2024 NHL Offseason Preview Episode Three: Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are up next for the 2024 NHL Offseason Preview. They had another brutal season at the bottom of the Pacific Division, culminating in the third overall pick in this year’s draft. They have a host of talented young players and prospects. Furthermore, they have a boatload of cap space to spend and have only bridge deals to really worry about in the medium term. In previous offseasons they added veterans like Alex Killorn and Radko Gudas to compliment their young core. Could more moves like that be on the horizon? That also came with selling on expiring free agent pieces like Adam Henrique. Pat Verbeek has done well in his first steps in charge. However, the heavy lifting is going to begin sooner rather than later.
Rumors are starting to circle around certain players after some losing seasons. The main name in trade talks is Trevor Zegras. He’s shown flashes of the elite talent that got the hockey world talking when he broke onto the scene earlier in the 2020’s. However, he is currently not signed to a long-term extension and seen as expendable to the young core by some. There is no doubt teams will be interested but the Ducks must tread carefully. Z was injured and only played in 31 games last season, so letting the band get back together and play out the start of the season honestly makes the most sense.
The Anaheim Ducks will have to make tangible progress in their rebuild at some point. Teams like the Avalanche and Canucks suffered at the bottom of the league for a while and eventually took steps forward.
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