Duwamish3

Neither here nor there because Eakins is gone but I found this article in the Edmonton Register Citizen dated December 2014. (Of course for placing last, Edmonton won the lottery top pick and got Connor McDavid, while we lost the lottery top pick). Anyway, even with all those top players already on that team, McLellan coached Edmonton to only 70 points the first year after that - 103 points the year after that. I think the Ducks can get to 70 points this year. Probably not 103 after that. Back to the article. I've cut the beginning and the end but here's the middle section which seems like exactly what's happened here: "The firing came just over a week after MacTavish gave Eakins a vote of confidence, saying then the coach still had command of the dressing room and it was up to the players to turn the season around. "The losses have an emotional toll on everybody in the organization at least they should in particular the coaching staff,” MacTavish said. “I think the fact we weren’t able to get any traction at all after that, it led me to believe the time was right for a coaching change.” The poor play has resulted in poor attendance for a team that has not made the postseason since 2006. Rows of empty seats are common at Rexall Place and tickets can be had for fire sale prices. Hockey operations boss Kevin Lowe and owner Daryl Katz have not escaped criticism. Eakins, with a four-year deal, was seen as an X’s and O’s wunderkind, on the cutting edge of the new generation of coaches. It didn’t translate to the ice. The Oilers finished with the third-fewest points in the NHL in 2013-14 with a record of 29-44-9 in the one full season under Eakins. They were 7-19-5 this year, but the nature of the losses was what rankled fans on social media and talk shows. The Oilers, despite the likes of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle, and Taylor Hall, are averaging just 2.1 goals a game. The team has been mocked as soft, with forwards not wanting to fight for the puck, preferring to shoot from the perimeter with little follow-up. The defense has been exposed as erratic and undisciplined." (emphasis added).

After watching a couple of days in practice, Jones stood out a little more as a leader than others, but again, it was just a thought given Verbeek indicated probably no captain this year. Definitely no obvious stand outs for captain from anyone at this point of camp/pre-season. Also, Jones was hurt all of 21-22. Last year he played 69 games and was out a month for an injury from mid Dec-mid Jan which would account for the other 13 games. So other than the injury, I don't see that he had a hard time cracking the lineup or was sitting in the press box last year?

Went down and watched both practices on Rink 4 today. If I had to limit my comments to just one it would be regarding Max Jones. He was beating most everybody with his first step today and just looked quicker today than most. Then I started thinking, despite Verbeek kind of indicating that there would probably be no captain named again this year, to me Jones would make a good captain. Great attitude, looks like he's respected by everyone, and definitely one of the top players who'll step in and play on any line. Just a thought - always a dangerous thing to have....

Hoping Pastujov makes some heads turn. That could be a huge offensive spark in a couple of years. Myatovic looked a little lost yesterday for the top selection in the second round. Some guys just take a little longer so hopefully he gets put in the right spot in the Gulls or back at CHL.

You obviously want your best guys in for the full camp but not having Zegras in yet is providing two possible intangible positive results. First Carlsson is getting some great practice time with Terry and Killorn. That can only reap huge benefits down the road the longer he has to gel with those guys. Second, with no Zegras in the locker room, who desperately wants to be the leader of this team (and he is in the fans eyes), it gives all the other guys time to sort things out and perhaps lean more on guys like Killorn and Gudas. Pure conjecture but looking for positives. When Zegras does come back I have no doubt he'll reach the 70+ plateau anyway. Just staying out of the penalty box will get him the extra 10 points easy.

Today should be fun day to watch. Lots of great battles for positions up and down the lineup. Impressions from yesterday's practice: Leo Carlson looked WAY better than he did during Development Camp and Rookie Camp. He's definitely got the goods but some extra size would help him immensely. The battles for defensive positions is a highlight of this camp. Not sure which way they'll end up going but LOTS of great choices. Even Gudas looked really solid. Killorn was exceptional. That guy exudes experience and leadership. He's definitely going to be the difference maker on the top line to making it click. Cronin is hands on to the last detail. Interesting, but not surprising, that the guys that looked the most unsure were the Ducks that played with Eakins the last few years. The free agents looked comfortable with what Cronin was doing and so did the AHL/ CHL/college guys.

