With the preseason already underway, the start of the regular season approaching rapidly, and an expectation of pushing for a playoff spot from management, now would be a good time to forecast which of the Ducks regulars are facing the most pressure for the upcoming season.
These rankings are subjective and based around the skaters who will play most, if not all, of the regular season. So rookies like Beckett Sennecke or Stian Solberg, will not be represented. Note, all players in the NHL face pressure in some form or fashion, this list is just meant as an index as some face more from the weight of expectations.
23. Ross Johnston
2024-25 Season Stats: 43 GP, 1 G, 3 A. ATOI: 8:41.
Everyone's favorite pugilist. What else can be said about the perpetual fourth line skater? Of all the players on the list, Johnston probably faces the least amount of pressure. Johnston was mainly used as a deterrent the previous seasons, and the role suited him well.
22. Jansen Harkins
2024-25 Season Stats: 62 GP, 2 G, 4 A. ATOI: 10:56.
Another fourth line skater. With the arrival of Ryan Poehling via the Trevor Zegras trade, Harkins would probably be pushed to the wing. As with other fourth liners, consistency will help keep the rookies off his heels. Tough break with the recent injury during the preseason though.
21. Sam Colangelo
2024-25 Season Stats: 32 GP, 10 G, 2 A. ATOI: 12:29.
Not bad production for a fourth line winger bouncing between the NHL and the AHL. Colangelo will not wow on a every night basis, but depth scoring is always at a premium. Colangelo will face some pressure to keep up the production with some of the rookies battling for a forward spot.
20. Ryan Poehling
2024-25 Season Stats: 68 GP, 12 G, 19 A. ATOI: 13:53.
Fairly or not, Poehling will face some pressure as the main piece that came back from the Zegras trade. While Poehling's underlying metrics did not shine last season, 42.6 CF%, he had a faceoff win percentage of 52.6. The Ducks also needed a dependable fourth line center after failing to give Isac Lundestrom a qualifying offer during the offseason.
19. Drew Helleson
2024-25 Season Stats: 56 GP, 4 G, 9 A. ATOI: 16:21.
Helleson was brought in at the 16-game mark last season and stuck with team, for the most part, the rest of the way. The right shot defenseman does not possess glowing underlying metrics, 41.5 CF%, but he does bring a consistent presence to the blue line. Even though Helleson just signed a 2-year extension during the offseason, he will face pressure in holding down a roster spot from the youngster Tristan Luneau.
18. Alex Killorn
2024-25 Season Stats: 82 GP, 19 G, 18 A. ATOI: 17:17
Year two in Anaheim for Killorn, at least from a production standpoint, was about the same as year one (36 points). Killorn will probably never reach the level of production as he did in Tampa Bay but should just hold steady as a depth scorer now. 6.25 million for two more years of 30ish points seems ridiculous, but as long as Killorn stays healthy, he is a serviceable third line winger that can bump up to the second line or second powerplay unit when necessary.
17. Ryan Strome
2024-25 Season Stats: 82 GP, 10 G, 31 A. ATOI: 16:41.
The first of the former New York Rangers on the list, Strome will be entering year four of a five-year deal. Strome had relatively good possession numbers, 53.9 CF%, and is a serviceable third line center. The pressure will mount though, if either Leo Carlsson or Mason McTavish go out with an injury and Strome is bumped up into the top six out of necessity.
16. Frank Vatrano
2024-25 Season Stats: 81 GP, 21 G, 24 A. ATOI: 17:33.
The second former Ranger on the list, Vatrano's season paled in comparison to 2023-24 (37 G, 23 A). The pressure will be on Vatrano to elevate his production. Is he a 20-goal scorer or a 30+ goal scorer? Vatrano has already been passed on the depth chart by Cutter Gauthier and new arrival Kris Kreider should see more ice time as well. Vatrano should be on the second power play unit, but playing in the top six will be unlikely, unless he can increase his goal scoring ability again.