Aside from flashes shown by multiple prospects, the Anaheim Ducks didn’t have much to boast about last season.
Although the team was third-to-last in both scoring and goals allowed, the abundance of young talent signaled hope for a bright future. This season — with multiple youngsters earning full-time NHL status — represents a bridge toward the new era.
Goaltender John Gibson has anchored the crease for over a decade, but after undergoing appendectomy surgery in September, the Ducks have been forced to use other options.
Gibson’s injury revealed a silver lining in the roster in the form of 24-year-old Lukáš Dostál, who nearly halved net time with his older counterpart last year. Dostál has taken the lead role thus far, shining through four starts with a .931 save percentage.
With a promising netminder and a handful of solid up-and-comers, Anaheim isn’t in a bad position. But just like any other team coming off six consecutive non-playoff seasons, the Ducks know that patience is a virtue.
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, October 18, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski/AP)
At 2-2-1 through the first stretch, Anaheim still needs an offensive rhythm. Right winger Troy Terry has been consistent with four points to lead the team, but as a third-liner, the Ducks won’t always be able to rely on him.
Anaheim is tied with three other teams for the second-lowest goals scored this season with a measly 12, and hasn’t been able to provide Dostál with much offensive support. To add insult to injury, the Ducks are one of two teams yet to score on the power play, despite having 17 opportunities.
General manager Pat Verbeek didn’t make any drastic changes to the offensive front in the offseason, other than bringing in first-line forward Robby Fabbri, who has one goal. While the lack of needle-moving acquisitions may have kept the team on the noncompetitive side, younger players have been given more opportunities to show their skills.
Second-year star Leo Carlsson scored the overtime winner against the Utah Hockey Club on October 16 and has been an early bright spot in an otherwise bumpy start. Centering Fabbri and rookie Cutter Gauthier on the first line, Carlsson has tallied three points, but the Ducks haven’t been able to capture consistent goal-scoring in the top six.
The Ducks appeared mentally and physically behind their opponents in many of their first matchups. With a cast of young players who aren’t quite NHL veterans yet, the team has seemed to have had trouble adjusting to the league’s intense pace and is struggling to win the puck.
Anaheim has single-handedly relied on Dostál to win games, which isn’t sustainable. Dostál will inevitably carry the load as the starting netminder, but with 36-year-old James Reimer as the backup, Dostál will likely have to produce more than expected to win games. On the bright side, Gibson should return to the ice soon, so aid is on the way.
In addition to Gauthier, the Ducks will be itching for other highly touted prospects to start finding a rhythm. On the defensive side, Tristan Luneau has scuffled while Olen Zellweger has shown flashes and Pavel Mintyukov has prospered with two goals.
When fielding an abundance of inexperienced prospects, teams often take one step forward while simultaneously taking two steps back. For the Ducks, incrementally increasing speed, physicality and puck control ability will be vital in developing their young players and winning more games.
Anaheim was notably outshot 49-19 against the Colorado Avalanche on October 18 and lost in overtime, showing the team’s true potential in tightly contested games. If the Ducks can control possession at a higher clip to prevent opposing shots, they’ll be in a better position to win more often.
The season is young, but in an uber-competitive Pacific Division, Anaheim will surely desire to surprise doubters while simultaneously developing its talent. A postseason run doesn’t seem likely, but anything can happen in a full season of top prospects playing together.
Orange County would love to celebrate winning, but witnessing a fun, young Ducks team successfully adapting to the top level wouldn’t be too shabby either.