Ben Shelley: Looking at the Ducks’ collapse in the back half of the season

With the Addition of McTavish and hopefully a couple other adds .. I'd like to think right on the cusp..

Need another finisher on the wing. And need to add a couple D.

But with some growth.. It's possible.

In Verbeek I trust.

How's SIMON and ASTON-REESE so far?

Both players were very useful for Pittsburgh. Simon has a high hockey IQ but can't finish. Aston-Reese is pretty good defensively and a lock for the 4th line.

How's SIMON and ASTON-REESE so far?

Both players were very useful for Pittsburgh. Simon has a high hockey IQ but can't finish. Aston-Reese is pretty good defensively and a lock for the 4th line.
- Barnaby36

Solid so far… both keepers … good wheels and smarts .. 3rd and 4th liners that can play.

How's SIMON and ASTON-REESE so far?

Both players were very useful for Pittsburgh. Simon has a high hockey IQ but can't finish. Aston-Reese is pretty good defensively and a lock for the 4th line.
- Barnaby36

They've been pretty much as you said, they've played well but both have had glorious scoring chances and haven't been able to finish.

Solid so far… both keepers … good wheels and smarts .. 3rd and 4th liners that can play.
- dozerD10

Fill in players that will work hard in the bottom lines. Nice.

They've been pretty much as you said, they've played well but both have had glorious scoring chances and haven't been able to finish.
- duxcup07

Just looked at their numbers and both have 3 points each in 15 games apice. They can do a little better than this scoring wise IMO. Two good characters.

BTW, Rakell is awesome. He has pretty good hands and is responsible defensively too. Very good hockey IQ. He meshed well with Crosby and Guentzel. That's something considering he dropped Rust to the 2nd line with Malkin and Zucker.

Just looked at their numbers and both have 3 points each in 15 games apice. They can do a little better than this scoring wise IMO. Two good characters.

BTW, Rakell is awesome. He has pretty good hands and is responsible defensively too. Very good hockey IQ. He meshed well with Crosby and Guentzel. That's something considering he dropped Rust to the 2nd line with Malkin and Zucker.
- Barnaby36

Raks is money.. he might disappear for a minute or 2. But that probably had more to do with being out of a race for past 3 yrs. He's feisty also.. doesn't take any grief.. Good playoff man..

They've been pretty much as you said, they've played well but both have had glorious scoring chances and haven't been able to finish.
- duxcup07

This is where Fiala comes into the equation..

Trade whatever pieces we need to for He and Chychrun ... And we are golden.

How's SIMON and ASTON-REESE so far?

Both players were very useful for Pittsburgh. Simon has a high hockey IQ but can't finish. Aston-Reese is pretty good defensively and a lock for the 4th line.
- Barnaby36

At the time of the trade I thought both of these guys were included to provide cap relief for Pitt and to help the Ducks fill out the roster through the end of the season with NHL players rather than calling up guys from SD who aren't ready for the NHL. Both are UFAs so there is no long-term commitment. Aston-Reese might stick if he wants to stay here. I think Simon is just keeping a seat warm until Max Jones comes back.

At the time of the trade I thought both of these guys were included to provide cap relief for Pitt and to help the Ducks fill out the roster through the end of the season with NHL players rather than calling up guys from SD who aren't ready for the NHL. Both are UFAs so there is no long-term commitment. Aston-Reese might stick if he wants to stay here. I think Simon is just keeping a seat warm until Max Jones comes back.
- hardenx

Mr. March of Dimes... This guy can't fart without hurting himself... If never plays another game for the Ducks I wouldn't mind that at all.

This is where Fiala comes into the equation..

Trade whatever pieces we need to for He and Chychrun ... And we are golden.
- dozerD10

Minnesota would have to work some real magic to re-sign Fiala. Ducks have the cap space and assets to make this happen if he becomes available.

As for Chychrun, I'd be a little skittish about his injury history - he's missed 30 games in 3 out of 6 seasons and 14 in another. I think Arizona is over-valuing him, and whoever gets him will overpay. He's a game changer when he's healthy, but he can't turn a team's fortunes around from the pressbox. Still, I wouldn't mind having him if you can get him without mortgaging the future.

Minnesota would have to work some real magic to re-sign Fiala. Ducks have the cap space and assets to make this happen if he becomes available.

As for Chychrun, I'd be a little skittish about his injury history - he's missed 30 games in 3 out of 6 seasons and 14 in another. I think Arizona is over-valuing him, and whoever gets him will overpay. He's a game changer when he's healthy, but he can't turn a team's fortunes around from the pressbox. Still, I wouldn't mind having him if you can get him without mortgaging the future.
- hardenx

Wild are screwed... I'm know we have the picks and prospect to get it done.. Just as long as Zellweger isn't involved in either deal.. I'm not including McTavish.. because he's in Anaheim next yr.

Anyone else I'd part with.