Anaheim Ducks
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the Anaheim Ducks, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: AJ Greer, Nick Jensen, Laurent Brossoit, Jeff Malott
Key Departures: Chris Kreider, Mason McTavish, Jacob Trouba, Olen Zellweger, Radko Gudas, John Carlson, Jeffrey Viel, Ross Johnston
Overview
The Anaheim Ducks returned to the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons, then took out the Edmonton Oilers in round one before bowing out in six games to the Vegas Golden Knights in round two. But the Ducks have had a difficult offseason, and not all of it is their own doing. GM Pat Verbeek has taken a lot of bullets for not getting Leo Carlsson’s name on a contract last summer and not wanting to lose their number one center, matched the five-year $90 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers. If you take Carlsson’s agents, Matt and Ryan Keator, at their word, they had their client turn down repeated offers from the Ducks all the way back to October of 2025. Just before training camp, the Ducks locked up Cutter Gauthier on a six-year deal ($13.5 million AAV). The two mega deals ultimately forced the Ducks to terminate Chris Kreider’s contract. Anaheim’s 43 wins last season were the most in the Pacific Division, and they were a perfect 8-0 in the shootout.
Offense
The Ducks jumped from 30th in scoring (2.65) in 2024-25 to 13th in goals per game (3.23) last season, led by 22-year-old Cutter Gauthier, 21-year-old Leo Carlsson and 20-year-old Beckett Sennecke. Gauthier led Anaheim in goals (41), points (69), power-play points (19), and shots on goal (285) last season. Carlsson’s 29 goals and 67 points and Sennecke’s 23 goals and 60 points rounded out the Ducks’ top three point producers last season. But Anaheim will need to find a way to replace the offense lost with the Kreider (22 goals) contract termination and the trade of Mason McTavish (17 goals) to St. Louis. Troy Terry (19 goals) will miss the lineup until November after off-season hip surgery.
Defense
Only three teams gave up more goals than the 288 surrendered by Anaheim. So maybe losing John Carlson and Jacob Trouba to free agency and trading Radko Gudas and Olen Zellweger will not be as costly as it looks. Jackson LaCombe (25 years old) is coming off career highs in assists (48), points (58), power play points (17) and an outstanding postseason with 10 points in 12 games. He is clearly the Ducks’ number one defenseman. The emergence of Drew Helleson (22 years old) made Zellweger expendable and Pavel Mintyukov (22 years old) was locked up on a five-year, $36 million deal in the summer. With spots available, it opens the door for Tristan Luneau (2nd round, 2022), who had 10 goals and 41 points last season with the Ducks’ top minor league team, the San Diego Gulls. Nick Jensen comes over from Ottawa and adds veteran experience.
Goaltending
Maybe the weight of a new five-year, $32.5 million deal took its toll on goalie Lukas Dostal. The Czech native made a career-high 55 starts (six more than the previous season) last season, and he faced the 10th-most shots in the NHL (1,513). His .888 save percentage was his first season with a sub .900 save percentage. Dostal struggled down the stretch, losing six of his last seven starts, giving up four or more goals in four of the six losses and three or more goals in all six defeats. On the positive side, his 30 wins were a career high. Ville Husso was the primary backup, and while he did earn the Ducks points in 12 of his 20 games (10-8-2) he appeared in, his overall play was average at best. Anaheim signed free agent goalie Laurent Brossoit, who was a member of the Golden Knights team that won the Stanley Cup in 2023.
Player to Watch
All eyes will be on Anaheim’s $18 million man, Leo Carlsson. Carlsson will be under pressure to be a point-per-game player, but as long as he helps lead this team to a second consecutive trip to the postseason, it won’t matter if he averages less than a point a game.
Outlook
The Ducks’ youth movement has seen them go from 59 points in 2023-24 to 80 points in 2024-25 and then 92 points last season, earning them one of the top three spots in the Pacific Division and a spot in the Western Conference playoffs. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Anaheim take a step back this season with the off-season losses both up front and on the blueline. In June, I grabbed the Ducks at (+180) to miss the playoffs, and I would still play them to miss at (+120). I am also on Cutter Gauthier (+230) to score 40+ goals.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 95.5 (Over -105, Under -125)
To Make the Playoffs: (-150)
Miss the Playoffs: (+120)
To Win the Division: (+650)
To Win the Western Conference: (+1400)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+2800)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 43-33-6 (3RD Pacific Division)
Over/Under: 49-32-1
Home Favorite: 11-11 // Home Dog: 13-6
Road Favorite: 6-4 // Road Dog: 13-17
Win Score 4 or more: 36 of 43 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 30 of 39
Puck Line Wins: 20 of 43 // Puck Line Losses: 27 of 39
Front End Back-to-Back: 5-6 // Back End Back-to-Back: 6-5
Points Leader: Cutter Gauthier – 69
Goal Leader: Cutter Gauthier – 41
Teams First Goal Leader: Cutter Gauthier – 16
Assist Leader: Jackson LaCombe – 48
Shots on Goal Leader: Cutter Gauthier – 285
Blocked Shots: Jacob Trouba – 149
Depth Chart
Forwards
Frank Vatrano / Leo Carlsson/ Beckett Sennecke
Alex Killorn / Mikael Granlund / Cutter Gauthier
AJ Greer / Ryan Poehling / Nikita Klepov
Jeff Mallott / Tim Washe / Sam Colangelo
Defense
Jackson LaCombe / Drew Helleson
Pavel Mintyukov / Ian Moore
Nick Jensen / Tristan Luneau
Goalies
Lukas Dostal / Ville Husso / Laurent Brossoit
