Anaheim Ducks

[STONE.]

How did Vatanen look in his first game?
Looks like he got some PP time.

[Carcillo]

How did Vatanen look in his first game?
Looks like he got some PP time.

Looked very good and was even playing on PP1 the whole game.

[jeffl97]

Yeah forgot to mention Vatanen looked really good. Few hiccups but that's to be expected for his first game. PP1 unit. Looked good to have a RH D out there.

[jeffl97]

Also Fasth played a fairly solid game, but his rebound control is pretty terrible. Luckily it didn't cost him this game but there's definitely room for improvement in that area. Ducks really need someone else besides Beleskey on the top line with the twins. And man Etem almost got his first NHL goal yesterday. And it really annoyed me that Boudreau wouldn't put Palmieri out there in the last minute to try and get the hat trick empty netter.

Bonino needs to go IMO, he's just too small and not that effective. Ryan was playing center on the 2nd line. Rakell looked good for the few games I saw him play (didn't play last night).

[Carcillo]

Also Fasth played a fairly solid game, but his rebound control is pretty terrible. Luckily it didn't cost him this game but there's definitely room for improvement in that area.

Fasth had a solid game but that goal was very weak. And Minnesota was just pathetic so Fasth wasn't really tested at all in this game. But still a solid game by Fasth and is showing enough so that Hiller doesn't need to play every game.

[STONE.]

Loved. This. So. Much.
Had to post it here as well as the Vatanen thread:

Vatanen helps himself
The Ducks recalled defenseman Sami Vatanen from Norfolk recently, with Cam Fowler out with an apparent head injury. Vatanen happened to be staying at the Sharks’ team hotel in Anaheim, and decided he wanted a cup of coffee before heading to the rink.

Rather than find a local Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, though, Vatanen waltzed right into the Sharks’ pregame snack room, much to the surprise of several players, many of whom had no idea who he was. He poured a cup for the road, and walked out.

Vatanen, a fourth round pick of the Ducks in 2009, played in his second game in the NHL on Monday.

http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/kevin...atanens-coffee

[First Round Pick]

8 year extension as per NHL Gamecenter update, no contract numbers yet

[ericdaoust]

8 year extension as per NHL Gamecenter update, no contract numbers yet

8.25 AAV

http://capgeek.com/player/311

[wendelclark17]

Fasth starts tonight

Eric Stephens ‏@icemancometh
Viktor Fasth will get the start for Ducks. Niklas Backstrom is going for Wild.

[ross10019]

Fasth starts tonight

Well pretty clear Boudreau's going with a 50/50 thing now. Hiller tosses a shutout, Fasth starts next game and tosses a shutout, Hiller starts next game and plays great, Fasth in tonight.

Not so bad for owners of either goalie, actually, with the way each goalie and the Ducks generally are playing.

[wendelclark17]

Hiller tonight:

Eric Stephens ‏@icemancometh 1m Looks like it's Jonas Hiller tonight for the start against the Blackhawks.

Helene Elliott ‏@helenenothelen 2m Hiller was first goalie off ice at Ducks' morning skate bfore Chicago game

Tracey Myers ‏@TramyersCSN 2m Ducks media folk tell us Hiller was the first goalie off today. Will start tonight vs. #Blackhawks.

[Big Ev]

Here's what Anaheim got for Ryan, IMO, in case you aren't familiar with the players.

Silfverberg:

Great two-way player, played the PK in his rookie year. Not a great skater, not physical, needs to find another gear if he is truly going to bust out. One of the best/fastest releases I've ever seen. Needs to adjust to the time and space in the NHL in order to score more goals. Great character, could be a captain one day. Overall, solid 2nd line RW.

Noesen:

Reminds me a lot of Nick Foligno. Has a bit of an edge with skill. Another guy who needs to work on his skating a bit. He has sa great slapshot but will make his living around the net, tipping in pucks and putting home rebounds. Big guy, another character guy, from Texas so you know he's worked hard for this. Plymouth used him on the point a lot on the PP. I like him as a prospect better than Silfverberg due to his physicality.

[MarmotKing]

Is Silfverberg's upside the same in ANA the same as it was in OTT? (Point-wise)

[Big Ev]

Is Silfverberg's upside the same in ANA the same as it was in OTT? (Point-wise)

yeah don't see how it changes. 2nd line guy, 50-55 point upside IMO. More goals than assists. I know lots of people think he has more points potential but I don't see it with his skating and the fact that he focuses on D first

[jeffl97]

Hey guys, long time since I've been a regular Dobber poster though I do try to chime in once in a while. Here's how I see things shaping up at the moment.

Penner - Getzlaf - Perry
Silfverberg - Bonino - Palmieri
Cogliano - Koivu - Winnik
Beleskey - xx - Etem
Holland, Staubitz

Souray - Beauchemin
Fowler - Allen
Sbisa - Lovejoy
Vatanen

Hiller
Fasth

I believe that Penner will get his shot in our top 6 and most likely with Getzlaf and Perry to start. The biggest thing he has going for him is he's left-handed, big bodied, familiarity with line-mates, and decent with board play (which Getz/Perry love board play). For a 1 year deal at 2 million, I don't believe this signing is bad. You may be wondering why I have Etem slotted on the 4th line? Well in my personal opinion I think it would be best to give him less responsibilities for his first full year in the NHL, then throwing him into a top 6 role as a sink or swim. He had success in the playoffs yes, but he was also playing on the 4th line then too vs the weaker competition. Give him 4th line duties and PK duties IMO. True the ducks have great prospects, but Palmieri, Etem, Silfverberg, Bonino in the top 6? Only one of those players (Bonino) has ever played more than 82 games in the NHL, and he's never even done that in a full season. I think it's best to temper expectations and have them ease into their role.

I don't know if I see Hiller re-signing next year, so depending how this season goes he could be traded. Due to that, I believe Fasth sees at least 50% of the starts to see if he can handle the load and then go with a Fasth-Anderson type combo. I recall reading that in the playoffs Fasth wasn't 100% healthy which is the reason Hiller was our goalie during that time.

Lydman wants to re-sign with the Ducks, and Vatanen also wants to play in the NHL. We have a logjam on defense though, so either Lydman won't be re-signed or one of Souray/Allen/Sbisa are on their way out. Lovejoy played great for us since coming over from Pittsburgh, and I like that he's a RHD, something the Ducks are lacking at the moment. Sbisa regressed last year and played absolutely awful. He is thought of having all the tools, but no toolbox. His hockey IQ has been his worst asset which is why I wouldn't mind seeing him traded, though he still is young and does have some upside.

As for future prospects, Rakell seems to be coming along nicely, and now that they traded for Noesen, I think they are going to try to be paired on a line down the future. Lindholm is also another one who could be NHL ready, as he really impressed last year. Like I said we do have a logjam on defense though. Would like to see some more out of Holland, but think he might be wasted as a 4th line C, which is why I think he might stay in the A for top line duties. Wish he was better on the draw.

That's all for now.