Team: 2023-24 Anaheim Ducks

Initial Creation Date: Oct. 4, 2023

Published: Oct. 4, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Forwards:

We get the coveted TMZ line that has been popular on this site. Z moves to the wing to start while Leo is on the roster.

We've seen this second line of Frank - Leo - Strome a few times in preseason and I gotta think that is because Cronin and Verbeek are going to keep them together for Leo's first nine games.

Rico been playing a lot of center in camp and preseason games, I think he is our 3C answer while Lundy is out. Jones has looked good thus far, well deserving of third line time to start the season. I flopped between Silf or Nesterenko on the third line RW slot, but ultimately went with Silf. Could see it going either way

We've seen a lot of McGinn - Carrick - Leason in preseason, but if Nesterenko makes the team out of camp I think Leason gets waived or healthy scratched and Silf moves to 4RW and Nesterenko up to 3RW.

I have them signing Kassian too, not that I want this to happen necessarily, but the Ducks seem to be placing a large emphasis on physicality, standing up for teammates, and being tough to play against. Lots of youth on the back end this year, I could see them signing him as the 13th/14th forward so as to not have the younger, non-waiver eligible forwards sitting out games and add an element of physicality to the fourth line when he slots into the lineup.

I'd still love to see BO Groulx crack the line up this year, but just not sure its in the cards to start the season


Defense:

I think Fowler - Drysdale is the first pair to allow for Gudas to play with a young LHD on the second pair. It gives a veteran presence on each of our top two pairings.

LaCombe has impressed me the most this preseason, I think this dude is ready to jump into second pairing, paired with Gudas could be a really fun pair to watch.

Minty has looked excellent offensively thus far, though he is slide eligible I think the Ducks give him 9 games to see if he sticks over Zellweger. If he does, then great. If not, then he goes back to San Diego and that works better for us contract wise. Pair him with a physical defensive minded guy in Lyubushkin and give him 3rd pairing TOI. Zelly could fill his spot after the first 9, otherwise maybe Hagg?

I've got Lyubushkin ahead of Thomson on the depth chart, but honestly I am not sure what the team's plan is there right now. Can't send Thomson down, so he either rides pine or jumps Lyubushkin in the line up.


Goalies:

Dostal has earned his spot, is there really any debate here?


I had planned to another lineup for after the first 9 games, but my god its hard. The LW especially is difficult once you move Z back to Center. Might post that at a later time