). If Teemu returns that's 4. The million and 1 4th liners we have are left-shooting centers. Although I believe Suts and May can play right.

It's not any better down on the farm either. We've got Bailey and Bodie. That's it. Boguniecki is a C that shoots R. If Burke wants the C*H*O*P*S to win, he's going to have to sign a RW scorer for them. Or send down Ryan.

You're missing the point that I'm saying that I believe Ryan RW>Ryan LW. If he has to play on LW, I don't think he is one of our top 6 forwards. Couple that with the money, and it makes some sense to send him down.

And in a cap world, you do have to be "concerned about money." Why else would we buy out Bertuzzi or decline to match Penner? Especially if that saved money allows us to re-sign Teemu.

I said MORE concerned about money. Of course you have to be concerned about money but if you're making a hockey decision primarily because of dollars you're doing a disservice to your team. If Bertuzzi 60-70 points last year he'd still be here or least have been traded rather than bought out. What I'm saying is Ryan only gets sent down because his play is poor during camp. But I'll find that to be shocking considering he made the team last year out of camp, progressed great during the season and has amped up his training this summer.

And I know you really don't want to argue about him playing LW but I totally disagree. If a player wants to stick around he'll play another position. It happens all the time. Bertuzzi went to the left side last year. Robbie and Marchy have been doing since they've been here. The only guys that are really tied to their spot are snipers. But we can debate this til we're blue in the face and we won't know until camp. All I'm saying is I think he'll be fine as a LW.

Yeah I'm sure they'll give him a look. A preseason game or two, training camp scrimmages and such. I'm just predicting that he won't stick at LW. I'm even more doubtful that he'll start the regular season there.

And while you're right that Ryan LW > 0, I'm also implying (predicting) that Lindstrom LW > Ryan LW, Carter LW > Ryan LW, Marchant LW > Ryan LW, etc. Maybe even Ebbett LW > Ryan LW.

I don't want to argue it too hard because it's not a firm prediction. But it's my guess.
[main board mode]WELL YOUR WRONG DAMN IT!!!!

Don't you know anything about hockey?!?!?!?! It is obviously Perry LW > Pahlsson LW > Carter LW > Stone Hands Nieds LW > Giguere LW > Huskins LW > Carlyle LW > puck boy LW > Ryan LW > Burke LW you fool!!!

Don't get me started on how bad that cheating Burke, who is the worst GM ever, sucks at LW!!!![/main board mode]

It may be the way you posted, it is all speculation at this point. I am sure all the names you mentioned with get their chance as LW on lines 1 & 2, and Carlyle will choose who he things is the best one.

Interesting fact, though. The Ducks aren't stacked at RW. We don't even have many right-shooting forwards (or defensemen for that matter). The only right shooting wings are Perry and Parros. Rob plays at RW, so that's 3 (actually... it just occurs to me that I don't know who plays RW on the checking line. I always thought it was Rob, but Moen is listed on the Ducks depth chart. Who is it?). If Teemu returns that's 4. The million and 1 4th liners we have are left-shooting centers. Although I believe Suts and May can play right.

It's not any better down on the farm either. We've got Bailey and Bodie. That's it. Boguniecki is a C that shoots R. If Burke wants the C*H*O*P*S to win, he's going to have to sign a RW scorer for them. Or send down Ryan.
The Ducks have more people who normally play RW then they do LW was my only point. And just because someone shoots Right does not mean they play better on RW.

I said MORE concerned about money. Of course you have to be concerned about money but if you're making a hockey decision primarily because of dollars you're doing a disservice to your team. If Bertuzzi 60-70 points last year he'd still be here or least have been traded rather than bought out. What I'm saying is Ryan only gets sent down because his play is poor during camp. But I'll find that to be shocking considering he made the team last year out of camp, progressed great during the season and has amped up his training this summer.

And I know you really don't want to argue about him playing LW but I totally disagree. If a player wants to stick around he'll play another position. It happens all the time. Bertuzzi went to the left side last year. Robbie and Marchy have been doing since they've been here. The only guys that are really tied to their spot are snipers. But we can debate this til we're blue in the face and we won't know until camp. All I'm saying is I think he'll be fine as a LW.
OK fine, let's worry first and foremost about icing the best team. So maybe that means Ryan's on the team as he's one of the more skilled offensive guys. But oh wait, there's a salary cap that we're already over. And Ryan's salary makes it extremely hard to fit in other guys, like say Selanne, without lopping off other important contributors. So while Ryan may be better than anyone else we have at LW (even though I don't believe it, but I'll play along), having him up might mean we don't have Selanne at RW, or that we're weaker at multiple other positions.

Back to position switches. Bertuzzi isn't a good example, considering he still failed after switching. And besides, while it was the opposite wing that he normally plays at, it actually moved him to the side left shooting players normally play at. Don't forget that Bertuzzi wasn't also learning to even play in the NHL.

