The next season of EA's NHL 26 Hockey Ultimate Team is set to release this upcoming Friday. For those die-hard fans of the Anaheim Ducks or HUT or both, now would be a good time to look back on the best Ducks cards from season one. Note, not every Ducks player was tested, as that would be almost impossible. This list is obviously subjective, as most cards are very similar stat wise, and should just provide a good baseline for fans of the Ducks trying to use some of their favorite players in the game. Also of note, some of these cards can be bought on the auction house but making them is far more advantageous and cheaper than just buying them outright. Ranking is not based upon boosts either, just each card's base form.
5. Jean-Sebastien Giguere (Hero version)
How to make: Heroes set
A Ducks legend and at 84 overall, Giguere was still the highest rated Ducks goalie in the game. With Elite Dialed In, 80 aggression, and 87 speed, Giguere mostly made the saves he was supposed to. Good competition could pick the corners of the net against him though, as he was only 6'1". Until a better version of Lukas Dostal is released, Giguere was the best Ducks option in goal.
4. Ryan Poehling (Marquee version)
How to make: can no longer make from a set, must buy from auction house
At 82 overall, Poehling possessed mediocre skating and shooting stats, all in the low 80s. Defensively Poehling was very bland too, with low 80s stick checking and defensive awareness. Specialist Wheels as his ability, was useless too, as Poehling was not a fast skater. However, Poehling did have 91 faceoffs, making him one of the better options at center. Frustratingly, neither Mason McTavish nor Leo Carlsson had cards with better faceoff ratings, so Poehling got the nod over them just to win draws against opponents.
3. Jacob Trouba (Chel Week version)
How to make: cannot currently make from a set, must buy from auction house
At 84 overall, Trouba had mid 80s skating stats and poor offensive awareness. However, with high 80s body checking and strength, plus All-Star Truculence, Trouba could out right demolish an opposing skater, providing you lined up the hit correctly. With mid 80s defensive awareness and stick checking, Trouba was best utilized as shut-down defenseman and paired with a faster skating offensive defenseman, like Quinn Hughes.
2. Troy Terry (Gamebreakers version)
How to make: Gamebreaker sets when in rotation
At 86 overall and one of the best Ducks forwards from season one, Terry was a very solid option as a winger. With high 80s skating and shooting stats, he could pick the short side corner on opposing goalies when flying down the wing or coming out of the corner. Terry also had All-Star Quick Release, making his shot even more devastating. Terry also had Specialist Ankle Breaker, but the ability was not a priority to activate. Being an American born player also helped with his lineup flexibility, as many popular lineup combination boosts utilized American players.
1. Teemu Selanne (Icons version)
How to make: Icons set
Not only is Selanne one of the greatest players from Anaheim Ducks history, but he was the Ducks G.O.A.T in Hockey Ultimate Team. At 86 overall, the right-handed winger had low 90s base speed. Coupled with low 90s shooting and hand stats, Selanne was all gas and no brakes. His combination of Elite Pressure and All-Star Quick Release, made every shot devastating against the opposing goalie, even if the shot didn't go in. Selanne should still be priority number one for every Ducks fan to make in Ultimate Team.
Honorable Mentions
Leo Carlsson (Captain version): deceivingly good shot, despite slower speed.
Mikael Granlund (Fresh Ice version): solid option for new players
Beckett Sennecke (Next Gen version): comparable with Troy Terry, just unavailable to make after this week.