I agree with a lot of your statements. But my opinion differs on some topics.

I think Zegras will score more than that. He scored at a 44 point pace last season, but he played on the Wing in 17 of the 24 games. In the last games of the season he played at Center, played far better and had 6 points in 7 games. And since he will likely play on a line with Comtois and Rakell, scoring should be a bit easier as well. I also think Terry could score 40 points. He had 20 points in 48 games last season and ie continues to get better, he can definitely score more than 33 imo.

Lineup:
Mosts Ducks fans expected Comtois-Zegras-Terry to be the first line, but it seems like Comtois and Zegras will play with Rakell. This could also boost Rakell's trade value because he'll play on a line that is better overall but also scores more.
Terry and Getzlaf will likely play together (coaching staff said so as well) and the LW will probably be Milano. Volkov will probably not get a Top 6 role.
Swap Lundeström and Henrique. Lundeström deserves a spot at Center and Henrique has played LW the whole preseason.

I think Zegras will score more than that. He scored at a 44 point pace last season, but he played on the Wing in 17 of the 24 games. In the last games of the season he played at Center, played far better and had 6 points in 7 games. And since he will likely play on a line with Comtois and Rakell, scoring should be a bit easier as well. I also think Terry could score 40 points. He had 20 points in 48 games last season and ie continues to get better, he can definitely score more than 33 imo.

Lineup:
Mosts Ducks fans expected Comtois-Zegras-Terry to be the first line, but it seems like Comtois and Zegras will play with Rakell. This could also boost Rakell's trade value because he'll play on a line that is better overall but also scores more.
Terry and Getzlaf will likely play together (coaching staff said so as well) and the LW will probably be Milano. Volkov will probably not get a Top 6 role.
Swap Lundeström and Henrique. Lundeström deserves a spot at Center and Henrique has played LW the whole preseason.

Sorry that my comment appears twice. I only posted it once, but there seems to be some kind of error.

Zegras-wise, I think we'll see closer to 55 pts from him. Once he was moved to C, he had 6 pts in 7 games. Super small sample, but playing with Comtois so far he's looked solid, and if Rakell stays on the line they could be a sneaky good line. I'd say Zegras/Comtois=55 pts. Rakell=50 pt pace and is traded at the deadline.

Might be me showing my Ducks bias, but I do think they'll surprise some teams this year, especially through the 1st month or so (.500 wouldn't blow my mind). By that point, I fully expect the injuries, lack of depth, and poor coaching to push us back to the basement by midseason though.

We do have a decent D-core (Hoping to see a step up from Drysdale this year defence-wise, and Manson at full strength, which he hasn't been for a couple of years), plus, Gibby is still one of the best. Team is (surprisingly) trending in the right direction. In theory, they *could* end up above San Jose and Seattle in the standings, but I would be surprised to see anything more than a 7th from the bottom finish.

Hahahah, I might as well have copied and pasted your reponse

So basically like the last 2 seasons The team looks solid the first couple of weeks and then everything goes downhill

Exactly! Only thing I worry about is that if they play reasonably well long enough, Eakins somehow manages to get an extension. I try not to wish ill on anyone, but he's not an NHL coach.

Side note: @sevenleg! Give us a heads up if you get the pool on the go again this year! Lots of fun checking in last year.

I just hope Bouchard is named HC after the season. I think he'd be a solid NHL coach. I think that's also the main reason why he chose to coach San Diego.

I'd be willing to if there was a way to @ more than three users in a post, otherwise I'm not sure I want to spend all that time for only like six people.

Fair enough.

I may be bias here, but I think we end up with Eichel some how (I wouldnt sell the farm for him, but he fits what this team needs at Center. Form the duo at center that every playoff team has) and we end up getting close to a playoff spot. Somewhere in the 12-13th spot in the west. I also think Zegras pushes close to 55-60 point range and takes the Calder. I think with a fully healthy D this year, it will make a far better showing than what most people are giving us credit for. Bob Murray needs a big year to retain his job. But, he couldve finally got off his rocker and knows a rebuild was needed two years ago.

Those are fair points, but I tried to avoid speculating on trades for this series unless a team is over the cap (Dallas).

I am not a huge speculator of trades wither. I'm a dreamer when it comes to those. But Eichel fits the mold of youth and what we are looking for. But I have a decent feeling about this team. I have seen the ups and downs of this franchise since day one. If the D stays healthy, it could be a shocking team. This D is very talented.