Are the Ducks better or worse?

I figured this might be something to talk about.

The Ducks added much needed offense with Lupul and Koivu, but lost 2 of their top 4 D in Pronger and Beauchemin.

Do you think they will be better this year than they were last year?

The Ducks should be about even or a bit better than they were in the regular season. As for the playoffs, we'll have to wait and see.

The team will be better off. We saw it ourselves when we had the best defense in the league we were still .500ish. Defense can keep them close, but if you can't put goals in the net, you will not win. I think our goals +/- will go up by 50 from last year.

Looking at the stats from the last 3 seasons:

GF GA
08-09 2.90 2.87
07-08 2.40 2.24
06-07 3.10 2.42

We really need to have the difference about a 1/2 a goal for the season. Even with great D in 07-08, without goals in the net, it doesn't help. I think the offensive additions combined with solid vets on D should get us to that .5+ GF for the season

SoB

Surely the team will be more fun to watch with the increased scoring depth, but I am not a believer this team is better than last years. Pronger and Beauchemin left big shoes to fill and I see a lot of scrambles in their own zone this year. Hope I am wrong though....

Probably a bit worse off right now.

But miles better long term, which I can love with.

We will have a better team up to the trade deadline next year at least. Beauchemin was out most of the season last year anyway so the only real piece that we have lost from last season is Pronger. In the meantime we've gained Lupul and Koivu on the second line. Scratch that, we've actually gained a second line.

The very fact that we now have two legitimate scoring lines instead of just one makes us a better team even with the loss of Pronger.

I was actually going to make this same thread last night, but I posted so many times in other threads that I didn't feel like it. A couple of things needs to be taken into consideration though. The Beauchemin injury helped us last year. It enabled us to have Ryan on the team as well. So realisticly we couldn't have that team last year. We went into the playoffs with 5 top 4 defensemen, and really good ones too. That's a luxury that we won't see again unless its at the deadline or a young guy has a great season. I'm going to compare the current team with last years post deadline team.

Additions: Boynton, Koivu, Lupul, Sbisa, and McCarthy
Subtractions: Beauchemin, Pronger, R.Niedermayer

Lines last year: (line combos might be off)
Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry
Carter/Christenesen-Ebbett-Selanne
Miller-Marchant-R.Niedermayer
Parros-Nokke-Brown

S.Niedermayer-Beauchemin
Pronger-Whitney
Wiz-Brookbank

This years: (obivously just guessing the line combinations)
Lupul-Getzlaf-Perry
Ryan-Koivu-Selanne
Carter-Marchant-Nokke (RC's shutdown line)
Parros-Ebbett/Christsensen-Brown

S.Niedermayer-Wiz
Whitney-Boynton
Sbisa-Brookbank/Salcido

The offense is clearly better with this year's roster, but the defense was miles better last year, even with out Wiz. I think last year's roster was better on paper, because that defense is so much better then our current one. However, like others have mentioned, it's close and we're going to be better long term.

So no we're not better then last year, but not bad considering we lost Pronger, Beauchemin, and gained two first round picks.

At the end we ultimately failed in the playoffs because we did not have enough depth at front to score enough goals to keep the pressure of our D and Hiller /Giggy. You can't play night in night out with 35 plus shoots against you, scoring 2-3 goals and expect to win on a regular base. Just watching the Detroit series you could see how the Redwings D constantly joined the forwards when Getzlaf, Perry were not on the ice - they knew that our firepower up front was to weak to really put them into trouble.
We are for sure improved up front and with the latest signing we basically replaced Pronger with Wiz (assuming he signs) Sbisa, Whitney and Boynton. (Beauch was insured for pretty much the season, so in reality he came into the picture only for the playoffs). On paper this team is a much improved version of last years Ducks.

AWiz (assuming he signs)

This is the key to our roster as of right now, if he walks, we are in deep poo poo.

Again with another first post in the Ducks forms, welcome.

This is the key to our roster as of right now, if he walks, we are in deep poo poo.

Again with another first post in the Ducks forms, welcome.

