"Duck officials will meet with McDonald this week to determine whether he will play against Dallas in Wednesday's opener or start the season on injured reserve."
""I am anxious to get back out there, but at the same time, I do not want to be a liability to the team," McDonald said. "There is going to be a break-in period. But my strength is back and I'm up to my playing weight.""
Finally some good news!
__________________
What we've got here is failure to communicate.
Some men you just can't reach...
So, you get what we had here last week,
which is the way he wants it!
Well, he gets it!
Just don't come back too soon. If he is ready, though, I'd put him in the top 6 over Nieds.
Mac ahead of Niedermayer??? Don't think so. Under the Babcock system Rob Niedermayer is one of the key players.
If he plays like he did at the end of the season and in the playoffs, he'll get 60 points.
Andy Mac is the best. What is there not to like about the guy. To come back and play on opening night would be a great thing for the Ducks. We certainly could use his speed. But I'm hoping he's just not rushing back. If he needs a couple of more months, I hope he takes it.
So is McDonald. Babcock's favorite quote before the injury: "Which line is the best line? Any line with Andy McDonald on it."
He's faster, more skilled, and just as greasy. He got more points than Nieds even though he only played half a year. He wins hands down.
Not even close. Rob Niedermayer is a fast, power forward who is almost impossible to beat down low. Mac is a small, soft, speedy player and although we love him, his ability is not suitable for one of our 1st 2 lines.
Rob Niedermayer was the Ducks best forward in the playoffs, his coach gave him tons of ice time in every situation and I doubt if that will change during the 2003-04 season. One of the Ducks off-season plans was to be bigger and tougher this year, which likely means Andy will be on the 3rd line. Either way, it is great to have him back!!
3rd line - McDonald - Pahlsson - Lupul
1st line - Niedermayer-Fedorov-Sykora
3rd line - McDonald - Pahlsson - Lupul
1st line - Niedermayer-Fedorov-Sykora
I agree with trying Nieds on 1st line and Andy Mac on 3rd but if you do it that way Chistov gets knocked down to 4th line because Chistov and Prospal are both left wingers. Andy Mac coming back probably means he'll play right wing on the 3rd line with Babcock's usual interchanges on a situational basis.
Not even close. Rob Niedermayer is a fast, power forward who is almost impossible to beat down low. Mac is a small, soft, speedy player and although we love him, his ability is not suitable for one of our 1st 2 lines.
Rob Niedermayer was the Ducks best forward in the playoffs, his coach gave him tons of ice time in every situation and I doubt if that will change during the 2003-04 season. One of the Ducks off-season plans was to be bigger and tougher this year, which likely means Andy will be on the 3rd line. Either way, it is great to have him back!!
3rd line - McDonald - Pahlsson - Lupul
1st line - Niedermayer-Fedorov-Sykora
He's not soft at all. What he is is fragile. Nieds isn't a power forward...he's a grinder. He doesn't have the mental necessary to make good on the chances he gets with his relative immovability.
Rucchin was the best forward in the playoffs, but Nieds was right there. Regardless its not a fair comparison because Andy Mac wasn't able to show us how he'd behave in those situations.
3rd line - McDonald - Pahlsson - Lupul
1st line - Niedermayer-Fedorov-Sykora
Fedorov and Sykora are a pair...
Prospal and Nieds are a pair...
I really do think that Prospal and Nieds are on the same page when they're both on the ice together. They've got instant chemistry. They made Getzlaf look real good! Now imagine Rooch in that spot. = )
Fedorov and Sykora... i can't say anymore than that, btw they did look good on the ice together... especially w/ Ozo coming down along with them.
Weird thought... Andy hasn't had any preseason games in him and no contact at all. He maybe a game weight, but prolly not in game shape or thought or speed with everyone else. Would it be best to send him down to Cinci for a few games and then bring him up? See if he can withstand the contact, the ice and everything else that may induce or affect his post concussion syndrome thingie?
Weird thought... Andy hasn't had any preseason games in him and no contact at all. He maybe a game weight, but prolly not in game shape or thought or speed with everyone else. Would it be best to send him down to Cinci for a few games and then bring him up? See if he can withstand the contact, the ice and everything else that may induce or affect his post concussion syndrome thingie?
I think thats a good idea. I mentioned that in a post earlier. maybe he should start the season in cinci. but from that article it looks like it's either with the big club or on the IR.
I agree with trying Nieds on 1st line and Andy Mac on 3rd but if you do it that way Chistov gets knocked down to 4th line because Chistov and Prospal are both left wingers. Andy Mac coming back probably means he'll play right wing on the 3rd line with Babcock's usual interchanges on a situational basis.
If nieds is on the 1st and mac is on the third then chistov is on the 2nd...but what happens to Jason Krog?What Happens when Mike Leclerc comes back?who stays and who goes?
many possibilities...Niedermayer has continued his solid play through camp,I was a critic of his but I think he can have a 20 goal 50 point year with Feds and Sykora. Chistov fits better on the 2nd line with the two guys who go to corners...the only problem is the 2nd line was our stopper line last year so should chistov be playing there? Prospal/Rucchin/Niedermayer is one of the biggest lines in the game with skill and tremendous defense.
