ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Anaheim Ducks will very likely miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth straight year, but that doesn’t mean the 2023-24 season has been a total loss.
The Ducks sit second-to-last in the Pacific Division, only trailed by the San Jose Sharks, and are due to receive another high draft pick. While the season has been full of negatives, the future may hold greatness if the pieces can come together. Through 49 games played, there’s no better time to reflect on Anaheim’s first-half highlights as the All-Star break approaches.
Frank Vatrano’s breakout year
Vatrano may have had an unconventional path to NHL relevancy, going undrafted and now playing on his fourth team in nine years, but the winger has found his groove in Orange County. Entering 2023-24, Vatrano was coming off a solid 41-point campaign in the previous season but now sits on the verge of passing his personal best with 35 points already, leading the Ducks.
While the first-time All-Star has drawn interest from contenders in the trade market, Vatrano has been the main contributor to the Ducks’ wins. His 21 goals include four game-winners, displaying his ability to score at will and be a veteran leader on a rebuilding team.
Vatrano’s breakout began right at the start of the season, when Anaheim looked like a dark-horse playoff team. The 29-year-old scored nine goals in the first month of the season and helped the Ducks win six straight games, including upsets over the reigning champion Vegas Golden Knights and Presidents’ Trophy-winning Boston Bruins. While the team fell off immediately afterwards, losing eight straight in the latter half of November, Vatrano didn’t lose his stride and has been a source of positivity throughout Anaheim’s woes.
Although Vatrano’s future on the Ducks is uncertain, Anaheim could certainly take advantage of his flashy trade value to help with the rebuild. Considering that he is having a career year, and the Ducks sit nowhere close to a playoff spot, moving him near the deadline could make for a good deal if they find a buyer willing to give up picks and prospects.
A big season for Adam Henrique
Like Vatrano, veteran center Adam Henrique is also having a standout season. As he heads into free agency, he’ll likely be moved before the deadline, but trading him might be in Anaheim’s best interest. The Ducks would likely receive some long-term pieces like draft capital or prospects in return.
Henrique has tallied a point in all but four games in January, which one can attribute to his speed and craftiness in the offensive zone. Henrique will hope to finish with a 50-point campaign, as he reached that mark in the 2011-12 and 2015-16 seasons. He has 32 already this year, so he’s in good shape to replicate his prior success.
The 33-year-old has been linked to a variety of playoff-hopefuls including the Avalanche, Devils, Jets and more. Be on the lookout for trade updates as Henrique has been a premier name on the market.
Young talent on the rise
While injury-ridden star center Trevor Zegras has played less than half of the Ducks’ games, Anaheim’s other young players have developed positively.
While already in his seventh season, right winger Troy Terry is still only 26 years old and has been a reliable, point-producing forward again this year. His 21 assists lead the team, and like Vatrano, he’s been clutch; most recently, his two goals against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday included the Ducks’ game-winner, which also extended his point streak to five games.
Center Mason McTavish had sky-high expectations when the franchise drafted him No. 3 overall in 2021, but his rapid progression has already proven him a standout pro. McTavish’s 30 points so far put him on pace to pass last season’s 43-point mark and the Ducks will hope to keep him long-term.
Picking center Leo Carlsson No. 2 overall last summer might have surprised Ducks fans, putting him ahead of the touted Adam Fantilli and other prospects, but Carlsson has already been proving doubters wrong. His size and offensive prowess have made him a shifty player that can generate points while also being physical, allowing him to evade defenders with ease.
Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov is currently on the injured reserve, but when he’s been on the ice, he’s been an elite passer at just 20 years old. The No. 10 pick in 2022 has been a major upside in the Ducks’ defensive zone.
While Ducks fans have endured a half-decade of pain, there will be a lot to look forward to in the coming years. Anaheim’s rebuilding phase has allowed them to combine veteran mentorship with promising prospects, something that has helped them develop young players into burgeoning stars.