The Anaheim Ducks have missed the playoffs for longer than anyone in the organization could care to admit. But the team is hopeful that the best is yet to come for the young squad after hiring veteran Joel Quenneville to take over as the head coach.
Quenneville gives the Ducks an experienced leader behind the bench, and he understands what it takes to win a Stanley Cup. But for Anaheim to become competitive again, the roster will need to be greatly improved.
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As the offseason approaches for the Ducks, they could be major players on the trade market. Anaheim needs a “go-to” type of star to lead the team, and Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers could make sense.
NHL writer Joe Yerdon of Bleacher Report linked the Ducks with Panarin amid trade rumors, and the pairing does make a lot of sense.
“If the Ducks are going to take a step next season and return to the playoffs, they absolutely need more goals and Panarin would provide an instant upgrade there, particularly in a contract year. There’s also the part where the Ducks hired Panarin’s first NHL head coach, Joel Quenneville, to take over behind the bench and that kind of connection is really hard to ignore. Anaheim has plenty of young players or less-expensive productive veterans to make a deal happen so… why not, right?”
New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) checks Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the third period at Madison Square Garden.Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
Panarin playing for Quenneville could make a big difference here, and could see the Ducks become a prime landing spot if he is made available. The Rangers star scored 37 goals and 52 assists this season, and that type of production could drastically change everything for Anahrim.
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It remains to be seen if the Rangers were willing to part with Panarin, but the Ducks have the tools to pull a deal off. Anaheim needs to make a splash, and there wouldn’t be many bigger names than Panarin to make it happen.
Related: Avalanche Predicted to Trade For Mikko Rantanen Replacement
Ducks Predicted to Trade for $81M Star to Fuel Joel Quenneville Era first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 22, 2025