Season Preview – 29. Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have been a team in rebuild for what seems like an eternity now. Long have been the days when they were a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. Yet, General Manager Pat Verbeek is on a mission to build his team the right way, leaving no room for stinginess or wavering commitment. This season will be another dud in terms of competitiveness, but there will be tremendous growth from the young talent on this roster and we will likely see a final fork in the road for fan favourite Trevor Zegras.

Season Expectations

The most interesting dialogue that will outline the Ducks this season will be their outstanding new permanent jerseys. Whoever is responsible for this change should be considered a genius. The timing is perfect bearing in mind it represents a shift in culture that is taking place within the locker room and on the ice. As the Ducks start becoming competitive again, we will look back at this simple rebranding as a turning point in the rebuild.

There will hopefully be considerable growth from young players like Leo Carlsson, Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger and Cutter Gauthier. With these players looking to define themselves as top tier talents in the NHL, it will add another layer of excitement to this season. Their potential holds limitless upside and they will continue working on establishing themselves at the elite level. Furthermore, this could be the final season for fan favourite Trevor Zegras in a Ducks jersey, with rumours swirling around all offseason that a trade was imminent before it fell through at the draft.

Projected Lines

The Ducks have a plethora of young talent that can contribute immediately. However, it is difficult to predict how the lines will look throughout the season, largely by the fact it seems Ducks head coach Greg Cronin could be on the hot seat already. One thing for certain, we can see that there will be a balance of youth and experience playing together to maintain an efficient approach to development.

To clarify, these line projections are meant to only predict the start of the season. With so many potential combinations possible, its almost certain that there are tweaks and additions of new faces by the end of the year. Expect the season to start as such:

Cutter Gauthier – Leo Carlsson – Troy Terry
Alex Killorn – Trevor Zegras – Frank Vatrano
Robby Fabbri – Mason McTavish – Ryan Strome
Brock McGinn – Isac Lundestrom – Brett Leason

Cam Fowler – Olen Zellweger
Pavel Mintyukov – Radko Gudas
Brian Dumoulin – Jackson LaCombe

John Gibson
Lukas Dostal

Scratches: Ross Johnston, Jansen Harkins, Urho Vaakanainen

Line 1
Carlsson is the embodiment of a first line center, and being able to contribute on both ends of the ice only entering his second season is truly impressive. Adding a consistent scorer and player entering his prime like Terry, can be considered a no brainer. Gauthier on the other hand is the biggest question mark. A highly touted prospect built to be a star, should get all the opportunities available to transition into the NHL.

Line 2
With the rumours surrounding Zegras falling out of favour with the coaching staff, and also a potential trade this offseason, one can wonder if he is suited for the second line center. His skill set is no doubt elite, so if he can manage to find his two-way game with a veteran like Killorn on his wing, it would be a smart investment for the Ducks to make. Vatrano showed us last year that he can score at will, and he will help catalyze the playmaking abilities of Zegras.

Line 3
McTavish will most likely finish higher in the lineup as the season progresses. There is a lot to like about his game whether it be his commitment to hard work, providing leadership at a young age, or never backing down from a challenge. Pairing that skill set with the speed and finishing ability of Fabbri seems like a match made in heaven. If Strome can return to form, he can help establish this line as a legitimate secondary scoring threat.

Line 4
A hard working line that can break a cycle or provide physicality. Lundestrom can slide up in the lineup when injuries occur due to his natural abilities. Leason and McGinn are both hounds on the puck that can be an option to provide energy or a break for the top lines.

Pair 1
Zellweger is part of the new NHL defensemen breed that does not utilize size, but is all about the rush and offensive transitions. He can play the point on the power play and will be looked to produce as a rover on a team that desperately needs offense from its blue line. Fowler has already matched well with Zellweger in limited playing time last year and can continue to provide stability for a young rover like Zellweger.

Pair 2
Mintyukov was a bright spot for the Ducks last season. Showcasing his ability to use his body and produce offense was impressive enough to have him in the conversation for the Calder trophy at the beginning of the season. Gudas partnering with Mintyukov will help protect his mistakes and also give the Ducks a pair they can rely on in shutdown situations.

Pair 3
There will probably be some rotation between LaCombe and Vaakanainen throughout the season, as well as Ducks rookie Tristan Luneau. Dumoulin will be there as a defensive anchor and veteran presence to ease the transitions of both LaCombe and Luneau.

Goalies
Last season was a breakout year for Dostal, proving he has the makings of a true number one starter in the NHL. The Ducks will still run a tandem with Gibson though, in hopes of increasing his value or need on the trade market. However, all signs point to Dostal taking the reins as the 1A at the end of the season.

Scratches
These players will all get ice throughout the season in limited roles. Vaakanainen more so than Johnston or Harkins. However, it is key that the Ducks carry all three on their roster this season as they are already extremely close to the cap floor.

Keys To Success

Having sustained development of their elite young stars will be the defining moment of this season for the Ducks. Putting players in favourable matchups and instilling good habits into them will result in long-term competitiveness for the franchise. GM Verbeek also has a few major tasks on his plate. With Vatrano, Fabbri, & Dumoulin all on expiring deals, he will have serious contemplation on whether to keep them or move them. Furthermore, both Dostal and McTavish can be extended as of January 1st, and it would be wise for Verbeek to invest in at least McTavish long-term.

Potential Downfall

For teams like the Ducks that are projected to finish near the bottom of the league standings this season, the worst thing that can happen is stunted growth from their young core. There needs to be proper management from the coaching staff to have the balance of effectiveness and insulation from difficult matchups in order to build confidence. Also, Verbeek has looked tough to negotiate with, in the best way possible, so he will need to continue being firm on his trade negotiations as well as contract extensions. If Verbeek fumbles these, it could add more time before the Ducks can find themselves back in the playoffs.

Future Outlook

The future of the Ducks is brighter than the new home jerseys they will be sporting all season. Verbeek and company have made some crucial decisions and have shown they are not afraid to think outside the box or go with their gut. Drafting Beckett Sennecke at third overall this past draft came as a shock to most fans and analyst alike, yet the Ducks are confident they have a future star on their hands. If the younger players can make significant strides forward this year, coupled with consistency and defensive habits being formed, then the Ducks will be one step closer to being that sorely missed powerhouse in the Western Conference.

Final Thoughts

All though there is a lot of excitement surrounding the rebranding of the team this year, the shine of the new style will fade and the reality will set in that this Ducks roster is still a bottom tier team. However, they are already miles ahead most of the rebuilding teams. They have a healthy amount of assets and prospects that seem like true NHL impact type players, and this year will be one that can provide hope for fans for the following years. There is a lot to like about where the Ducks are headed, and there should be a complete confidence in Verbeek as he steers the Ducks back to consistent competitiveness.