He can't walk. Only Murray can walk away and he won't. Wiz is signed for all intents and purposes. We just don't know the money or term yet.

As far as the team goes I think it's definitely better than the squad that suited up last October but slightly less then the team in April. You have to take into account too that Getzlaf, Ryan and Perry will all be better, so will Jiggy. If this team fires on all cylinders if could very well be a better team that faced San Jose and Detroit this past spring.

I think we are in a much better position to make a cup run. We are obviously better offensively, we are better defensively down the middle, and we have more depth this year. Clearly our group of defensemen are worse than last year, but I think we will be playing more in the other teams end, which always helps defensively.

Now, the main reason why I feel we are better off this year, is because we have an extra first and possibly a goaltender to dangle at the deadline, if this team looks like it is a serious contender, we could easily add a Kaberle at the deadline with how well Murray has restocked our pick/prospect pool.

I think this team is better.

Beach wasn't on the team for much of the year, Pronger wasn't that great for us last year (neither really was Scott).

Our offense is obviously better than the last two years.

Our defense might be a little more shaky and unproven... But I am genuinely excited.

We got a lot of youngsters jumping into the lineup on both the offensive and defensive side. Things COULD fall apart, but some young d-men could come together under Carlyle and. Add that to a better offense, next season seems exciting.

I don't know what's going to happen with Jiggy though. I mean, we rode him a lot last year, even though we knew he was not on his best game. What would have happened last year if we just had Hiller in net a bit more? This year, if we just put Hiller in net all year, would that improve us?

If Hiller plays solid for us for the first 2-3 months, we can (and really have to) trade Jiggy. That gives us lots of options come the deadline, if we're about to contend, we can then make pretty big moves.

The team didn't play up to their potential until late in the season, so there's a very big chance the team will actually do better in the regular season next year.

However, the current team will have to be in the driverseat while in game. While the defense has potential to be better than on paper, this will still be a team that needs to be productive up front. Special teams is a huge key in todays NHL, and the Ducks PP should be very strong.

The PK wasn't very good the past season, but improved in the end. Hopefully Brown and Nokelainen can keep doing a good job there while we expect Marchant will. Another forward will have to step in there, likely Carter or Miller, or maybe even Wirtanen later on. I expect Koivu to play on the PK too... But it never hurts to have another couple of PKers that can step in in case of injures or if an actual PKer is in the penalty box.

I figured this might be something to talk about.

The Ducks added much needed offense with Lupul and Koivu, but lost 2 of their top 4 D in Pronger and Beauchemin.

Do you think they will be better this year than they were last year?

We will have a better team up to the trade deadline next year at least. Beauchemin was out most of the season last year anyway so the only real piece that we have lost from last season is Pronger. In the meantime we've gained Lupul and Koivu on the second line. Scratch that, we've actually gained a second line.

The very fact that we now have two legitimate scoring lines instead of just one makes us a better team even with the loss of Pronger.

The team actually improved with the additions of Whitney, Wiz, and (up to a point) Brookbank at the trade deadline, and that's without King Beauch in the lineup! Feasterling and Mikkleson got a taste of playing in the NHL club last year. So, essentially, the key loss was Pronger for the regular season.

The team was able to reel off several wins with one scoring line. This season the team has two complete scoring lines and possibly can create three competent scoring lines ( pairs of Getz-Perry, Koivu-Teemu, and Ryan-___-Lupul).

So the question that comes into play is the production of Pronger better than Sbisa, Lupul, and Koivu.

Pronger: 11g + 37a = 48pts; 4ppg + 24ppa = 28 ppp; 20es points.

Lupul: 25g + 25a = 50 pts; 6ppg + 9 ppa = 15 ppp; 35es pts(79gp)
Koivu: 16g + 34a = 50 pts; 5ppg + 12ppa = 17 ppp; 33es pts(65gp)
Sbisa: 0g + 7a = 7 pts; 0ppg + 4ppa = 4 ppp; 3es pts(39gp)
Total: 41g + 66a = 107pts;11ppg + 26ppa = 36ppp; 71es pts

Will 30 more goals offset the loss of Pronger? It's a simplistic question b/c it doesn't show Pronger's defense, but then again the stats won't reveal the higher production that Teemu will have with Koivu as his centerman.

