Steve Palumbo: Upcoming schedule is going to work against the Ducks; Gibson back?

I'm a believer now Steve. It's time to begin to worry. Please bring up Welinski and let Beauchemin sit in a lounge chair now. Please!

The Ducks still have a 1/3 of a season left to play, and that's a lot of hockey. If you don't believe me, just look at Los Angeles. Not so long ago every Kings fan on HockeyBuzz was stopping by to gloat, and then what happened? The second 1/3 of the season happened. So it's not over until it's over.

The Oilers are in town tomorrow, and that means Maroon is back to face his old team right before he gets traded. Yes, Maroon is in a contract year, but since Edmonton is way out of the playoff picture they're going to be sellers. It’s the way things go. Fortunately for Maroon, he made lemonade playing alongside McDavid, and will be seeing a raise, so good for him. Maybe 5 years in the fours. Dude earned it. He really got his act together in Edmonton, so his agent will have a lot of bargaining power to work with.

Speaking of McDavid, I’m not 100% sure, but I think Kesler was fighting his injury during the Ducks/Oilers playoff series, so that will be a matchup to watch out for. It’s probably been a year since McDavid has faced a healthy Kesler, so that sucks for him. Is he still being sheltered from taking faceoffs?

If there is one area where the Ducks can really hurt Edmonton, it’s on on the power play. Anaheim’s PP has been picking it up as of late, so getting that group some opportunities to get results is important. I don’t want to say it, but Paul MacLean really had the power play going. All the talent of the former #1 PP the league is still here. No excuses, make them pay.

Welinski can’t be a worse option than Beauch ... play him now .. and the 2nd line needs to get it together ... and JG is essential for Ducks to be a contender...

Yeah the next roadie could make or break us. But first I'd rather help put the final nail in Edmonton season. There still clinging to hope but it's pretty much over.

The Ducks are so much better than the Sharks and should be able to make it

What are your guys thoughts on Vermette? My thought is that we need to trade him. He is one of 7 free agent forwards the Ducks have this year and I don't think his play has warranted a renewal (as evidenced by his healthy scratch against BUF).
I think we could get either a 2nd or a 3rd for him. I think the Pens would do that in a heart beat - he'd replace Bonino on their third line.
The benefit for the Ducks is that they'd be able to add a hungry guy like Grant back into the fold. Grant has had his best year ever for the Ducks, why not give him more of a shot?
Thoughts?

I agree we need to scratch Beauch and Bieksa more, bring up some of the younger guys who are faster and more mobile. I also think we should trade vermette and move wagner into the center spot and give kerdiles more of a shot, hopefully with him getting more than 5 mins a game, so we can see what he can do, or let Grant play more. Seems to me like Vermette there isn't much hes good at, except for faceoffs, try and get an asset for him.
This team is more than capable of going on a run, last year they went 14-2-3 to close out the season, we have basically the same team as we did last year, I don't necessarily see why we can't do it again.

What are your guys thoughts on Vermette? My thought is that we need to trade him. He is one of 7 free agent forwards the Ducks have this year and I don't think his play has warranted a renewal (as evidenced by his healthy scratch against BUF).
I think we could get either a 2nd or a 3rd for him. I think the Pens would do that in a heart beat - he'd replace Bonino on their third line.
The benefit for the Ducks is that they'd be able to add a hungry guy like Grant back into the fold. Grant has had his best year ever for the Ducks, why not give him more of a shot?
Thoughts?
- hdd23

The ONLY thing Vermette has going for him is that he's so good in the faceoff dot. The main reason Buffalo got a point in the last game was they won the faceoff down the stretch. That being said, he doesn't bring that much else to the table. He falls down more than Perry, his scoring touch is all but gone, but those faceoffs... Tough call, but if they could get a second for him, I guess I'd do it.

The Ducks still have a 1/3 of a season left to play, and that's a lot of hockey. If you don't believe me, just look at Los Angeles. Not so long ago every Kings fan on HockeyBuzz was stopping by to gloat, and then what happened? The second 1/3 of the season happened. So it's not over until it's over.

The Oilers are in town tomorrow, and that means Maroon is back to face his old team right before he gets traded. Yes, Maroon is in a contract year, but since Edmonton is way out of the playoff picture they're going to be sellers. It’s the way things go. Fortunately for Maroon, he made lemonade playing alongside McDavid, and will be seeing a raise, so good for him. Maybe 5 years in the fours. Dude earned it. He really got his act together in Edmonton, so his agent will have a lot of bargaining power to work with.

Speaking of McDavid, I’m not 100% sure, but I think Kesler was fighting his injury during the Ducks/Oilers playoff series, so that will be a matchup to watch out for. It’s probably been a year since McDavid has faced a healthy Kesler, so that sucks for him. Is he still being sheltered from taking faceoffs?

