Anaheim Ducks: Three Musts on the Off-Season Checklist

There are roughly four months to go before training camp opens, and while the Anaheim Ducks haven’t been on the hockey map since the regular season wound down, their fun has yet to get started. Here are three items, predictions even, that may come over the summer.

1.       Hiring a new coaching staff

Let’s start with the most obvious one. Recently the Ducks let go of the entire staff for their AHL team in San Diego, and while the official news was the Ducks going in a different direction, a recent interview with David Weiss in Montreal (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjG-fFQ_vW0) paints a grim portrait of Bouchard as a developmental coach. One mans interview certainly doesn’t account for everything about a person, but it would showcase the Ducks wanting to move in a different direction in the future.

Again, a big if, but “if” this is true, then a change in developmental process should be cause for celebration for the Ducks faithful. Over the past decade, the Ducks have been considered to be a strong drafting team. Despite this seemingly strong history, they don’t have many players who have become more than role players, despite their junior hype. Isac Lundestrom, Sam Steel, and Jacob Larsson are prominent names leading this list. Conversely, there are many players who have excelled but only did so after they left the nest. Shea Theodore, Marcus Pettersson, and Kyle Palmieri lead this list. But there’s no need to debate this point to death just now.

It is worth mentioning that current Ducks head coach, Dallas Eakins, has a part to play in that development curve given that he was the AHL coach for four seasons. However, the road to success takes many small steps and this AHL coaching change is the first of those in a new system for General Manager Pat Verbeek. The Ducks will have numerous young prospects entering the AHL system over the next couple of seasons, should they use even half of their draft picks in these next few drafts. These prospects will likely play with current older drafted prospects such as Brayden Tracey and Jacob Perreault, and the recently acquired Drew Helleson.

Developing these players so that they may come into the top men’s league with developed bodies, an NHL skill level, and the tactical knowledge to implement it, is a key platform for any successful championship team. One only has to look at the Tampa Bay Lightning to see the players they’ve seemingly pulled from nowhere in the draft and molded them into elite NHL players. A new coaching staff may not be as exciting as acquiring a new players, however, this could be the most impactful decision of Verbeek’s tenure with the Ducks no matter how long he stays. It’s one thing to talk about the future and another entirely to actively work and build towards it. We should all be on the edge of our seats waiting to see what happens in this space.

3.        A top-6 forward will be added

Pat Verbeek has made it known over and over again that he hopes to surround Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry with more skill and talent. The Ducks have numerous young players who may be asked to fill the role, but it’s arguable whether Mason McTavish, Jacob Perreault, or Brayden Tracey are ready to take that role on just yet. Sasha Pastujov is still some years away, and some may ask whether his lack of foot speed will fit with the current group – his place may be on a “third” scoring line with some slower skaters.

Patience in development is surely the right call for the prospects, however, Verbeek has also suggested that Troy Terry is a core piece of the team. That is fine in it’s own right, as Terry isn’t old by any stretch of the imagination. However, Terry will be 25-years-old to start the next season, and with what we know about aging curves, it’s likely his best years will be within the next two seasons, before he slowly declines. How much of a decline is debatable, however, it’s worth noting former Ducks Rickard Rakell and his play between his 30-goal seasons and his trade at 28-years-old. Still good enough to be part of a competitive team, but no longer a driving force behind it. Assuming similar from Terry means that the clock is ticking for Verbeek and the Ducks to build a contender in short order.

The net minding will rest upon the hopes that John Gibson will return to form not seen in years. The defense is a mixture of young talent and veteran leadership. Thus, the top-6 is the clear point of improvement. Going hard after a good veteran is likely going to cost the Ducks more than they can afford and mortgage a future on the hopes of right now. However, there are young-ish players who may be available and who somewhat fit the Ducks youthful timeline.

Kevin Fiala is the name on everyone’s lips due to the Wilds salary cap crunch. At 25-years-old he slots right in next to Terry as a player in his prime who could be around and performing for a few seasons more. Filip Forsberg and Nikolaj Ehlers are both under 30-years-old and provide a mix of veteran play and scoring prowess. Ehlers, especially, seems to fit with the Ducks core group good skaters and is almost illuminated by Verbeek’s recent comments about the Ducks being to slow compared to their peers.

With a boatload of second round picks, two first round picks, and a clutch of prospects coming through, the Ducks are in a position which they can trade to bring in one, or multiple, players of this ilk. Given Verbeek’s comments about improving speed and talent, it seems inevitable that he will pull the trigger. What remains to be seen is what that looks like.

If I were a gambling man, and I am, I would put some money on Ehlers being a Duck before free agency opens, with his extension hitting before the market is open.