I think, intially, the team will be worse. Playing with so many rookies on defense (Sbisa, Mikkleson, Feasterling, and maybe Mitera) there will be growing pains. Acquiring a top 4 d-man will greatly improve the overall outlook for the team.

We'll re-sign there is no question. What he gets in arbitration is the real question mark.

I'm sure Murray will sign him to a long term deal once he proves he can be a real #2 D-man (which the type of money Wiz wants). A year arbitration deal is exactly what the doctor ordered here. Even if he gets $ 3 million, the ducks will take it.

We'll also have few question marks going into training camp. Whitney and Wiz will be a lot more comfortable/ready.

Our D, overall won't be as good, but I'm less worried defensively than offensively. Pronger is probably the best PP QB in the game, Whitney was not getting the job done last year. That has to change quick or we seriously are wasting a ton of money in his salary.

I think Boynton may start off with Scotty and Wiz baby sits Whitney and Brookbank and one kid rounds out the bottom pairing. Eventually I expect a kid to take over for Boynton or Brookbank (by end of season).

With Boynton, Scotty, and Brookbank UFAs next year, we need 2 of the kids to step it up by end of season.

Our offensive depth will be very very nice. If Detriot loses Hudler, they have essentially lost the entire line (Hudler, Samuelson, and Hossa). Chicago looks fantastic and San Jose will still be strong, but I see almost all other teams taking a step back.

Whitney was not getting the job done last year. That has to change quick or we seriously are wasting a ton of money in his salary

Whitney will never be close being the defensive defenseman Pronger was. But that's not expected from him either. A defenseman who can put 50 points is still worth $3.5mil IMO, regardless if he is great defensively, if he can just be what he was defensively last year while he can put up 50 points, I would be more than happy having him on that salary.

With all the good offensive forwards along with a PP that is likely to be good, it isn't that absurd thinking that Whitney can get those number of points.

Whitney will never be close being the defensive defenseman Pronger was. But that's not expected from him either. A defenseman who can put 50 points is still worth $3.5mil IMO, regardless if he is great defensively, if he can just be what he was defensively last year while he can put up 50 points, I would be more than happy having him on that salary.

With all the good offensive forwards along with a PP that is likely to be good, it isn't that absurd thinking that Whitney can get those number of points.
He's saying that Whitney won't get the job done offensively unless he drastically improves his ability to be a PP QB.

I kind of wonder the same thing.

He's saying that Whitney won't get the job done offensively unless he drastically improves his ability to be a PP QB.

I kind of wonder the same thing.

I think the same could also be said for Getzlaf on the PP. He passes way to much! He has easily one of the best shots in the league and doesn't use it enough! I am glad to see Pronger go for 2 reasons; one he took way to many penalties and because of his style of play other players on the Ducks would get penalties that might not have been called if they weren't wearing a Ducks uni. Another reason is now that Prongs is gone Getzlaf has no other choice but to setup as the big shot from the point on the PP and I am looking forward to a season full of blast from the point from Getzy!

I think the same could also be said for Getzlaf on the PP. He passes way to much! He has easily one of the best shots in the league and doesn't use it enough! I am glad to see Pronger go for 2 reasons; one he took way to many penalties and because of his style of play other players on the Ducks would get penalties that might not have been called if they weren't wearing a Ducks uni. Another reason is now that Prongs is gone Getzlaf has no other choice but to setup as the big shot from the point on the PP and I am looking forward to a season full of blast from the point from Getzy!

I understand what you're saying, but in no way can you comapre Whitney's PP production against Getzalf.

Getzalf may pass too much, but he's creating opportunities for others. Whitney just takes bad/weak shots or turns the puck over.