If there is one area where the Ducks can really hurt Edmonton, it’s on on the power play. Anaheim’s PP has been picking it up as of late, so getting that group some opportunities to get results is important. I don’t want to say it, but Paul MacLean really had the power play going. All the talent of the former #1 PP the league is still here. No excuses, make them pay.
- IGotTheMemo

I don’t remember any of us gloating about anything. It was you who said the Kings were mediocre when they were winning. One thing I’ve learned and most Kings fans have learned is that we know this team too well to gloat.
I think the Ducks are an average team without Gibson to plug up the gaping holes in their defense. That being said you guys have no excuses now that you have 99% of your team back. The Kings wait for their top goal scorer last year, Carter to come back and maybe a pick up at the trade deadline.

I agree we need to scratch Beauch and Bieksa more, bring up some of the younger guys who are faster and more mobile. I also think we should trade vermette and move wagner into the center spot and give kerdiles more of a shot, hopefully with him getting more than 5 mins a game, so we can see what he can do, or let Grant play more. Seems to me like Vermette there isn't much hes good at, except for faceoffs, try and get an asset for him.
This team is more than capable of going on a run, last year they went 14-2-3 to close out the season, we have basically the same team as we did last year, I don't necessarily see why we can't do it again.
- letsgoducks

Possible. March and April are home heavy. They need to survive February first.

I "think" the NHL did a remaining schedule comparison for every team a couple of weeks ago. The Ducks had one of the more favorable schedules in the Pacific.

That being said, this team is just too inconsistent imo. Our vaunted "D" is anything but. We've gone from top 5 penalty kill to middle of the road. These two home games are just about must win, since after this mini home stand, 5 of the following 7 games are on the road. We'll know come March 1 if the playoffs are realistic.

I don’t remember any of us gloating about anything. It was you who said the Kings were mediocre when they were winning. One thing I’ve learned and most Kings fans have learned is that we know this team too well to gloat.
I think the Ducks are an average team without Gibson to plug up the gaping holes in their defense. That being said you guys have no excuses now that you have 99% of your team back. The Kings wait for their top goal scorer last year, Carter to come back and maybe a pick up at the trade deadline.
- arh777

The Kings boast the 2nd best D in the league (#1 in the West). They are ahead of the Ducks by one point and have played 2 less games. They have the #1 PK. Offensively they rank 17th while the Ducks are 23rd. Kings have compiled these stats with their best offensive player on the shelf for all but 6 games.

And they're considered "mediocre" by some. If so, then the Ducks are even worse at this point in time. Time to get real here.

What are your guys thoughts on Vermette? My thought is that we need to trade him. He is one of 7 free agent forwards the Ducks have this year and I don't think his play has warranted a renewal (as evidenced by his healthy scratch against BUF).
I think we could get either a 2nd or a 3rd for him. I think the Pens would do that in a heart beat - he'd replace Bonino on their third line.
The benefit for the Ducks is that they'd be able to add a hungry guy like Grant back into the fold. Grant has had his best year ever for the Ducks, why not give him more of a shot?
Thoughts?
- hdd23

I like vermette. But the trade for Rico pushed him to the 4th line center or 3rd line winger. So it natural that if a trade happens he would probably be one of the guys that gets moved to open up roster space.
Come to think of. Rico, Kase, Ritchie are technically the 2nd line surpassing Kesler, Cogliano,Silfverburg. Even though nobody's saying it.

The Kings boast the 2nd best D in the league (#1 in the West). They are ahead of the Ducks by one point and have played 2 less games. They have the #1 PK. Offensively they rank 17th while the Ducks are 23rd. Kings have compiled these stats with their best offensive player on the shelf for all but 6 games.

And they're considered "mediocre" by some. If so, then the Ducks are even worse at this point in time. Time to get real here.
- quackup

Should be an interesting finish! Cheers Quackup!

I don’t remember any of us gloating about anything. It was you who said the Kings were mediocre when they were winning. One thing I’ve learned and most Kings fans have learned is that we know this team too well to gloat.
I think the Ducks are an average team without Gibson to plug up the gaping holes in their defense. That being said you guys have no excuses now that you have 99% of your team back. The Kings wait for their top goal scorer last year, Carter to come back and maybe a pick up at the trade deadline.
- arh777

There was that one Kings fan that would come in here and stir the pot, but I haven't seen him in months, his name started with a V. Mostly I have only seen Kings fans in here defending the Kings from Memos constant bashing of the Kings.

But I agree, I would say the majority of Kings fans thought this season was going to be like last season and the Ducks would take the division once again. I have seen NO gloating by Kings fans, even when they were winning I think Kings fans thought they were playing well above their heads and it was going to come to an end at some point, which it did.

Should be an interesting finish! Cheers Quackup!



- arh777

There was that one Kings fan that would come in here and stir the pot, but I haven't seen him in months, his name started with a V. Mostly I have only seen Kings fans in here defending the Kings from Memos constant bashing of the Kings.

