The season doesn't start tomorrow. It starts in October. Some of the people that left this season were acquired later in the summer last year. More moves are coming. Count on it. I don't know why this is such a mystery to "fans".

- quackup

Just more of the same from Murray - I dread the " moves that are coming " what Vrbata ? Or maybe Bickell for his toughness - I'm just stunned by this offseason -
so sad

I think Murray is just waiting. Ducks have Rakell and Lindholm to sign (which he said would get done in August/September) and don't think they want to overpay for any free agents until they get them locked up. They have enough pieces and they are for sure going to move one of the defense for a forward (probably a left handed LW).

Projected Lineup:

Ritchie / Getzlaf / Perry
Raymond / Rakell / Silf
Cogliano / Kesler / Noesen
Garbutt / Wagner / Boll

Maybes:
Max Jones - very doubtful, but Fowler made the team under Carlyle at 18
Noesen - still needs to sign, but needs to show he can stay healthy and be effective. I'd slide him or Silf into the 2nd or 3rd line RW.
Raymond - We will see where he slides. Most likely he will be the 13th forward or slide up and down as needed. Don't think he is a realistic 2nd line LW option.
Kerdiles - ready to step up, similar to Noesen and needs to show he can be a full-time NHL player


Lindholm / Manson
Fowler / Vats
Theodore / Bieksa

Extra Defense:
Stoner - was injured and not sure how healthy he is. Most Ducks fans are projecting he gets moved for some pucks
Holzer - good cheap, depth move
Guenin - will spend most of the time in the AHL and called up for any injuries

Thompson: IR

Corey Perry played his best hockey under Randy Carlyle. That 2010-2011 season was something special. Also, he led this team to a cup. That 2007 team played their absolute best in the playoffs. They peaked in June, not in February.

The primary strengths of this team is the center depth, defense and goaltending. Call Getzlaf and Kesler old war horses whatever. When they lace em up before stepping out on the ice. You get two alphas that are competitive as hell. That'll be the case today, tomorrow and 6 years from now.

The scouting team has done fantastic with finding defensemen. That plethora of talent is now being coached by Scott Niedermayer, which is an outstanding benefit that'll really begin to be on display this season as Fowler, Vatanen, Lindholm, Despres and Mason get more games played. Meanwhile, they'll have "I need more from you right now" being hounded on them compliments of Randy Carlyle.

Gibson is a good goaltender.

As for the excess defensemen. Even with the fill ins. These guys are professionals with hundreds of games played that'll have been through training camp, know the players and system. Bob Murray hates nothing more than having a "Ralph" on the blueline.

The winger situation is the next area of focus for management. Often times the Ducks struggles stemmed from wingers not getting open to assist Hampus and company on the breakouts. Then the stupid penalties by people who haven't spent a second on the PK their entire NHL career. I've said it before and I'll say it again. This team is lean and coachable. That works for me.

I'd add Ottawa to the mix. Seems to be no direction. Bubble playoff team that did nothing to get better than the teams they were already behind on.
- systemtool

Sens are capable of making the playoffs, just depends on injuries.

Corey Perry played his best hockey under Randy Carlyle. That 2010-2011 season was something special. Also, he led this team to a cup. That 2007 team played their absolute best in the playoffs. They peaked in June, not in February.

The primary strengths of this team is the center depth, defense and goaltending. Call Getzlaf and Kesler old war horses whatever. When they lace em up before stepping out on the ice. You get two alphas that are competitive as hell. That'll be the case today, tomorrow and 6 years from now.

The scouting team has done fantastic with finding defensemen. That plethora of talent is now being coached by Scott Niedermayer, which is an outstanding benefit that'll really begin to be on display this season as Fowler, Vatanen, Lindholm, Despres and Mason get more games played. Meanwhile, they'll have "I need more from you right now" being hounded on them compliments of Randy Carlyle.

Gibson is a good goaltender.

As for the excess defensemen. Even with the fill ins. These guys are professionals with hundreds of games played that'll have been through training camp, know the players and system. Bob Murray hates nothing more than having a "Ralph" on the blueline.

The winger situation is the next area of focus for management. Often times the Ducks struggles stemmed from wingers not getting open to assist Hampus and company on the breakouts. Then the stupid penalties by people who haven't spent a second on the PK their entire NHL career. I've said it before and I'll say it again. This team is lean and coachable. That works for me.
- IGotTheMemo

The game gets faster each year, Getz and kesler is allready slow. To think they will dominate in six years is a bit optimistic.

Gibson is good but unproven.

Defence is good, and wingers are bad i agree on that. They should have offered Oilers a stud D for hall.

I think Murray is just waiting. Ducks have Rakell and Lindholm to sign (which he said would get done in August/September) and don't think they want to overpay for any free agents until they get them locked up. They have enough pieces and they are for sure going to move one of the defense for a forward (probably a left handed LW).

