When you think of a rival for the Anaheim Ducks, the most likely suspects would probably be Pacific Division foes, like the Los Angeles Kings or the San Jose Sharks. Very rarely have the Anaheim Ducks had a rivalry with an Eastern Conference opponent, outside of a one-off that stemmed from a certain captain ending the season for an opposing captain on a very popular team. With the recent events of the past couple seasons though, a new challenger has emerged as the most unlikely team to become a bitter rival; the Philadelphia Flyers.
Players turned GMs
Pat Verbeek and Daniele Briere crossed paths during their respective playing careers, with Verbeek having the slight edge in team success and a 4-3-2 record. However, Briere had the better counting stats with 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) as a member of the Phoenix Coyotes versus Verbeek's 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) with the Dallas Stars.
Flash forward two decades, both Verbeek and Briere are now calling the shots for NHL clubs. Verbeek took over as Ducks GM in May of 2022, as the previous regime under Bob Murray was unable to steer the franchise into a rebuild that was desperately long overdue. Briere took over as Flyers GM in May of 2023, also for a team that was in desperate need for a new vision.
The spark
After a brutal contract negotiation (which would later become an area of expertise for Verbeek), and a slow start to the 2023-24 season, Jamie Drysdale was traded from the Ducks to Flyers in January of 2024, in exchange for Cutter Gauthier and a second-round pick. Gauthier felt miffed by Flyers management and wanted to play higher in the lineup and in Anaheim, Gauthier would get that opportunity. While the trade initially seemed like a win-win for both clubs back then, this trade has been one of the true home runs for Verbeek, as Gauthier scored 41 goals for the Ducks last season.
The fuse continued to burn...
Trevor Zegras was also run through the ringer in his contract negotiations with Verbeek and after a couple seasons of subpar play and injuries, he too was sent packing to the Flyers in June of 2025. Anaheim was able to procure Ryan Poehling, a second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick, in the trade. While Poehling has been serviceable as a bottom six center, Zegras has rebounded into his old form, notching 67 points last season in an elevated role and might be a trade that Anaheim now regrets.
...and burn.
In game 43 of the 2025-256 season, the Ducks got thumped by the Flyers in Philadelphia 5-2, but not without Anaheim extracting their pound of flesh either. In the four games between the franchises, since their respective GMs took over the reins, Philadelphia has the edge over Anaheim, winning all four games. Anaheim has only scored 5 goals, while allowing 17 against.
Ignition
Flyers GM Briere blew up the hockey world this summer, by getting Anaheim center Leo Carlsson to sign a five year, 18 million AAV offer sheet. While Verbeek takes a large share of the blame for the Carlsson sage ever reaching that boiling point, Briere also further exasperated the hate towards the Flyers with the offer sheet tactic. While Verbeek and Anaheim eventually came to the right conclusion and matched, the Ducks are now in bind to Gauthier signed to an extension, with just a shade over 9 million in cap space to work with.
Just getting started
October 24th and January 3rd. Two dates for the upcoming season that Anaheim fans should be circling on their calendars in permanent marker. Last season's matchups were just a teaser, as both clubs have had a taste of postseason success, since they last squared off. Given everything that has transpired over the summer and with all the core trade pieces locked up long term, minus Gauthier, expect a twice a year firework show for the foreseeable future. And if the hockey gods ever had a flair for the dramatic, Anaheim and Philadelphia should face off, at least once, for the Stanley Cup.
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