But you're right that some players certainly have shown the ability to switch sides. Maybe Ryan can do it, but I'm doubting it because of the three reasons that I've already detailed. But despite the doubts, it's still worth a try. You never know until you try it. Doesn't mean I can't predict that it will fail.
The Ducks have more people who normally play RW then they do LW was my only point. And just because someone shoots Right does not mean they play better on RW.
There's an interesting depth thing with the Ducks. They are sorely missing depth at RW. But only depth guys, as (hopefully) Selanne and Perry nicely fill out the scoring positions, pushing Ryan out. And not much in the way of prospects either.

At LW, they lack top end, with only Kunitz being a legit, proven, or even expected top 6er. But they have boatloads of LWs in general. Kunitz, Moen, May, Lindstrom, Marchant (fill in), Suts. Same goes with the prospects: MacMillan, Beleskey, Miller, Birner, Dingle, Donally, Brittain. And most of the centers, who often switch to wing after being drafted, are lefties so one would expect that they'd become LWs like MacMillan did.

It's like opposite situations.

Not directed at you specifically, but you mention putting Ryan at LW. And I notice a lot of people talking about moving Ryan to LW to go with the twins, typically while assuming Selanne returns.

Now that sounds nice in that Ryan's too slow to play with Selanne, and that Getz and Perry are used to succeeding even while dragging around a grinder. And Bertuzzi adjusted to a different side semi-successfully to play with Getz and Perry. But for a few reasons, I think Ryan gets dropped to the 4th line if Selanne returns (but that's good for those of you wanting more offense out of the 4th).

First of all, Ryan is more of a playmaker than a shooter. He even said so himself http://www.theahl.com/pagebank/index.html?id=7650. "I guess my offensive instincts are probably my best asset. You know, the way I’m able to control the puck through traffic and find open guys, and certainly try to be a threat to score as much as I can. But I think out of all the offensive instincts, my vision and my passing are probably two things that kind of hopefully separate me from the pack a little bit." Now this may just be my lack of hockey knowledge, but it seems like a playmaker would prefer to play on his natural side. And while it would make it easier for Getz and Perry to bounce in pucks off of him on the left side, again he's more of a passer than a shooter.

Also with our team's forechecking style, especially stong when the toedrag twins are playing, it against seems to me like Ryan would be better on the right. It seems to me like it would be easier to drag the puck along the boards on the forehand. Hopefully he's dragging the puck toward the goal, which would be on the forehand on the right side.

Third, he's played RW most of his career. He's having enough problems playing without the puck or being where he needs to be. I don't think it's a good idea making him learn a new position at the same time he's trying to learn the NHL game.

Fourth, he's still somewhat of a liability, and a rookie. Pahlsson's and Getz's lines get the hardest minutes. I don't want him getting in over his head. Also consider that Getz, Perry, Lupul, and Penner all spent most of their first years on the 4th lines, for similar reasons. Kunitz is the only real exception, having played himself onto the 1st line with Selanne. The "2nd line" would be better for him, as it typically gets softer and lesser minutes.

In short, I'm not expecting Selanne or Ryan to have much effect on Lindstrom. Carter or Miller, on the other hand, seem to be more in direct competition with him. If Selanne returns, I'm really expecting Ryan to be moved to the 4th line, and doubt he'll be moved to the left side.
My theory is, with Getzlaf and Perry he doesn't really have a set side to play because those two cycle so much. There would be an adjustment period but he could do it and he'd still get shots from his strong side anyways.

the playmaking stuff, I think the coaching staff would push him to play a shoot first game and trust his shot and hands. Unless Lindstrom is a sniper we don't have many better options to try.

If Bobby is on the 4th line it might be a waste if he's with the May's of the world. Give him a shot and let him sink or swim. I'd rather he play some hard minutes with talent, than softer minutes with guys with little offensive ability.

There are no perfect solutions for us my guess is we will experiment alot this year.

There's an interesting depth thing with the Ducks. They are sorely missing depth at RW. But only depth guys, as (hopefully) Selanne and Perry nicely fill out the scoring positions, pushing Ryan out...

At LW, they lack top end, with only Kunitz being a legit, proven, or even expected top 6er.
There's an interesting thing with your argument in that you are making my point for me in the above quote.

OK fine, let's worry first and foremost about icing the best team. So maybe that means Ryan's on the team as he's one of the more skilled offensive guys. But oh wait, there's a salary cap that we're already over. And Ryan's salary makes it extremely hard to fit in other guys, like say Selanne, without lopping off other important contributors. So while Ryan may be better than anyone else we have at LW (even though I don't believe it, but I'll play along), having him up might mean we don't have Selanne at RW, or that we're weaker at multiple other positions.

Back to position switches. Bertuzzi isn't a good example, considering he still failed after switching. And besides, while it was the opposite wing that he normally plays at, it actually moved him to the side left shooting players normally play at. Don't forget that Bertuzzi wasn't also learning to even play in the NHL.

But you're right that some players certainly have shown the ability to switch sides. Maybe Ryan can do it, but I'm doubting it because of the three reasons that I've already detailed. But despite the doubts, it's still worth a try. You never know until you try it. Doesn't mean I can't predict that it will fail..

