Well defenseman are at a premium right now. So I think for the next couple of years until Cutter Guenter develops, we are gonna get laughed at. It's so tricky to project development curves of players because they need so much to go right to succeed. But eventually if enough goes right it will happen for a player. Drysdale has had a real weird development path. Forced onto the roster as a 18 year old because of covid. Multiple injuries that he's has always bounced back from, but slowed his development. Lack of stability of a winning team. 2 different coaches. It's just ridiculous to say that Jamie Drysdale has hit his ceiling. I don't even think he's ever been used to his full potential as a rover like Quin Hughes. But Verbeek decided to give up on him. And Verbeek has shown alot of distrust of players he didn't draft. And I'd really like to see what he thinks of Cutter Guchier in more detail. Because I think we lost the overall trade value. We aren't in my opinion getting the best player , nor are the Ducks getting the best overall value. The Ducks are just getting a type of player they really need. A shooting winger. And after 2 or 3 games Drysdale plays Verbeek is gonna look real foolish. Most East coast fans no little about any Ducks players except for Zegras.But when they figure how good Jamie Drysdale is they be rael happy. So this is just going to be sad for us Ducks fans for a while. I mean why couldn't Verbeek get anybody who could help the Ducks right now. I mean what are the Ducks now. Are we just a farm team that other teams take advantage of to fill there rosters out. And It's OK to say that we couldn't hold on to every player. But this Ducks team needs more veteran players. The Ducks don't need more prospects or picks. Let's be something. Not just some farm team.
- Eman87654

Hey, I liked Jaime too, but look at this team right now. They CANNOT score goals! Anaheim could easily be at least a .500 team if they could finish decently. This is what you have to do to get a scoring center/wing. Besides, Jaime's shoulder injury scares the crap out of me. I strained my labrum when I was body-surfing years ago and it still hurts to this day. Jaime had to have his surgically repaired. Shoulders and hips are bad injuries. Besides, maybe Cutter doesn't need any "development".
The kid is 6-3 and has a great shot. You say you want GMPV to help the team right now. Name a scoring wing who is available for next to nothing. Nope, you have to give to get.

Hey, I liked Jaime too, but look at this team right now. They CANNOT score goals! Anaheim could easily be at least a .500 team if they could finish decently. This is what you have to do to get a scoring center/wing. Besides, Jaime's shoulder injury scares the crap out of me. I strained my labrum when I was body-surfing years ago and it still hurts to this day. Jaime had to have his surgically repaired. Shoulders and hips are bad injuries. Besides, maybe Cutter doesn't need any "development".
The kid is 6-3 and has a great shot. You say you want GMPV to help the team right now. Name a scoring wing who is available for next to nothing. Nope, you have to give to get.
- duxcup07

Yep we needed finisher…

Good trade.

I thought the 2nd was odd too and surprised it wasn't the other way around. I can only assume it's because of injuries, but if it wasn't for injuries I don't see the Ducks trading Drysdale away for Cutter 1 for 1.
- Glak18

SIMON DESPRES

SIMON DESPRES
- rubberduckies

No doubt that was a crusher….kid coulda and was for awhile really good for us…

I see the Kings mentioned in some of these comments. Ducks rebuild is different from Kings in 2 ways:

1. Kings still have top 2 skaters from their Stanley Cup teams playing at a high level
2. Rob Blake wasted fewer draft picks than Bob Murray. Look at BM's last 2 or 3 draft classes and tell me who out of those groups, other than Terry and Zegras, have any trade value. Z is back on IR, so he's not going anywhere this year. Ducks wasted several #1 picks - Max Jones, Brayden Tracey, Jacob Perreault - none of those guys have value in the trade market. I like Jones' effort on the 4th line, but #24 overall was a bad pick.

PV is playing the long game because he has to. This year is about changing culture and identifying who the core guys are, not about being 'playoff ready'. They don't have the skill level or depth to be in that mix yet, and they have to get better before they'll attract top end talent through free agency. They teased us a little early on, but the league adjusted and then the injuries started. Best case the playoff window opens next year but more likely in '25-26 and the cup window a year or two after that. Hopefully I live that long...

Added to that is Z's latest injury - broken ankle requiring surgery, out 6-8 weeks. This season is about culture and effort, and identifying the young guys who will be part of the future core.

I see the Kings mentioned in some of these comments. Ducks rebuild is different from Kings in 2 ways:

1. Kings still have top 2 skaters from their Stanley Cup teams playing at a high level
2. Rob Blake wasted fewer draft picks than Bob Murray. Look at BM's last 2 or 3 draft classes and tell me who out of those groups, other than Terry and Zegras, have any trade value. Z is back on IR, so he's not going anywhere this year. Ducks wasted several #1 picks - Max Jones, Brayden Tracey, Jacob Perreault - none of those guys have value in the trade market. I like Jones' effort on the 4th line, but #24 overall was a bad pick.

