Pat Verbeek targeted another step toward playoff contention and used the Ducks' massive cap space to make key additions. Anaheim jumped 21 points from 2023-24 to 2024-25, improving from a franchise-record 50 losses to a 35-37-10 record. The team traded Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers for Ryan Poehling and two draft picks and sent John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings for Petr Mrazek. Offense remained the primary weakness, with 2.65 goals per game and an 11.8% power play. The acquisition of Chris Kreider adds scoring and power-play expertise; Kreider has 149 goals over four seasons and sustained 20-goal seasons.
During this offseason, Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek had one goal in mind: take another step forward towards playoff contention. From 2023-24 to 2024-25, the Ducks jumped 21 points in the standings, improving from a franchise-record 50 losses in 2023-24 and following that up with a 35-37-10 record this past season. The club could see another leap in the standings, based on the offseason moves that will serve to bolster the lineup.
There were a handful of notable subtractions from the lineup, namely the trade that sent Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Ryan Poehling and two draft picks. Zegras had been regressing offensively over the past few seasons, as is the case with the team in general, but he still offered a crafty mindset that helped create goals when he was healthy.
The Ducks' biggest problem over the past few seasons has undoubtedly been offense. Anaheim finished 30th in the league with 2.65 goals per game this past season, including a dismal league-worst power play that operated at just 11.8%. The acquisition Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers will help ignite more offense, particularly on the man advantage. Kreider is something of a power play specialist --
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