As the Anaheim Ducks prepare to hit the ground running when they open up their season in Seattle on Oct. 9, fans are beginning to question whether this is finally the year that their seven-year playoff drought is finally going to snap.
The Ducks sought out to end a number of their woes this offseason, most notably their offensive struggles. Anaheim finished dead-last in power-play percentage last season and lost a number of games due to their inability to find the net. To fix this, Anaheim made multiple moves in the offseason, headlined by the additions of Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund.
Kreider, arriving via trade from the New York Rangers, has been regarded as one of the best net-front power play options in the league, when healthy, which can easily help the Ducks generate high-level offense from the slot. Granlund, who signed a three-year deal with the Ducks in early July has great power-play and offensive stats (including 116 career power-play goals) and is an incredible playmaker who can easily feed the puck to players like Kreider.
The Ducks also drafted Roger McQueen with their No. 10 overall selection over the summer. The center from the Western Hockey League adds depth to the Ducks already deep prospect pool.
Perhaps the biggest addition for the Ducks, however, comes from off the ice. After firing head coach Greg Conin at the end of last season — after a disappointing two-year stint at the helm —the Ducks brought in the most proven name available, former Stanley Cup champion Joel Quenneville. Although the Ducks must deal with the controversy he brings as a result of being a part of the 2010 Blackhawks sex-abuse scandal, as an offensive-minded coach, he’ll look to increase the Ducks’ offensive pace to make more shots available for skaters.
The Ducks will have to navigate 2025-26 without some key players, however. Anaheim traded Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers in the offseason for draft capital and some veteran help through forward Ryan Poehling. Zegras was once seen as a cornerstone for the Ducks, offering them young flair and offensive firepower but his tenure in Anaheim was shaky.
The Ducks will need big performances from their youth this season if Anaheim wishes to fill the void Zegras’ departure will inevitably create. The Ducks also traded longtime goaltender John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings. Gibson played 12 years in Anaheim, becoming a franchise favorite and the Ducks’ all-time leader in starts. Without the Gibson’s veteran presence, Anaheim will rely on younger netminder Lukas Dostal, who could enter a position battle with new Ducks acquisition Petr Mrázek.
The Ducks must also address their team chemistry. With such key departures over the offseason, Anaheim lacks a veteran name to gel the youth together. On a contract year and with incredible career offensive numbers, a player like Evander Kane would easily provide the Ducks with both more chemistry and depth.
Despite the rollercoaster of emotions that this offseason has provided for fans, the Ducks’ faithful will certainly be behind their new names this season as they fight for their first playoff berth since 2018.