dukitup

One doesn't need to touch a flame to know it's hot. When I was in college, we took a field trip to a courthouse to observe a case for the day. We chose the case. I happened to choose a rape case, and that particular day it just so happened the victim was scheduled to testify (answer the defense attorney questions). For the next few hours I sat there as the attorney tried to paint a picture of the rapist as the victim and the victim as the aggressor. I watched her anguish on the stand as every intimate detail of their encounter was dissected. To sit there and listen to this poor woman relive that experience was painful for me. Those of us that happened to observe the trial that day were deeply affected. On the bus ride back to school, some of the women broke down in tears, men got choked up trying to talk about what they had just observed. I completely understand why a victim doesn't come forward right away. I can understand why a victim would wait a decade or more before saying something. I can understand why a victim never says a word about the encounter. I could say more, but I'll leave it at that.

Your constant criticism of Gibson befuddles the mind, but be that as it may, the last two goals were not on him. You can't blame a ricochet goal or seeing eye goal on Gibson imo. He made a couple of spectacular saves that kept the Ducks in the game. I would focus more on the players in front of him instead.

Fair point. I totally forgot about the trade deadline. Back then the consensus was Getzlaf would sign and Perry would test the market. Nobody thought Murray would be able to sign both of them. Anyway, I'm not concerned Lindholm hasn't signed yet. I would love to be a fly on the wall right now with regards to Rakell (who Lindholm is best friends with) and his possible contract extension. Four goals in 6 games doesn't hurt his bargaining position, especially if he keeps this up. Also doesn't hurt his trade value.

When Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry signed their 8 year contract extensions, they didn't sign until March 8 and March 18, 2013 respectively of their UFA seasons. Their new contracts went into effect the 2013-2014 season. If Lindholm doesn't sign before April 1, 2022 then I might get concerned.

Just because Lindholm hasn't signed an extension by now doesn't necessarily mean he wants out and wants to test the market as a UFA. The one thing the Ducks can offer that other teams can't is an 8th year to any new contract. That's significant. I also think the team will be trending up after a couple of seasons. Say Ducks offer 6.75 x 8yrs = 54M (that's 7.71 x 7 for same $ amount) to stay and continue to live in Newport Beach. Very tempting offer. If a team is willing to go 9M, then I wish him well.

Those that advocate trading Lindholm, who replaces him in our lineup? He's only 27 and shows no signs of slowing down. I'm in the camp that wants to give him an 8yr extension around 6.5M per.

How does their success give the Ducks MORE of a return. I don't get it. The better the Isles do, the worse their #1 pick becomes. If getting Lindholm "puts them over the top" then their #1 pick is #32. Big deal. Basically you're then trading Lindholm for a 2nd rounder. No?

The Athletic came out with their ranking of all 32 starting G in the league, and Gibson was #5. Basically saying a star G on a crappy team. I'll never understand those that continually bash him. Thankfully others know his real value.

I decided to add DirecTV streaming instead of changing cable providers. Adds another $100 a month to my cable bill. Real simple to install as long as one has an open HDMI port on the back of their TV.

Why? He's been in the league since 2010 and in that time observed plenty. With the Eichel debacle he's deciding to speak out on what he's seen. His first tweet was today and already the NHL wants to meet with him to discuss his statement. Good for him.

Subscribe to The Athletic. Eric Stephens has an article on the Ducks a couple of times a week at least.

Fisix, you're smarter than that. At venues where alcohol is served, wristbands have to be worn AT THE CONCESSION STANDS where alcohol is being purchased to prove you're 21 years of age. That's what they do at the OC Fair. You're sitting at the Honda Center watching a Ducks game, wearing a wristband that's covered by your jersey or jacket. NOBODY is going to approach you at your seat, and ask you to show them your wristband. Come on.

Has anyone even paid any attention to those that are wearing masks? Half of them have the mask below their noses. I would love to have a dollar for everyone who wears their mask incorrectly. You think the ushers are going to police everyone exposing their nostrils? And DTS is right, the coaches (who have to be vaccinated), are standing behind their players (who are unmasked, but vaccinated), but in front of a plexiglass divider, wearing a mask. Then they're removing their mask every time they have something to say. It's ludicrous.

The info is on the Honda Center website. Proof of vax required (or negative test 72 hrs prior to event) and goes into effect Sept. 20.

The article states a BIG move the Ducks could make is to acquire Eichel. Unless one has just emerged from a cave, like within the last 24 hours, everyone knows the Ducks are trying to do exactly that.

That's what I was afraid of. Did the streaming last year. Can be quite frustrating. I don't want to go through the hassle of changing cable providers, so I acknowledge this predicament is of my own choosing.

I think Bally Sports is only available through DirecTV and Spectrum. Please educate me how to get it if I don't have either cable provider.

I guess I'm not as negative on this upcoming season. Not saying we're making the playoffs, but I'm not seeing us finish 31st in the league either. And to be honest, to have any realistic chance at the #1 pick we have to finish bottom 3. Puck luck and Ducks are not synonymous with each other. I understand it's a deep draft, but significant pieces come within the top 5 picks (yes exceptions abound). Last year was a major cluster F. Our PP set a record for futility. That's not happening this year. By default, we'll be better. Injuries will always play a factor, but last year 2 of our top 4 D missed over half the games played (Lindholm missed 38 games, Manson 33). While we were abysmal at home (6-18-4), we were fairly consistent on the road (11-12-5). Our road GAA placed 10th in the league. Let's see what happens with a healthy Lindholm, Manson, Silfverberg and a full year from Zegras and Drysdale. Maybe for once we have a fairly healthy year. Continued improvements from some of the kids, plus a rebound season from Rakell may result in a team not as bad as many predict. We'll see.

Since Eichel has a NMC that kicks in after this season, I assume there would be no drama as far as the Ducks are concerned. It's now or never.

1st bold - source 2nd bold - If he has the surgery he wants (disc replacement) the recovery time is about 6 weeks. If he has the surgery the team wants him to have (disc fusion) recovery time is 6-9 MONTHS. I'm not an orthopedist, but I "assume" if they fuse two or three discs in his neck together he will not "be the same player anymore" since his neck range of motion will be compromised. If anything, disc replacement surgery would practically minimize that issue.

At the trade deadline last year, there was only ONE trade involving players with term (more than one year on their contract). Any team trading for the players you mentioned would have had to protect them in the Entry Draft. Teams had trouble protecting their own players. Trade them this off season maybe, but with Rakell scoring 9 goals and Manson hurt most of the season, their value right now is at its lowest level imo. If the team flounders, and the players you mentioned have a decent season going, I think their trade value will be higher at the deadline.

If Eichel has the surgery he wants, recovery time is 6 weeks. Lindholm should be resigned if in the $7M range. He's our best defenseman and his skill set ages well. If the team flounders (which seems inevitable but one never knows), Rakell and Manson should be traded at the deadline. Their value right now is not nearly as good as it "could" be if they rebound this season.

Actually 2G in 21 games. Failed to mention his 16A (which results in a goal). So 18 points in 21 games playing with a jacked up neck. Over 82 games that's 70 points. Just saying.

For What It's Worth. A broken clock is more accurate than anything on Hockeybuzz. The Ducks correspondent also writes for the Kings/Sharks and maybe Seattle. The comments can be entertaining at times though.

Hockeybuzz/Eklund FWIW, posted yesterday.