Quarter season check-in: The Ducks have finally taken that next step

Despite losing their last game on a late goal from the Ottawa Senators, the Anaheim Ducks should still be proud of how their 2025-26 season has transpired so far. Entering the weekend, the Ducks sit atop of the Pacific Division, which is more than the most optimistic of Ducks fans would have anticipated. Powered by a young core that seems to have finally taken that next step, some veterans insulating that same young core, stellar goaltending, and a coaching staff that lets the team play to their strengths; the Ducks have arrived and are putting the NHL on notice.

Beyond the best-case scenario

Prior to puck drop on opening night, the best-case scenario prediction had the Ducks pushing for a wild card spot in the playoffs. The Ducks, however, have moved well past that prediction, as they have spent time at the top or near the top of the Pacific Division. The Ducks currently sit with a 79.7% chance to make the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.

The Ducks have exceeded expectations on the offensive side of the ice too. The team currently has a 53.4 goals percentage, a 50.2 Corsi percentage, and a +6-goal differential. Contrast those numbers with last season's stats of 48.9, 45.9, and -7, and the difference becomes even more apparent; the Ducks are a far more productive team.

Unsung Hero

Alex Killorn

While the point total won't blow anyone away (1 G, 6A), the veteran forward provides a steady presence while on the ice. Mainly playing wing on the third line, Killorn averages 16:39 of ice time. While he does not possess blazing skating speed, Killorn always seems to make the right play at the right time; you rarely see him make a mistake. Killorn also plays on the penalty kill, the second power play unit, and when one of the younger forwards is struggling to generate offense, Killorn is someone the Ducks coaching staff will lean on to step up in their place and help provide a spark.

Scapegoat

Frank Vatrano

The recent return of Ryan Strome as his center should have provided Vatrano a boost in production, due to their familiarity and affinity for playing with each other. The early returns have been rather meager though, as Vatrano only has 2 goals and 1 assist for the season. The concerns about Vatrano's production from a few weeks ago still remain; the veteran forward has lost his scoring touch. While the rest of the team can cover up for his decreased offensive production, Vatrano's contract is looking more and more like a burden with every passing game he does not contribute on the scoreboard.

Biggest Surprises

Positive: Beckett Sennecke

A quarter season full of positive surprises have included many highlights such as: Leo Carlsson becoming the number one center the team envisioned with his 25 points, Cutter Gauthier racking up the goals with 12, Chris Kreider providing that veteran scoring touch with 15 points, Olen Zellweger evolving into a top four defenseman with 19:11 of ice time and 6 points, and Ian Moore impressing the Ducks coaching staff enough to secure a role as a third pairing defenseman. The challenge of just singling out one individual player, as the biggest positive surprise can be quite daunting. However, Beckett Sennecke fits the bill.

Sennecke has 15 points (7 G, 8 A) and averages 16:38 in ice time. Playing on the second line with Mason McTavish and Gauthier, Sennecke has flourished in the top six and has shown why the Ducks selected him so high in the 2024 draft. Though Sennecke is still prone to defensive miscues and can probably use his bigger frame to battle for pucks more, his position within the Ducks lineup is definitely solidified now. Sennecke also has the third best odds at winning the Calder Trophy, as the best rookie for the NHL.

Negative: Pavel Mintyukov

After Radko Gudas recently returned to the Ducks lineup, a defenseman had to moved out of the rotation. Unfortunately for Mintyukov, that meant he has been the healthy scratch for the past couple games. In 18 games played this season, Mintyukov has 3 points and has been surpassed on the Ducks depth chart by the younger Ian Moore. According to Elliotte Friedman in his 32 thoughts blog, Mintyukov has asked for a trade.

For the former 10th overall pick, this has been quite a fall from grace for Mintyukov. Once looked at as a future part of the young core, Mintyukov has yet to have found his footing. The offensive tools are still there, as Mintyukov had 19 points (5 G, 14 A) last season and can make a great first pass out of the defensive zone. With so many young defensemen either playing with the Ducks or in their farm system, Mintyukov's time with the team seems to have run its course.

Management and coaching

After facing some staunch criticism for acquiring Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider, essentially making a west-coast version of the New York Rangers, GM Pat Verbeek should feel somewhat vindicated. Trouba has been a solid contributor from the blue line, with 12 points (4 G, 8 A) and 22:35 of average ice time. Kreider has had a return to form with 10 goals, while skating on the Ducks top line and playing net front on the power play. The Gauthier for Drysdale swap with the Philadelphia Flyers, has worked out admirably as well. If there is one blemish though, seeing Trevor Zegras thrive again with the aforementioned Flyers, stings a bit. Having Zegras operate under a competent coaching staff would have been worthwhile before making a trade.

And speaking of the Ducks coaching staff, head coach Joel Quenneville deserves credit as well. Setting aside the controversy surrounding Quenneville, from simply an on-ice perspective, the Ducks are in a much better system than the dump and chase days of Greg Cronin. Quenneville and his staff have allowed the young core of the Ducks to play to their strengths and have not made a habit of stapling a player to the bench for making a mistake. The coaching staff has simply let the young skaters play through those mistakes. The penalty kill still leaves a lot to be desired, as the forwards seem to push for creating offense while on the kill, instead of playing defense. However, the systems that the Ducks skaters operate in are far more fluid and exciting on a game-to-game basis, than in seasons past.

Keep the good vibes going

If the Ducks can keep up with their current point pace, the playoffs are all but guaranteed. With such a cushion in the standings, not making the playoffs at this point would be catastrophic. Once the trade deadline gets closer though, it will be interesting to see what GM Verbeek does. Will he bring in more reinforcements to help push the Ducks deeper into the playoffs? Or will Verbeek sit back, continue to let the young core develop, and see what happens come playoff time? No matter what Verbeek decides to do though, the Ducks are in a far better position than most fans could have reasonably anticipated.