Burke and McNab will make it possible to have both Bobby and Teemu on this team. That's all there is to it. Also, we as interested but non-connected observers really don't know the actually status of the Ducks cap. Plus, let's be realistic here. If Teemu comes back Todd Marchant is going to be traded ss much as I wish that weren't the case. In the end Burkie and McNab are going to make it work, they have to. We need Bobby to be good this year and I think he's going to.

And this whole switching to LW stuff, it's not that big of a deal. Yes, players have their position they prefer and are used to playing. But to suggest he probably won't be successful there, after all of training camp to get used to it is silly. Bertuzzi didn't falter last year because of switching to LW, on the contrary he'll tell you switching was the best decision he made. The dude simply has lost his game. But moving positions just takes some getting used to. It's still the same game and they still go in the same direction.

Furthermore Bobby is left-handed though he shoots right. Personally, as I am also left-handed I prefer the left side of the ice. It's easier to make passes and to shield the puck with your strong hand. I think if any wingers can switch from the right side to the left it's a left-handed person. You can flame this all you won't but I speak from experience. But bottom line, if Bobby is told he has to make the team as a left winger and his right winger is Teemu Selanne, I think he'll adapt.

There's an interesting thing with your argument in that you are making my point for me in the above quote.
Yeah I wasn't really arguing against your point per se. I was just taking your comment as a springboard to make an observation. Your point is both right and wrong. You're wrong in that there are more LWers than RWs both in the big team and in the system, but you're right in that there are more top 6 RWs than LWs.

perry to LW anyone? i know his toe drag wont work as well, but with his good shot it could give him more shot attempts, at a better angle have you, if all he has to do is cut to the middle a little and shoot between the dots. either way, i want all three of our bigger players on the same line, i believe perry-getz-ryan or any form of that can dominant at the pro level regardless of who is on what wing. a 2nd line of whoever-morrison- ryan would be horrible IMO unless that whoever is a poven scorer, and that is of course assuming teemu doesnt return even though it seems like a good chance he will.

You're wrong in that there are more LWers than RWs both in the big team and in the system
I never mentioned prospects as they shouldn't count to what the big team has now, and the only reason you are coming up with more LWers is that you are adding centers who are left handed to your LW column, which is not really accurate.

perry to LW anyone?
The problem with Perry to LW is that a big chunk of his and Getz game happens on the board, and moving Perry to LW weakens his play along the board. It might be worth a shot trying him at that position, but, with Perry's style of play, I don't think it will work. Trying to move Selanne to LW I think would work better given his style of play.

perry to LW anyone? i know his toe drag wont work as well, but with his good shot it could give him more shot attempts, at a better angle have you, if all he has to do is cut to the middle a little and shoot between the dots. either way, i want all three of our bigger players on the same line, i believe perry-getz-ryan or any form of that can dominant at the pro level regardless of who is on what wing. a 2nd line of whoever-morrison- ryan would be horrible IMO unless that whoever is a poven scorer, and that is of course assuming teemu doesnt return even though it seems like a good chance he will.
Perry to LW might work. I thought about it for a little too. I decided against it because, as you said, the toe drag wouldn't work. But he does shoot so it may make sense. And unlike Ryan, he doesn't have to worry about learning a new position and how to play in the NHL at the same time. The only problem is it might mess with his boardwork a little.

Like camel suggests, Selanne to LW might also work. Not on the PP, but otherwise he could do it. But as the other side of the coin as Ryan, Selanne's been at RW all his life. It might be hard to change him.

I never mentioned prospects as they shouldn't count to what the big team has now, and the only reason you are coming up with more LWers is that you are adding centers who are left handed to your LW column, which is not really accurate.
Well it depends on what you call Lindstrom. He's a C by NHL.com and a RW/LW by TSN, but he's called a LW by the Ducks when they acquired him (link (http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=368417&page=NewsPage&service=page)). Don't forget that Rob is also a C by according to nhl.com, and he hasn't really been a center since joining the Ducks. I had assumed that Lindstrom was a LW, making it 4 true LWs (May, Lindstrom, Kunitz, Moen) and 3 true RWs (Perry, Parros, Rob).

Even if you add Selanne, it means I'm wrong in that there aren't more LWs, but you're still wrong because you said there are more RWs. Whatever, it's some stupid semantics thing.

Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod.

Like camel suggests, Selanne to LW might also work. Not on the PP, but otherwise he could do it. But as the other side of the coin as Ryan, Selanne's been at RW all his life. It might be hard to change him.
Doesn't he often play LW on the powerplay already?

He shoots right and hangs on the left side of the net often on powerplays.

Doesn't he often play LW on the powerplay already?

He shoots right and hangs on the left side of the net often on powerplays.

Yes you are right.

Doesn't he often play LW on the powerplay already?

He shoots right and hangs on the left side of the net often on powerplays.
Yes. He plays the left half wall or down in by the goal line, pretty much the entire time when he's not in transition. I'm not sure what I was thinking.