Anaheim Ducks
· 2026-06-29
The Anaheim Ducks are entering a new phase after a breakthrough season, with making the playoffs now the minimum expectation.
The Ducks finished 7th in the Western Conference with a 43-33 record and are on a W1 streak, but lost their last game 1-5 to the Vegas Golden Knights on May 15, 2026.
The team's performance was marked by the emergence of young players like Leo Carlsson, who scored 23 points in 26 games after recovering from thigh surgery.
Leo Carlsson is considered the franchise center and is expected to land a second contract that could make him the highest-paid player in Anaheim Ducks history.
Cutter Gauthier, a fellow critical core player, could also have a huge second contract coming his way, after finishing tied for 11th in the league with 41 goals.
The Ducks are expected to have some roster turnover, with general manager Pat Verbeek making moves to build on the team's success, and coach Joel Quenneville working with new faces.
Lukáš Dostál, the team's goalie, is signed long-term and is expected to remain with the team, despite a dip in his performance last season.
Mikael Granlund, a versatile forward, will be entering the second year of his three-year contract and is expected to provide secondary scoring.
Alex Killorn, a veteran winger, will be moving into the final year of his contract and is expected to remain a valued presence on and off the ice.
Chris Kreider, who started strongly with the Ducks after joining from the New York Rangers, will be entering a contract year and will need to be more consistent to keep his top-six role.
Beckett Sennecke, a 20-year-old rookie, has a ton of upside and will be leaned on to produce, especially with Troy Terry out for possibly the first two months of next season.
The Anaheim Ducks' roster moves will be crucial in determining their success in the 2026-27 season, and fans will be watching closely to see who stays and who goes.