I think they're better than the team that played from October to March but worse than the team that played from March until May. Adding another defenseman and maybe a third liner at the deadline should hopefully make us one of the favorites to come out of the West.

if we sign wiz then better

He's saying that Whitney won't get the job done offensively unless he drastically improves his ability to be a PP QB.

I kind of wonder the same thing.

Oh yeah my bad. I'd still be happy with him on that salary if he can put up those kind of points. He sure has that kind of potential, as he as alreday put up over 50 points with the Pens early in his career. With the current forward situation, and a likely good PP, I can see him do that. With Pronger gone, Whitney will even have more responsibility, which probably will be good for his offensive, unfortenately not so much on defense.

The team will be better off. We saw it ourselves when we had the best defense in the league we were still .500ish. Defense can keep them close, but if you can't put goals in the net, you will not win. I think our goals +/- will go up by 50 from last year.

Looking at the stats from the last 3 seasons:

GF GA
08-09 2.90 2.87
07-08 2.40 2.24
06-07 3.10 2.42

We really need to have the difference about a 1/2 a goal for the season. Even with great D in 07-08, without goals in the net, it doesn't help. I think the offensive additions combined with solid vets on D should get us to that .5+ GF for the season

SoB

Ducks had a pretty lousy D for most of the season when beauchemin got hurt. their stellar rebuilt D at the deadline is what got them back over .500

for awhile the defense was Neidermayer, pronger, montador, hedican, Brookbank, and Festerling. thats ugly.

I think that there is little doubt that the offense will be significantly better than last year at even strength, with the addition of Koivu and Lupul to the second line. The loss of Pronger will hurt the power play, but some of that will be overcome by a much stronger second power play forward line. I think that these may balance each other out on the Power Play.

I am not certain about how much weaker the Penalty Kill will be. I would hope that the Ducks get fewer "reputation" calls, and thus will not be on the Kill as much as last year. I don't think that the defensemen on the PK unit will be as strong as last year with the loss of Pronger. I think that the two forward positions on the PK should be fine, based upon their performance during the very last part of the season and the play offs last year.

The defense will be stronger than the defense that the Ducks put on the ice much of the season. Based upon what I have read, Sbisa is better than either of the rookies that the Ducks played last year and Boynton should be better than Hedican. At least at the start of the season the Ducks have a legitimate top four/five, with better depth than last year.

I think that the key to the defense is going to have to be how well the third pairing plays. This pairing is going to have play more minutes that last year. Scotty just isn't able to put the 24/25 minutes per game up than he has in the past and still be effective through the season and into the play offs. The Ducks have also lost Pronger's 24/25 minutes per game, so the third pairing is going to have to step it up and be on the ice another 4 minutes or so per game. I think that this will work with a third pairing of Brookbank/Boynton or Sbisa.

One other thing that needs to happen to overcome the dropoff on the blueline, we have to get the kind of forecheck from our non-scoring lines we got back in '06 and '07. When even your 3rd and 4th lines can keep the puck pinned in the offensive zone for 3/4 of a shift, the defense is a lot less exposed.

I think that the key to the defense is going to have to be how well the third pairing plays. This pairing is going to have play more minutes that last year. Scotty just isn't able to put the 24/25 minutes per game up than he has in the past and still be effective through the season and into the play offs. The Ducks have also lost Pronger's 24/25 minutes per game, so the third pairing is going to have to step it up and be on the ice another 4 minutes or so per game. I think that this will work with a third pairing of Brookbank/Boynton or Sbisa.

What are you basing this off of? He's one of the best conditioned players in the sport.

What are you basing this off of? He's one of the best conditioned players in the sport.

His ability to re-cuperate is arguably better than anyone else in hockey.

Ducks had a pretty lousy D for most of the season when beauchemin got hurt. their stellar rebuilt D at the deadline is what got them back over .500

for awhile the defense was Neidermayer, pronger, montador, hedican, Brookbank, and Festerling. thats ugly.

And Huskins played most of last year. Also Beauch played 07-08

But the point was not how good the D was or not, but that Goals For and Goals Against differential was significantly higher the cup year. So increasing our offense will make us better.

SoB