I honestly dont know what will happen but I do know babs likes to juggle lines...at times we could see Krog with Prospal and fedorov.
Weird thought... Andy hasn't had any preseason games in him and no contact at all. He maybe a game weight, but prolly not in game shape or thought or speed with everyone else. Would it be best to send him down to Cinci for a few games and then bring him up? See if he can withstand the contact, the ice and everything else that may induce or affect his post concussion syndrome thingie?
I think he would have to pass waivers(not sure about it) and someone would definitely claim him...unless he can be put on the IR and play in Cincy.
If nieds is on the 1st and mac is on the third then chistov is on the 2nd...but what happens to Jason Krog?What Happens when Mike Leclerc comes back?who stays and who goes?
many possibilities...Niedermayer has continued his solid play through camp,I was a critic of his but I think he can have a 20 goal 50 point year with Feds and Sykora. Chistov fits better on the 2nd line with the two guys who go to corners...the only problem is the 2nd line was our stopper line last year so should chistov be playing there? Prospal/Rucchin/Niedermayer is one of the biggest lines in the game with skill and tremendous defense.
I honestly dont know what will happen but I do know babs likes to juggle lines...at times we could see Krog with Prospal and fedorov.
Holmqvist will be sent down to Cincy. Might as well have him play big minutes there. The fourth line'll be Burnett-Johnson-Severson. Chistov clicks with Pahlsson and Krog alot. I think 3rd line'll be Chistov-Krog-Pahlsson. Pahlsson will move to wing before Krog as Krog is a face-off ace. Nieds and Prospal have quite a bit of chemistry. Put Rooch with them, and that'll be a good second line. Feds and Sykora are obvious for the first line. That leaves Lupul for a bit of a try-out with them. When Andy Mac comes back, maybe he'll go on the third line, or replace Lupul on the first line if he doesn't excel. Lupul would maybe go down to Cincy. When Leclerc comes back, it'll be a pretty sticky situation. If Nieds, Prospal and Rooch have awesome chemistry, I think he could be on his way out to a team who can use him, or replacing Pahlsson/Krog on the third line.
Quote:
I think he would have to pass waivers(not sure about it) and someone would definitely claim him...unless he can be put on the IR and play in Cincy.
He can be sent down for a training send down or something like that without going on waivers. As soon as he's healthy though he has to be called up or has to clear waivers.
Holmqvist will be sent down to Cincy. Might as well have him play big minutes there. The fourth line'll be Burnett-Johnson-Severson. Chistov clicks with Pahlsson and Krog alot. I think 3rd line'll be Chistov-Krog-Pahlsson. Pahlsson will move to wing before Krog as Krog is a face-off ace. Nieds and Prospal have quite a bit of chemistry. Put Rooch with them, and that'll be a good second line. Feds and Sykora are obvious for the first line. That leaves Lupul for a bit of a try-out with them. When Andy Mac comes back, maybe he'll go on the third line, or replace Lupul on the first line if he doesn't excel. Lupul would maybe go down to Cincy. When Leclerc comes back, it'll be a pretty sticky situation. If Nieds, Prospal and Rooch have awesome chemistry, I think he could be on his way out to a team who can use him, or replacing Pahlsson/Krog on the third line.
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I don't think Homqvist will be sent down. He is not afraid of going into the corners and he is an excellent penaltiy killer plus unlike Severson he doesn't take stupid penalties.
As for Andy Mac. At times last year I though it was PK out there flying but then the puck went into the corner and the speeding bullet just kept going at the D-Man - it is at that point that I realized that it was not "big wussy Pauli" out there but good old Andy Mac.
Andy Mac back into the line up - that's just great news. We just got another free agent signed onto the team.
ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has made the following roster moves:
Cam Severson (LW) - Assigned to Cincinnati (AHL)
Mark Popovic (D) - Assigned to Cincinnati (AHL)
Ryan Getzlaf (C) - Assigned to junior team (Calgary - WHL)
Severson's a surprise. Perhaps Mac really is ready to go. Or Holmqvist beat him out. Or whatever. Christ I'm tired of thinking about it. For such a short offseason its really seemed like forever.
Christ I'm tired of thinking about it. For such a short offseason its really seemed like forever.
Yeah, tell me about it. But it is nice to have so many capable players for once!
If McDonald shows he has no problems from the injury and plays like he did last year, I think someone will get traded. With Sykora and Chistov not going anywhere, I can't see us keeping five small forwards/centers. That means Pahlsson or Krog will be gone since I don't think we can send either one to Cincy without going through waivers (someone correct me if I'm wrong); and I think someone would claim them. That's going to be a tough choice. Pahlsson is a good defensive player with decent speed and is really a good fit for a third line center; but Krog has better hands and offensive touch plus is better at faceoffs. Think the one big advantage for Krog is that he shoots right-handed. He's our main right-handed faceoff guy now with Oates gone.
Man, my head is spinning! Wait until LeClerc comes back. I think he'd be a perfect fit with Fedorov and Skyora on the first line, then second line we'd have...