Projected Lineup:

Ritchie / Getzlaf / Perry
Raymond / Rakell / Silf
Cogliano / Kesler / Noesen
Garbutt / Wagner / Boll

Maybes:
Max Jones - very doubtful, but Fowler made the team under Carlyle at 18
Noesen - still needs to sign, but needs to show he can stay healthy and be effective. I'd slide him or Silf into the 2nd or 3rd line RW.
Raymond - We will see where he slides. Most likely he will be the 13th forward or slide up and down as needed. Don't think he is a realistic 2nd line LW option.
Kerdiles - ready to step up, similar to Noesen and needs to show he can be a full-time NHL player


Lindholm / Manson
Fowler / Vats
Theodore / Bieksa

Extra Defense:
Stoner - was injured and not sure how healthy he is. Most Ducks fans are projecting he gets moved for some pucks
Holzer - good cheap, depth move
Guenin - will spend most of the time in the AHL and called up for any injuries

Thompson: IR
- CptAhab

Noesen needs another year in the A. Respectfully disagree that he is ready. Got a lot of chances to watch him play this year and I do not think he is ready just yet. Maybe mid-season if he is in good form.

There's a lot of time left, but so far it's been pretty brutal for them, and the free agency crop is extremely weak at this point. Thompson, Raymond, Garbutt, and Boll are as of right now all slotted as starters, which is possibly the worst bottom 6 I've ever seen on a supposed cup contender.
- Girouxsalem90

Thompson is out until at least March. So is the bottom 6 better or worse?

St. Louis.

The game gets faster each year, Getz and kesler is allready slow. To think they will dominate in six years is a bit optimistic.

Gibson is good but unproven.

Defence is good, and wingers are bad i agree on that. They should have offered Oilers a stud D for hall.
- Cloud

Sorry but in what universe is Kesler slow?

ducks fans have a projected lineup? does seem like a ton of forwards out the door

Rakell-Getzlaf-Perry
Silfverberg-Kesler-Ritchie
????-Cogliano-Raymond
Garbutt-??Wagner??-Boll

Vatanen-Stoner/Fowler
Lindholm-Manson
Theodore-Bieksa

Gibson
Bernier

Hopefully dealing out Fowler for a top 6 LW is in the playbook for BM, because this team looks rough on paper. Go to take a look at their roster right now, only 10 forwards (including Thompson) and 10 d-men. I think it would be wiser to move pieces like Fowler and Despres over Stoner. Stoner and Manson provide a much needed physical presence, and the return for a Despres / Fowler could yield some good top 6 F returns.

Maybes:
Max Jones - very doubtful, but Fowler made the team under Carlyle at 18

- CptAhab

Last year was his first season in London, very doubtful.

Maybe Fowler should have stuck out juniors a few years more, he still can't surpass his rookie point totals.

Last year was his first season in London, very doubtful.

Maybe Fowler should have stuck out juniors a few years more, he still can't surpass his rookie point totals.
- getzlaugh

His rookie point totals were under Carlyle also.

Noesen needs another year in the A. Respectfully disagree that he is ready. Got a lot of chances to watch him play this year and I do not think he is ready just yet. Maybe mid-season if he is in good form.
- Jason_Lewis

Just another guy drafted in the first round with high hopes. He is and always be a fringe NHL player.

Just another guy drafted in the first round with high hopes. He is and always be a fringe NHL player.
- Erik6Karlsson5

I'm a Gulls season ticket owner too. I saw Noesen play down here last year. He's not a fringe NHler. He's an average AHLer.

Rakell-Getzlaf-Perry
Silfverberg-Kesler-Ritchie
????-Cogliano-Raymond
Garbutt-??Wagner??-Boll

Vatanen-Stoner/Fowler
Lindholm-Manson
Theodore-Bieksa

Gibson
Bernier
- getzlaugh

WTF?! with this lineup. Either you are just listing players or left/right wing & defense and Top pair/bottom pair don't mean much to you. The only part of this that is correct it Getzlaf, Perry and Kesler.

WTF?! with this lineup. Either you are just listing players or left/right wing & defense and Top pair/bottom pair don't mean much to you. The only part of this that is correct it Getzlaf, Perry and Kesler.
- sniper11

Not just listing, let's see yours. This team doesn't have a lot to work with until BM goes out and signs some forwards.

With Thompson out, Cogliano back to 3rd center isnt farfetched. Rakell is too good to not be in the top 6, he had great chemistry last season with 15 and 10. If BM doesn't pick up a top 6 LW (which I think he will), Rakell stays on the top unit. We will see Ritchie make strides this season, and I can see him slotted with Kesler-Silfverberg.

Vatanen-Stoner(or Fowler) would be my top pairing. The youth movement my 2nd, and the rookie/vet combo for my 5 and 6. If Fowler stays, Stoner would be my 7th man scratch. If 3 hangs around, he has great chemistry with 45 and plays an extremely responsible game in the D-zone. If I were BM I'd shop Despres too.

Now, let's see yours.

His rookie point totals were under Carlyle also.
- quackup