Bobby Kittleberger: What if Kesler doesn't play? What the Anaheim Ducks lineup and gameplay style might look like without Ryan Kesler.

Yeah love Steel and Terry together for about 15 a night - but they handle 82 games with never playing close to that and still be effective- Then the question becomes what to do with NR?? 4th line with Gibbons & Rowney -
I’m also not sure w/ Kase playing the LS -

Need a big defensive center?

Say hello to Jori Lehtera.

Lehtera and Neuvirth for Ryan Miller....

Only 4 more years at 6.8Mil for Kesler - great deal!!

Where’s Ritchie?

Bobby Kittleberger: What if Kesler doesn't play?
What the Anaheim Ducks lineup and gameplay style might look like without Ryan Kesler.
- Bob Kittleberger

Then the world is a better place.

Where’s Ritchie?
- HardPuck

Well, technically he still hasn't been re-signed, but I went ahead and put him in on the third/fourth lines.

Then the world is a better place.
- PepinoPamplemousse

I'm inclined to agree.

I know it's just the fourth line, but I HATE having Rowney there. I'd much rather give Kassila or Roy a shot there if Kesler can't go. Also, I'd flip Perry and Silfverberg I think Kase-Henrique-Silfverberg would be a great line. They'd be good both offensively and defensively.

Only 4 more years at 6.8Mil for Kesler - great deal!!
- Brooks_Light

Repeat after me, L T I R. Then he gets traded to Arizona like every other LTIR player.

I know it's just the fourth line, but I HATE having Rowney there. I'd much rather give Kassila or Roy a shot there if Kesler can't go. Also, I'd flip Perry and Silfverberg I think Kase-Henrique-Silfverberg would be a great line. They'd be good both offensively and defensively.
- duxcup07

I doubt very seriously Perry is playing 3rd line. It's not gonna happen (even though I agree with your line combinations).

I actually think Kesler is playing. I assume (big mistake I admit) we would have heard something more definitive by now if not. You know he's skating and training full bore. If not around 80% or more, club has to know. I don't think he would have sent Johansen that tweet if not planning on playing.

Worst case scenario, Kesler goes on LTIR, Steele gets a chance at C, or Murray makes a move with the added cap $$$.

I doubt very seriously Perry is playing 3rd line. It's not gonna happen (even though I agree with your line combinations).

I actually think Kesler is playing. I assume (big mistake I admit) we would have heard something more definitive by now if not. You know he's skating and training full bore. If not around 80% or more, club has to know. I don't think he would have sent Johansen that tweet if not planning on playing.

Worst case scenario, Kesler goes on LTIR, Steele gets a chance at C, or Murray makes a move with the added cap $$$.
- quackup

If Murray made a move, I'd be shocked. That dude is all about the in-house.

If Murray made a move, I'd be shocked. That dude is all about the in-house.
- Bob Kittleberger

Well the options in house are pretty good as of right now.

Kesler needs to take the year off to rehab the hip and chirp Johansen on Twitter. In all seriousness though, Selanne used the lockout to repair his damaged knee and he came back and was dominant again. Instead of playing at 75%, Kesler can get back to health and come back strong next season.

Kesler is a big question for this season. But for the team to benefit from him playing he needs to be at least 90 percent. If he's less than that then he's replaceable. Really though he's never 100 percent. With the way he plays there is always going to be some bumps and bruises. But I honest wonder if can keep playing that style of play for much longer. And if he changes will that hurt his value. Because he's not as skilled as Getzlaf and Perry. He survives on pure willpower and physical play along with good hockey smarts. Probably best to move him to the third line. And maybe move his playing time down a bit. But we'll gave to see if Steele or henrique can take that 2nd line spit this year. In a perfect world that's what will happen

Kesler is a big question for this season. But for the team to benefit from him playing he needs to be at least 90 percent. If he's less than that then he's replaceable. Really though he's never 100 percent. With the way he plays there is always going to be some bumps and bruises. But I honest wonder if can keep playing that style of play for much longer. And if he changes will that hurt his value. Because he's not as skilled as Getzlaf and Perry. He survives on pure willpower and physical play along with good hockey smarts. Probably best to move him to the third line. And maybe move his playing time down a bit. But we'll gave to see if Steele or henrique can take that 2nd line spit this year. In a perfect world that's what will happen
- Eman87654

I do think having Kes on the third line makes more sense.

good luck finding a trading partner to absorb the last 27.5M of his contract. Doubt he retires and leaves that on the table.

Repeat after me, L T I R. Then he gets traded to Arizona like every other LTIR player.
- duxcup07

I see this a lot, how many LTIR players has Arizona actually acquired?

If Murray made a move, I'd be shocked. That dude is all about the in-house.
- Bob Kittleberger

Adam Henrique

If "in-house" falls short, he'll go trade route imo.

good luck finding a trading partner to absorb the last 27.5M of his contract. Doubt he retires and leaves that on the table.
- bikeguy99

Why would he retire? He'll just go on LTIR.

Why would he retire? He'll just go on LTIR.
- quackup

Regardless he's on the books for 4 years

Regardless he's on the books for 4 years
- bikeguy99

Finally got our Nathan Horton.

I see this a lot, how many LTIR players has Arizona actually acquired?
- Nucker101

Datsyuk, Horton, Hossa, Pronger, that's just off the top of my head.

In the case of Rowney, He has great faceoff skills int he D zone. One of top percentage wise in the DZone last year.

Datsyuk, Horton, Hossa, Pronger, that's just off the top of my head.
- duxcup07

now compare that number to the number of bad LTIR type contracts around the league over the last 5 years that were never moved