New Additions: F Chris Kreider (from NYR), G Petr Mrazek (from DET), F Ryan Poehling (from PHI), F Mikael Granlund (3yr x $7M AAV), HC Joel Quenneville

Subtractions: G John Gibson (to DET), F Trevor Zegras (to PHI), F Isac Lundestrom (to CBJ), F Robby Fabbri (FA), D Oliver Kylington (FA), F Brock McGinn (FA), F Brett Leason (FA), HC Greg Cronin

Retentions/Extensions: G Ville Husso (2yr x $2.2M AAV), G Lukas Dostal (5yr x $6.5M AAV), D Drew Helleson (2yr x $1.1M AAV), F Sam Colangelo (2yr x $850k AAV)

For the first time since the Getzlaf-Perry era, the Anaheim Ducks enter the 2025-26 Season with expectations, the highest they have been this decade. Trying to put the rebuild in the rearview, they are desperate to make it back to the postseason, having missed the playoffs the past seven seasons. 

The (albeit controversial) hiring of legendary Head Coach Joel Quenneville gives fans faith in the team’s chances of success, as coach Q knows a thing or two about winning, ranking second all time in wins with 969 and counting. A three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, only missing out on the playoffs four times in a coaching career that spans a quarter century. 

Along with the veteran coach, two key veteran forwards join the squad, former 52 goal scorer Chris Kreider, and the second highest paid UFA forward this offseason, Mikael Granlund ($7M AAV).

Kreider is coming off of a down year, and a change of scenery may be what he needs, having spent his entire career in New York City. Even in a down year he managed to score 22 goals, he has been a consistent 20+ goal scorer, having cracked that plateau ten times. Anaheim needs a boost in goal scoring, having finished 30th in scoring last season, and having struggled in that department for a while. His veteran presence should be a welcome addition to the locker room, and he should provide a top-six forward role.

A few seasons ago Granlund seemed destined for a series of one year contracts and bottom-six scoring roles to finish his career. But after moving from Pittsburgh to San Jose as a part of the Erik Karlsson trade in 2023 he took advantage of the lack of forward depth and had 105 points in 121 games as a Shark. That combined with a solid showing at the Four Nations Faceoff (3 goals and 1 assist in 3 games) made him a hot commodity for contending teams looking to add, and he wound up in Dallas where he did not slow down, earning the 33 year-old a multi year contract worth over $20M.

Two former Ducks who had been in trade rumours for years have finally been dealt, as long time goalie John Gibson is now a Red Wing, and Trevor Zegras is a Flyer. The emergence of Lukas Dostal certainly made it easier to part ways with Gibson, and they committed to him as the goalie of the future with a five year contract with an AAV of $6.5M. Zegras just never took that next step after showing flashes early in his career, and after battling injuries mixed with mediocre production over the past two seasons, it was time for both sides to move on from each other.  

As of today, Mason McTavish is unsigned, but his rights remain with the team. His side wants him to get paid, whether it is in Anaheim or elsewhere. The team probably has a lower number in mind and has been patient with the negotiations as well as fielding trade offers. Given the team’s investment in him having taken him 3rd overall in 2021 and with still around $20M in cap space, I believe they get a deal done.

The defensive corps does not jump off the page but is quietly solid. With veterans in Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas, mixed with young puckmovers in Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov. Coming off a breakout season, Jackson LaCombe is emerging as the team’s number one defenceman. The 24 year-old Minnesotan potted 14 goals along with 29 assists, playing all situations, logging over 22 minutes a night. Entering the final year of his ELC, he will look to prove that last season was not just a one-off and cash in. 

In order for a team to take that next step, they need their best players to take that next step. I believe the X-Factor for the team’s success is Leo Carlsson. The 2nd overall pick in 2023, Carlsson has shown potential as a future first line center, displaying strong hockey IQ on both ends of the ice. But through two seasons, has only averaged 0.56 points per game, and Anaheim is looking for him to make that jump to near point per game production, especially if McTavish is not on the team to start the year. 

Anaheim is trending in the right direction, and eventually they will be back in the playoffs, but the road ahead is long and will come with no shortage of challenges. Most of the roster lacks experience and has not shown consistency over an 82 game season. Certainly having a coach with the track record of Quenneville will help, and the offseason additions should improve the team’s scoring. However, they were 16 points behind the second wild card spot last season, they will need lots to go right in order to make that leap. I think they are still a year away, but they will be competitive and in the playoff race until the final weeks of the season.