PV is playing the long game because he has to. This year is about changing culture and identifying who the core guys are, not about being 'playoff ready'. They don't have the skill level or depth to be in that mix yet, and they have to get better before they'll attract top end talent through free agency. They teased us a little early on, but the league adjusted and then the injuries started. Best case the playoff window opens next year but more likely in '25-26 and the cup window a year or two after that. Hopefully I live that long...
- hardenx

Waiting for the perfect conditions that probably won't come is a bad bet. Even if a good player becomes available, the Ducks won't have the cap space in 2 or 3 years to sign a player like that. And If you wana wait then the ELC's will expire and you'll miss a opportunity.
Sometimes you just gotta try to get things done. Instead of waving a white flag and building the bad culture of losing. Add more Veteran players. Don't give up. Keep moving foward. Stop waiting. The long game is for when you tank. The Ducks aren't tanking anymore.

I really don't believe in the "long game" as you say. For one there are systems built into the NHL that punishes teams from stockpiling to many players. Like salary cap , waiver wire , arbitration. These things are gonna stop Verbeek from reaping benfits what he thinks the "long game" will give him. Mostly the only thing the "long game" will do is prolong things. Like it will prolong Pat Verbeek time as GM. It'll give him a built in excuse for not winning. It will also prolong the losing. Without punishing losing there is not incentive to win. The Duck's will just be a talented underpreforming team every year just like this year. And it will prolong the suffering of the fan base. Constantly having to watch bad hockey and having to listen to excuses will literally just suck the life out of Anaheim hockey. We Duck's fans don't have to settle. The Ducks have Cap space and assets to trade to make this team better. We can get veteran players that already know how to play hockey.

Waiting for the perfect conditions that probably won't come is a bad bet. Even if a good player becomes available, the Ducks won't have the cap space in 2 or 3 years to sign a player like that. And If you wana wait then the ELC's will expire and you'll miss a opportunity.
Sometimes you just gotta try to get things done. Instead of waving a white flag and building the bad culture of losing. Add more Veteran players. Don't give up. Keep moving foward. Stop waiting. The long game is for when you tank. The Ducks aren't tanking anymore.

I really don't believe in the "long game" as you say. For one there are systems built into the NHL that punishes teams from stockpiling to many players. Like salary cap , waiver wire , arbitration. These things are gonna stop Verbeek from reaping benfits what he thinks the "long game" will give him. Mostly the only thing the "long game" will do is prolong things. Like it will prolong Pat Verbeek time as GM. It'll give him a built in excuse for not winning. It will also prolong the losing. Without punishing losing there is not incentive to win. The Duck's will just be a talented underpreforming team every year just like this year. And it will prolong the suffering of the fan base. Constantly having to watch bad hockey and having to listen to excuses will literally just suck the life out of Anaheim hockey. We Duck's fans don't have to settle. The Ducks have Cap space and assets to trade to make this team better. We can get veteran players that already know how to play hockey.
- Eman87654

I’m with you on most of this…. Killorn and Strome are terrible, just gross - not only for the money on the term but with what else was available at the time…

Frankie - Gudas and the Boosh and to a lesser extent Big Boss Ross have been good to really good…

We needed more speed up front and Strome and Killorn are stiffs - when you already have Silf and Rico…

I’m with you on most of this…. Killorn and Strome are terrible, just gross - not only for the money on the term but with what else was available at the time…

Frankie - Gudas and the Boosh and to a lesser extent Big Boss Ross have been good to really good…

We needed more speed up front and Strome and Killorn are stiffs - when you already have Silf and Rico…
- dozerD10

Killorn at least has won it all and has the experience in the dressing room. Saw it during the Kraken game he was constantly talking to the guys. Getting them going. I agree likely better options but he is physical and does contribute. Thing is he is more a third liner. Strome looks like nothing more than a practice pylon though I agree.

Im still wrapping my head around the scuttlebutt on Zegras, injury or not.

When most people think of waiting being good. They usually think of Tampa or Colorado. Tampa had to wait a real long time. They technically started waiting before Steven Stamkos was drafted. Around 15 years. 3 Gm changes. I think around 5 or 6 coaching changes. And in the end what changed things in Tampa was They started making trades. They actively added players and free agents to make the team better. Waiting got them mediocrity. Aggressively making trades improved the team and turned them into a contender.

Colorado is another one. They waited and waited. There rebuild started when Joe sacking retired. Matt Duchenne, Ryan Orielly were the air apparent. Average drafting ultimately held them back. Along with no tanking. Sakic didn't wait. He made moves. Then he stated waiting too. Nate McKinnon on favorable contract made the Stanley Cup possible. And even with all that time they manged 1 cup. Probably gonna have to.trade mikko rateenan before he gets to free agency. Hopefully someone hooks up Sakic with a good deal so Colorado can reload.
But my point is waiting is overrated. A Players prime years usually span about 6 to 8 years. Hard to justify waiting to long. Especially if you have to pay early In thier career.
- Eman87654

Being super aggressive in the trade market is what has brought Tampa back to the pack….

Tampa was a force because they found studs with 2nd and 3rd round picks and kucherov, Point and Vas all hitting their prime at the same time.

Not to mention, drafting Stamkos and Hedman…

Being super aggressive in the trade market is what has brought Tampa back to the pack….

Tampa was a force because they found studs with 2nd and 3rd round picks and kucherov, Point and Vas all hitting their prime at the same time.

Not to mention, drafting Stamkos and Hedman…
- Mahewman

Nothing last forever. That dang salary cap. A least they got 2 cups. Thats More than most teams get. And the lightning are probably gonna lose Steven Stamkos too. This is probably where the lightning should start to trade. Can't keep holding on to those glory years.