The Anaheim Ducks endured another rebuilding season in 2024-25, which went spectacularly. They have a good chance of landing a top-three, if not the No. 1 selection, in this upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Their young core is starting to show their true potential, and the vibe in sunny California is shining brightly on the future.
Here is how this recent playoff miss might be a promising sign.
Young core is showing out
The Ducks have the sixth-youngest roster in the NHL, with an average age of 27.1. These younger players are starting to show their true potential, and even after this season’s lackluster results, their ceiling is now much higher.
Their young stars, Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gautier, and Jackson LaCombe, made big steps this season. Each player made some strides, especially Carlsson and MacTavish, two of the team's top-three scorers with 52 and 45 points, respectively. Those point totals were both career-highs for them.
Of course, Trevor Zegras, the human highlight reel, took a step backward in 2024-25. Do not expect that to stay true in the coming seasons.
Dynasty looming?
This team has all the makings of a potential dynasty. It has the youth, some gritty and experienced veterans, and some respectable goaltending. The sky is the limit for this organization.
But it also pays to address the elephant in the room. These kids have a ton of pressure on them, and could easily crack. They are the present and future of this organization, and everything relies on their development to become what many expect them to be: great.
Only time will tell if that can happen, but it is heading in that direction now. A few more tweaks, a brand-new weapon in this upcoming draft, and the right management could turn this franchise around in record-breaking time.