Anaheim Ducks Face Loss of Veteran Defensemen

The Anaheim Ducks are in danger of losing all three of their veteran defensemen to free agency.

The team's defense is at risk with John Carlson wanting to leave Anaheim and head back to an East Coast team.

What happened?

Anaheim Ducks veteran defenseman Jacob Trouba is likely to test the unrestricted free agent market, according to Pro Hockey Rumors.

Radko Gudas is also likely to test the waters, coming off a three-year, $4MM AAV contract.

Gudas played in just one postseason game for Anaheim this season, posting 13 points in 56 games played.

Why it matters for Anaheim Ducks

Losing these players would hurt Anaheim tremendously, given their wealth of experience and contributions to the team.

During the 2025-26 season, the Ducks posted 92 regular season points and skated into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The team defeated the Edmonton Oilers in a thrilling six-game series before bowing to the Vegas Golden Knights.

What comes next?

The Anaheim Ducks will need to make key decisions to replace their veteran defensemen if they leave in free agency.

John Carlson posted six points in the playoffs, and his departure would be a significant loss for the team.

Anaheim will have to consider signing new players or promoting from within to fill the gaps in their defense.

The team's performance in the upcoming season will depend on their ability to adapt to these changes.

And with the free agency period approaching, the Ducks will need to act quickly to secure their defensive lineup.

But for now, the future of the team's defense remains uncertain, with the potential loss of three veteran players looming.

So the Anaheim Ducks will have to be proactive in addressing these changes to remain competitive in the NHL.

The team's fans will be watching closely to see how the organization responds to this challenge.

Radko Gudas, the Ducks' captain, took a step back in terms of role this past season, skating in just 16:10 time on ice per game.

Jacob Trouba played in 81 regular season games, posting 35 points for the Ducks, and scored one goal in 12 postseason games.

The Anaheim Ducks will need to find a way to replace the experience and skill of these veteran defensemen if they leave the team.