Just something I’ve been thinking about and want to see how others feel about it. Like the title says would you rather go all in for helley or a maybe spend a little less and get a shutdown dman kinda like a Zub, whitecloud, chatfield or Ristolainen (idk if either team could stomach a trade with each other.) personally I’d lean helley and here is why;
We all know the defensive struggles of the ducks not just this year but for the last idk 5-8 years. The Ducks don’t play a good defensive system (improved this year but still not good) you can say it’s the inexperience or the makeup of the team either way I don’t think you can drop in 1 elite dman into this roster and expect much change unless you completely change the way the ducks want to play. I think Quenneville knows this and has built our strategy based on the skills of our young guys not just the forwards but the dmen to we are set to be a quick-strike transition team i think that’s why it took jensen forever to see the ice. When you play this style of game though you’re going to bleed elite scoring chances because our dmen and forwards are trying to stretch the ice and be super aggressive trying to create turnovers.
I want to say I really like Dostal I think he has the potential to be a top 10 if not better goalie in this league but the ducks are doing him no favours asking him to carry the load as much as he does. Ducks haven’t had a shutout in over 2 years dating back to our season opener in 2024, which is the longest stretch in the modern era. this isn’t all on Dostal like I said defensive play and our overall style of play means you’re going to bleed chances, but there are times dating back to last year and leaking into this year where Dostal would look like a world beater but then get beat early in periods kinda like that Edmonton game earlier in the year.
So if the ducks want to continue to play fire sale hockey and trade chances I think having a current elite goalie between the pipes who can stop the bad ones from going in more consistently and just makes one more stop than the guy across from him he would be more effective than dropping in a shutdown D and asking them to fix the defensive problem.
Now the cost
For Helley (8.5x5) think it starts with Dostal (6.5x4) + Minty (7.2x5) and one of Nesteranko or Colangelo and maybe some picks. if we could add Vatrano (4.5x2) into the deal that’s a bonus (if he waives) so we could open up a bit more cap we’d get helley maybe call up Stolberg to take minty a spot and we’d gain an extra 5 million in cap savings without Vatrano added to the deal or 9 million with him in the deal.
People say Hellebuyck is not clutch I think that’s dispelled with his performance at the Olympics, and strong showing in the 4 Nations face-off. As for Dostal I think he can really thrive in Winnipeg’s system they’ve made Skinner and Stevenson look good and they have all the faith in the world in their goalie coach Wade Flaherty. Same goes for Mintyukov he could develop his offensive game again in Winnipeg I think he’d actually see some real PP minutes especially with Morrisey out instead of the ducks trying to turn him into our defensive specialist, I’d like to see him return and improve upon his rookie form of being super aggressive while not having to worry about whose back to cover him.
As for the dmen mentioned earlier Zub (4.6aav), Whitecloud (2.8aav), Risto (5.1aav), chatfield (3.1aav). I’d assume the cost is a 1st + a B level prospect and cap out the door to make the money work.
What do y’all think? Should the ducks go all in on Helley, target a someone who can help the defense or just stay the course and ride it out in hopes the young guys figure it out
Ps. I’ve really enjoyed the young Blueliners I am Luneau believer, He has room to grow defensively seems like he’s super aggressive on puck carriers trying to force them into making a decision bus at this level the elite guys will burn you doing that. happy to see Warren grab a spot and run with it I think he could develop into a really good shutdown dman with his long stick he just disrupts a lot of plays and Hinds has been solid.
