Update - 18:05 PDT
The Ducks have placed Dany Heatley, Kyle Palmieri, Shea Theodore and Sheldon Souray on Injured Reserve.
Odd Man Out
Coach Bruce Boudreau decided on his goalie duo yesterday. Unfortunately, for Jason LaBarbara he was the odd man out. Frederik Andersen is the number one netminder to start the season and will be backed up by John Gibson. LaBarbara on the other hand is on his way to Norfolk.
I'm not big on second guessing, but I'm not sure about this one. There is no shame in Gibson starting the season in the minors. He can always be called up. Starting the season in the NHL is more complicated for him. If he plays like he did in the preseason, I don't expect him to be called upon very often and he won't get the work he needs to develop his game. By starting in Norfolk, Gibson would have the time he needs to take his game to the NHL level without the same urgency. The thing that concerns me the most is that Gibson isn't ready and will be need to be sent down mid-year.
Not done Yet
The Ducks are now at 26 players on their roster. They can only carry 23 players. Dany Heatley and Cam Fowler have various ailments that may keep them out of the opener. None of those injuries is serious, but do create the kind of administrative headaches we have now.
Still three must go. Even if Fowler, who returned to the ice yesterday, is a no go for the opener; there is no need to keep a roster spot for both Bryan Allen and Mark Fistric. Now we are down to 25.
Dany Heatley is still day-to -day, but is traveling with the team and the Ducks believe he will be ready on Thursday. Patrick Maroon is occupying Heatly's spot on the top line. Emerson Etem is back filling for Maroon on the third line. Should Heatley be ready to go, he will probably spend some time in the bottom six as to limit his minutes as well as get him up to speed. Devante Smith-Pelly has a one-way contract, so that most likely makes Etem a Norfolk Admiral. That brings the roster to 24.
Boudreau still hasn't decided on his third line center. Entering training camp Rickard Rackell was the favorite. William Karlsson has been very good this preseason and is challenging for the job. I like Rackel in this spot and I consider him the next man into the top-six if the need arises. Karlsson therefore is the one to be demoted. The roster is now at the required 23 and complete.
In the words of Lee Corso, “not so fast my friend…; there is more to do. First, Kyle Palmieri seems to have stalled in his recovery from a sprained ankle. There is no time table on his return. If he goes on IR, it opens a spot on the roster. The Ducks however, are not required to keep the full 23 player compliment and have been know to “save money whenever possible… in the past.
Additionally, there are still rumors floating about the hockeyverse that the Ducks are looking to trade for a top tier defenseman. I can see both sides of this one as to whether this is necessary, but for the sake of it, I'll go with an upgrade is needed. The question then becomes, who goes?, because teams aren't lining up to just give away good players for nothing. I doubt team will be asking to receive Ben Lovejoy, Brian Allen or Mark Fistric as a return and Cam Fowler isn't going anywhere. Depending on who the Ducks would land, one or two of Francois Beachemin, Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm would be moved.
At a time when roster questions are normally answered, there is still some uncertainties that remain unsettled with the Ducks.
-Ed