But I agree, I would say the majority of Kings fans thought this season was going to be like last season and the Ducks would take the division once again. I have seen NO gloating by Kings fans, even when they were winning I think Kings fans thought they were playing well above their heads and it was going to come to an end at some point, which it did.
- LAkings96

Yeah, that Verwu was a real bad apple, but you guys are a part of the same apple tree. That being, a crabapple tree. Ya know, you guys barge in here all sour about your team's atrocious second third of the season. And then - even worse - there’s always this bitterness with you guys, as you know LA’s best days are behind them. And just cause I don’t put up with it, I’m the bad guy … OK.

Anyways, I expect a good game tonight from the Ducks. Scoring first always bodes well. Is this group just going through the motions, or are they trying to get results. Results = scoring. That’s the winning equation. Get at it!

I "think" the NHL did a remaining schedule comparison for every team a couple of weeks ago. The Ducks had one of the more favorable schedules in the Pacific
- quackup

My guess is that's because March and April are home heavy.

There was that one Kings fan that would come in here and stir the pot, but I haven't seen him in months, his name started with a V. Mostly I have only seen Kings fans in here defending the Kings from Memos constant bashing of the Kings.

But I agree, I would say the majority of Kings fans thought this season was going to be like last season and the Ducks would take the division once again. I have seen NO gloating by Kings fans, even when they were winning I think Kings fans thought they were playing well above their heads and it was going to come to an end at some point, which it did.
- LAkings96

Agree, I’m not sure the V guy is a Kings fan but who knows.

Yeah, that Verwu was a real bad apple, but you guys are a part of the same apple tree. That being, a crabapple tree. Ya know, you guys barge in here all sour about your team's atrocious second third of the season. And then - even worse - there’s always this bitterness with you guys, as you know LA’s best days are behind them. And just cause I don’t put up with it, I’m the bad guy … OK.

Anyways, I expect a good game tonight from the Ducks. Scoring first always bodes well. Is this group just going through the motions, or are they trying to get results. Results = scoring. That’s the winning equation. Get at it!
- IGotTheMemo

And you’re a real peach too!!

Yeah, that Verwu was a real bad apple, but you guys are a part of the same apple tree. That being, a crabapple tree. Ya know, you guys barge in here all sour about your team's atrocious second third of the season. And then - even worse - there’s always this bitterness with you guys, as you know LA’s best days are behind them. And just cause I don’t put up with it, I’m the bad guy … OK.

Anyways, I expect a good game tonight from the Ducks. Scoring first always bodes well. Is this group just going through the motions, or are they trying to get results. Results = scoring. That’s the winning equation. Get at it!
- IGotTheMemo

Any of you try crab apple jelly its pretty good would recommend

Yeah, that Verwu was a real bad apple, but you guys are a part of the same apple tree. That being, a crabapple tree. Ya know, you guys barge in here all sour about your team's atrocious second third of the season. And then - even worse - there’s always this bitterness with you guys, as you know LA’s best days are behind them. And just cause I don’t put up with it, I’m the bad guy … OK.

Anyways, I expect a good game tonight from the Ducks. Scoring first always bodes well. Is this group just going through the motions, or are they trying to get results. Results = scoring. That’s the winning equation. Get at it!
- IGotTheMemo

one can only assume you're being intentionally dense here with accusations of kings fans being bitter... coming from someone such as yourself. you'd be the textbook definition my friend.

both the Kings and Ducks have underachieved by fairly large margins this year. neither fan base has anything to gloat about. the difference lies in the expectations for these teams. the kings aren't viewed as true cup contenders anymore and are eventually going to have to start some version of a rebuild. the ducks appear to still be in a couple year window to win the Stanley Cup but haven't been able to get over the hump with their current core. Frankly, I'm shocked at how poorly the ducks are playing now that they have a relatively healthy lineup (Gibson appears close) and it's hard not to begin to wonder whether the deep runs they've gone on each of the last handful of years have taken their toll. happened big time to the kings after 2 cups and a conference finals in a 3 year period. it's understandable if that is the case. but ducks are built to win it now and for the kings this is essentially house money. that's the difference. should be an interesting finish for both teams.

one can only assume you're being intentionally dense here with accusations of kings fans being bitter... coming from someone such as yourself. you'd be the textbook definition my friend.
- Woodysdemise

Sounds like someone is still butthurt over the pummeling they received last year. Who could forget how you scurried out of here last year with your tail in-between your legs after I told you off? It's like you've spent the past year sharpening your claws, and now that your beloved Kings are sucking, you channel your life's failures at me.

Just cause you having coping mechanisms in league with an alcoholic, doesn't mean I'm going to put up with it. Unlike the Kings board, we keep things constructive here. It's not about compensating for our shortcomings, by inflating our ego. That's what the Kings board is for. A fitting culture for the land of smoke and mirrors?

You're not welcome here Woody.