Ed Stein: Ducks Need a Cut-Man

If this year begins like last year (and so far, so bad), can and should Barstool Bob keep his job? Are the problems related to depth at the wing, or perhaps about adjustment (or readjustment) to Randy's style of play? Will Gibson be as good as Freddie was (and who is now having a terrible start)? Too many questions only 5 games in.

Question: What makes a game winnable or not?

In my mind, solid goaltending gives every team a chance. Mason vs Gibson should be a good duel, or will it be Neuvirth and Bernier? Does it matter? Philly and Anaheim are both looking terrible. Will tonight be the turnaround for one of them?

Figure the Ducks will make moves once they get home. After the game tonight, they're in the state until the Nov. 9 game @ Columbus. Raymond/Stoner will be sent to San Diego. Thompson and possibly Despres will be placed on LTIR. Ducks will have enough $ then to sign Lindholm.

We'll send you JVR and a 2nd for that "Bust of a Defenceman" Lindholm!

We'll send you JVR and a 2nd for that "Bust of a Defenceman" Lindholm!
- .HOHO.

bust?

Yes the offense has been weak no doubt but what bugs is the inability of this team to play a complete 60 minutes - fits and starts with some really solid play - and then the wheels come off for a while and they lose by one -
Need to stop immediately taking offensive zone penalties - that is just crazy - and last yr he played ok after a horrendous start - but anytime that KB spends on the PP might as well be given to just about anybody else - and this team is not nearly good enough to have Boll out there for any length of time - they would be better with Julius Nattinen playing -
JG and JB have at times been really good - and if they get the kind of goal tending they got in Jersey and the Island this team will be just fine in net -

In my mind, solid goaltending gives every team a chance. Mason vs Gibson should be a good duel, or will it be Neuvirth and Bernier? Does it matter? Philly and Anaheim are both looking terrible. Will tonight be the turnaround for one of them?
- Asplanchna

I see you've tuned in to the Blackhawks game, also Mason and Gibson are the confirmed starters

Bust with a winky!!

Do you really need to ask?

well any player you choose to pay Bernier 4 million and guys like Boll and vermette for combined 2 million he must be a bust

I kid =, Lindholm is a great player just terrible cap manahgment

We'll trade you Zatkoff for Bernier, straight up.

That will give you an extra $3.25M to put towards a Lindholm contract.

We'll trade you Zatkoff for Bernier, straight up.

That will give you an extra $3.25M to put towards a Lindholm contract.
- tkecanuck341

Gibson hasn't shown he can stay healthy. If we trade Bern, Ducks could be in the same position as Kings.

I have this feeling that moves are already planned to get Lindholm signed; they are just waiting for the end of the road trip, but honestly who knows.

We'll trade you Zatkoff for Bernier, straight up.

That will give you an extra $3.25M to put towards a Lindholm contract.
- tkecanuck341

We can get Lindholm signed without moving Bernier. Besides, after watching Zatkoff the last 2 games, Ducks see what would happen should Gibson go down. I don't get why you didn't keep Enroth? Didn't he sign for only 750,000k with Toronto? He's better than either one of the backups you have playing now. imo

I see you've tuned in to the Blackhawks game, also Mason and Gibson are the confirmed starters

My wife is from Scranton so we watch every Flyers-Ducks game and there's always lots of cursing, usually by her. I hope tonight is the same

Think the Ducks would give up Theodore to move a contract like Stoner?

Hell no. Especially hell no if we trade Fowler.

Hell no. Especially hell no if we trade Fowler.
- Bombay1993

Moving Fowler seems like the best course of action.

Moving Fowler seems like the best course of action.
- BetterCallSaul

Fowler has been our best Dman by far. I think Murray is trying to keep him AND sign Lindholm. Problem is Stoner/Bieksa/Despres (with concussion symptoms) are pylons right now.

We can get Lindholm signed without moving Bernier. Besides, after watching Zatkoff the last 2 games, Ducks see what would happen should Gibson go down. I don't get why you didn't keep Enroth? Didn't he sign for only 750,000k with Toronto? He's better than either one of the backups you have playing now. imo
- quackup

Enroth was not happy in LA. The choice to leave was his. He wanted to go somewhere where he would get more playing time.

Enroth was not happy in LA. The choice to leave was his. He wanted to go somewhere where he would get more playing time.
- tkecanuck341

Boy, hindsight as they say. With the way Andersen has started, he may get his wish.

I don't find it as bleak. They seriously outplayed Dallas & lost. 4 games in 6 nights Dallas, Pit & NYI back to back & then NJ travelling all the way to the east coast & now tonight in Philadelphia, 5 games in 8 days with out Rackell & Lindholm. The D has played fine but Rackell would allow for Ritchie to move back to the 3rd line to play with Vermette, Rackell sliding in to play LW with Getzlaf & Perry as he did early last season.

An unfortunate start but a brutal road trip to start the season with out 2 of their best players. All good. 78 games to go.

I forgot to mention. Gibson hasn't played well in his 3 starts.

Fowler has been our best Dman by far. I think Murray is trying to keep him AND sign Lindholm. Problem is Stoner/Bieksa/Despres (with concussion symptoms) are pylons right now.
- quackup

If Simon goes on LTIR could free up some money - how much who knows - If trading pieces - Cam seems the most likely -
if you could package that with Stoner might might might be worth it - would free up 7.25 take back picks and prospects - even if you had to retain a bit of salary ... say mil or so - still frees up 6 or so for 47 -

I forgot to mention. Gibson hasn't played well in his 3 starts.
- striker777

Come on. He single-handedly kept the Ducks in the game against New Jersey. N.J. had 7 PP and Gibson gives up a total of 2 goals and you don't think he played well?