In any case, I'm sure there's not one of the 60 players reporting to training camp (63 minus Zegras, Drysdale, and Lundestrom) that's going to lose any sleep tonight over Zegras and Drysdale not yet signing. Or the next week, or the next month. On to training camp...!

Hmmm. Zegras is a potential yearly 100pt scorer, something that rarely comes along. Zegras is a hot head that got benched multiple times by Eakins last year. Zegras is loved by fans and makes an otherwise boring team somewhat exciting at times. Zegras takes an over abundance of foolish penalties selfishly leaving his teammates stranded. Zegras is the face of the Ducks selling tons of merchandise and game tickets. Zegras is ridiculed by the NHL in their commercials by showing him on a tricycle while other players are shown making miraculous goals. Zegras is willing to put the team on his back and do whatever it takes to score the game winning goal. Zegras has a reputation by other players of being a cheap shot artist. For every pro there's a con. What is a player like that worth to his team and teammates?????? Unfortunately, not only is there no bridge deal, bridges are being burned by both sides.

Probably should start a new thread on this but after watching the rookie tournament games and watching Mcilvane at work, the Gulls should be a MUCH improved and VERY exciting team this year. Even if some of those players make the Ducks team and some are sent back to CHL/college/international leagues, there are still going to be a lot of very good players with the Gulls. I'm already thinking about making a few trips down to San Diego!

Fubo Tv carries Bally Sports Socal and Bally Sports West and the San Diego Bally's

I'm just not on board with a five year deal in the mid 9M range, if I understand your posts, because of the glaring deficiencies I see with Zegras. But who knows maybe with a coach that holds him accountable as well as a great role model like Killorn in the locker room he hopefully becomes a later version Aho and a five year deal in the mid 9M range becomes a steal. But since you asked I'll use the first three years of Aho stats since he signed his 5 year deal after that and Zegras' last two years. For the 2016-17; 2017-18; and 2018-19 seasons AHO PIM: 26 - 24 -26. ZEGRAS first two seasons: 50 - 88 Aho face of win % rounded up: 49 - 45 - 49. Zegras: 40 -41 Aho short handed time on ice: 17:54 - 2:48 - 91:24. Zegras: 1:06 - 1:27 Aho beats Zegras on shots taken and shots made percentage for the first two years also.

Responding to earlier posts comparing Aho and Zegras and how those comparisons project into what Verbeek should offer or Zegras should take. The comparisons were based on goals/assists per season. I'd rather compare on a few more stats because in Zegras' case those other stats cloud the typical goals/assists comparison. No more no less.

Sorry but couldn't resist one more stat comparison with Sebastian Aho but this time Zegras was better. Shoot out shooting percentage 2022-23: Aho 50% ( one goal for two attempts); Zegras 66.7% (four goals for six attempts). So maybe the bridge deal goes up to 7.30M- 7.8M. 😁 Is there a McTavish appreciation page? That guy is our real franchise player.

Short handed time on ice: Sebastian Aho 2022-23 - 134:06; Trevor Zegras 2022-23 - 1:27 Could keep going but Aho extension at 9.75M for seven years equates to Zegras with bridge deal at 7.25M - 7.75M. And that's only because he's worth getting fans in the seats and merchandise off the shelf for ownership.

Faceoff win percentage 2022-23: Sebastian Aho 51% - Trevor Zegras 41%. And that was with Aho taking twice as many face-offs as Zegras. Is Zegras a true centerman worthy of a big $ contract when you have to keep substituting another player to take your face-offs when you're on the ice? The bigger question is whether he's teachable.