With Carney out, most of the pressure will fall on Salei to carry the load. He had a breakout season last year and I have confidence he can do it temporarily.
With Carney out, most of the pressure will fall on Salei to carry the load. He had a breakout season last year and I have confidence he can do it temporarily.
This isn't anything to panic about, the defense won't fold without Carney like it did 2 seasons ago. Salei is better, Havelid is better, and Ozo is a big upgrade over Tverdovsky. Mix in Simpson, Sauer, Vish, and Ward and the Ducks will be fine short term.
This isn't anything to panic about, the defense won't fold without Carney like it did 2 seasons ago. Salei is better, Havelid is better, and Ozo is a big upgrade over Tverdovsky. Mix in Simpson, Sauer, Vish, and Ward and the Ducks will be fine short term.
The team looked horrible last night without Carney but I agree short term we are fine. I expect Kurt Sauer to pick up right where he left off in the second half and playoffs last year...I firmly believe Sauer can be a #1 or 2 defensemen in this league and now is his and Saleis chance to prove what they have. I'm glad we have a GM like Bryan Murray that when theres a problem he immediately fixes it unlike a certain GM in LA who when theres a problem they do nothing about it...when Carney comes back i fully expect to see Vishnevski or Havelid traded.
The team looked horrible last night without Carney but I agree short term we are fine. I expect Kurt Sauer to pick up right where he left off in the second half and playoffs last year...I firmly believe Sauer can be a #1 or 2 defensemen in this league and now is his and Saleis chance to prove what they have. I'm glad we have a GM like Bryan Murray that when theres a problem he immediately fixes it unlike a certain GM in LA who when theres a problem they do nothing about it...when Carney comes back i fully expect to see Vishnevski or Havelid traded.
If we're trading Havelid, it's for a PP QB, as Havelid is ours at the moment. I heard Vishnevski though last night was playing pretty good, and getting in the play more, so it may be a sign that Ward, not Vishnevski, is on his way out. I figure it's between those two for the last job. Or, one of our fourth liners (Severson, Burnett, Johnson) is out or to the minors so Ward can play there or get sent down himself. I suspect though that Ward will just be traded and Simpson on as our 7th dman, switching on and off wth Vish and maybe Sauer.
If we're trading Havelid, it's for a PP QB, as Havelid is ours at the moment. I heard Vishnevski though last night was playing pretty good, and getting in the play more, so it may be a sign that Ward, not Vishnevski, is on his way out. I figure it's between those two for the last job. Or, one of our fourth liners (Severson, Burnett, Johnson) is out or to the minors so Ward can play there or get sent down himself. I suspect though that Ward will just be traded and Simpson on as our 7th dman, switching on and off wth Vish and maybe Sauer.
I cant imagine us getting much in return for Ward.
We shouldn't trade anyone. We were actually pretty fortunate last year in regards to injuries on the blueline, with only Salei out for an extended stretch. We're gonna need all of these guys, and I personally am glad we're not looking at the prospect of Ward playing 40 games back there.
We shouldn't trade anyone. We were actually pretty fortunate last year in regards to injuries on the blueline, with only Salei out for an extended stretch. We're gonna need all of these guys, and I personally am glad we're not looking at the prospect of Ward playing 40 games back there.
I think we could pick up a solid RFA like Pascual Dupuis for Vishnevski, or package out Vish and say a Leclerc Mcdonald type to try and pick up Martin Havlat or Mike Comrie to play on the first line...we have a hole there IMO. Or we could have 8 NHL defensemen if you include Popovic...depends what way you wanna go.
I think we could pick up a solid RFA like Pascual Dupuis for Vishnevski, or package out Vish and say a Leclerc Mcdonald type to try and pick up Martin Havlat or Mike Comrie to play on the first line...we have a hole there IMO. Or we could have 8 NHL defensemen if you include Popovic...depends what way you wanna go.
Exactly what I've been thinking. Comrie could move to wing with Feds and Sykora, and it'd be a stellar line.
Many will disagree that Leclerc probably won't be leaving, but, sadly, if Nieds, Prospal and Rooch have serious chemistry, and if he doesn't fit in on the first line, I think he's on his way out. He's a waste on the third line, and might not be good enough for first. Leclerc for Comrie straight up would be a fair deal. Also, Vish I think is actually trying to reach his potential more than ever to remain on the team. He knows Simpson threatens his roster spot.
Many will disagree that Leclerc probably won't be leaving, but, sadly, if Nieds, Prospal and Rooch have serious chemistry, and if he doesn't fit in on the first line, I think he's on his way out. He's a waste on the third line, and might not be good enough for first. Leclerc for Comrie straight up would be a fair deal. Also, Vish I think is actually trying to reach his potential more than ever to remain on the team. He knows Simpson threatens his roster spot.
There is no way ... NO WAY ... I trade Leclerc for Comrie. It might be "fair" value, but the Ducks have finally started to get away from the midget sized lineups of the past, I'd rather not turn the clock back. Besides which, so far Leclerc has proven to be clutch, whereas Comrie has not. Leclerc's game is much more suited for the grind-it-out style of the playoffs than Comrie's. Yeah, Comrie will score more in the regular season, but when games get tight he'll vanish, whereas that's when Leclerc has stepped up for us.
Besides, why would he be a waste on the 3rd line? If anything, he's exactly the caliber of player that many contenders have had on the 3rd line, and he could be a very good support player on a scoring line when called upon.
There's no way I trade the guy who just finished scoring or assisting on half our game winners in the playoffs.
There is no way ... NO WAY ... I trade Leclerc for Comrie. It might be "fair" value, but the Ducks have finally started to get away from the midget sized lineups of the past, I'd rather not turn the clock back.
I agree, I think the Oilers would rather have a young forward like Smirnov because hes cheap and can develop still...Im big on Havlat and I believe we have a hole on the top line because the 2nd line should be Nieds,Rooch and Prospal because Nieds and Prospal have VERY good chemistry..having a third line of Leclerc,Pahlsson and Chistov would be a good line but we would have a log jam if the ducks were to acquire a havlat or Comrie type player.
damn...Simpson better be good.
