Here’s a detailed season-outlook for the Anaheim Ducks heading into 2025 brought to you by the hockey viking, including a review of last season, what to expect this year, key roster moves, projected lines and pairings, and a reasoned prediction.
Recap: 2024-25 Season
The Ducks took a modest but noticeable step forward in 2024-25. They finished with a record of 35-37-10 (80 points), landing 6th in the Pacific Division.
They were officially eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Calgary Flames on April 3, continuing a playoff drought that has lasted since 2018.
Two of the more glaring stats: their “goals for” was 217 (30th of 32) and “goals against” was 261 (22nd of 32) per Hockey-Reference.
From a narrative standpoint:
- The rebuild is still in progress. The club has assembled a young core, but consistency and depth remain major issues.
- Offensively the Ducks continue to struggle to score at an elite clip; defensively they still give up too many.
- There were positive signs — improvement in the overall record, younger players beginning to get meaningful minutes, and the foundations of a future-contending core.
- But they are not yet at the point where they can reliably compete in playoff contention.
So, the 2024-25 season can be seen as a modest “step” year — not a leap, as they still ended up towards the bottom of the West, but progress nonetheless.
Outlook & Summary for 2025 Season
Going into 2025, the Ducks are still in the transition/rebuild phase — but they are trying to shift toward being more competitive. The key themes for this season:
- Young core maturing: Players like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and other rising young forwards are moving into roles of greater responsibility.
- Goaltending & stability: The crease is being set up for a more stable future (see roster moves below)
- Adding veteran presence and trade assets: The club appears willing to add veteran pieces to guide the young roster and also to leverage its assets for future growth.
- Cap flexibility and options: According to cap-space breakdowns, the Ducks have some room and options to manoeuvre.
- Competitive objective: While a playoff berth may still be a stretch, the ambition will be to close the gap to the wildcard and make meaningful gains. They will likely aim for being a “sleeper” wildcard team rather than an outright contender this season.
In short: This season is about bridging from promising youth to genuine competitiveness. If things go right — health, development, some breakout years — they could surprise. If things go wrong — stagnation, defensive lapses, injuries — they could slip back to also-ran status.
Player Additions & Subtractions
Notable Subtractions
- The trading of Trevor Zegras stands out. He was dealt away in June 2025 in a surprising move, which signals a shift in how the Ducks view their timeline and roster composition.
- Also, the long-time netminder John Gibson was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for goaltender Petr Mrázek and draft picks, marking the formal end of the Gibson era in Anaheim.
Notable Additions
- The arrival of Petr Mrázek as the veteran in net (or backup/competing netminder) gives Anaheim some depth and flexibility.
- The club locked up young goaltender Lukas Dostal to a long-term deal, showing their faith in him as the future starter.
- The drafting of young forward prospects like Beckett Sennecke and Roger McQueen adds to their pipeline.
- The signing or extension of defenseman Drew Helleson adds to the young D-core for the future.
Overall Assessment
The moves suggest the Ducks are keeping their young core intact, but also are willing to make firm decisions (e.g., trading Zegras) to reshape the identity. They are placing bets on their goaltending future with Dostal, while adding depth and flexibility via Mrázek and draft picks. On the flip side, they are still lacking truly elite veteran difference-makers (top-six forwards or top-pair defensemen) to push from “almost” to “in”. That will likely be a focus later in the season/trade-deadline.
Projected Roster Chart
Here’s a simplified version of the Ducks’ projected roster heading into the season. Note that actual roster will differ with injuries, call‐ups, etc.
Forwards (Select)
Leo Carlsson C/F Young centre, top potential.
Cutter Gauthier LW/F Power forward, expected to step up.
Mason McTavish C/RW Young but already has experience.
Troy Terry RW Veteran scoring option.
Alex Killorn LW/C Established forward, adds leadership.
Mikael Granlund C Veteran secondary centre depth.
Frank Vatrano RW Goal-scoring winger.
Ryan Poehling C New addition via trade for Zegras.
Ross Johnston LW Physical presence, bottom six.
Defensemen (Select)
Jacob Trouba D Veteran top-pairing type
Pavel Mintyukov D Young, mobile defenseman.
Jackson LaCombe D Emerging young defenseman.
Radko Gudas D Veteran physical presence.
Olen Zellweger D Young, developing.
Drew Helleson D Young, depth defenseman.
Goaltenders
Lukas Dostal Expected starter, long-term.
Petr Mrázek Veteran backup / tandem option.
This chart reflects a blend of youth + veteran presence, with the age of the core skewing younger. The emphasis appears on developing the young forwards & defensemen while stabilizing the crease via Dostal/Mrázek.
Offensive & Defensive Line-Charts (Projected)
Here’s a look at how the Ducks might deploy their forward lines and defensive pairings this season — based on projected usage and current line combo info (from sources such as Daily Faceoff)
Forwards
Line 1: Cutter Gauthier – Leo Carlsson – Alex Killorn
Expect this to be the top line: Gauthier brings size and shot, Carlsson the skill, Killorn the veteran presence.
Line 2: Frank Vatrano – Mason McTavish – Troy Terry
Goal-scoring driver Vatrano, young McTavish centre, veteran Terry on the wing.
Line 3: Mikael Granlund – Ryan Poehling – Ross Johnston
Workhorse/secondary centre role with veterans + Johnston providing bottom‐six grit.
Line 4: Jansen Harkins – Isac Lundestrom – Brett Leason (or other prospect call-ups)
A physical checking line, plus give-the-youth some minutes.
Defense Pairings
Pair 1: Jacob Trouba – Pavel Mintyukov
Veteran Trouba paired with young rising Mintyukov gives balance.
Pair 2: Jackson LaCombe – Drew Helleson
Young and mobile, this pairing will get lots of minutes as part of the future core.
Pair 3: Olen Zellweger – Radko Gudas
Zellweger developing, Gudas bringing physicality and experience — ideal for bottom pairing and penalty kill.
Special Teams (brief)
- Power Play 1: Vatrano, Carlsson, Terry, Killorn, LaCombe (as mobile D)
- Penalty Kill 1: Granlund, Terry, Helleson, Trouba
These charts illustrate that the Ducks are poised to lean on their young forwards for scoring, while the defense and goaltending will be anchored by a mix of youth and veteran stability.
Season Prediction
Putting all of this together, here’s my reasoned prediction for how the 2025-26 season (effectively the 2025 “season” outlook) will play out for Anaheim:
What to expect:
- Record: I’d project somewhere in the range of 38-42 wins, give or take. Their point total might land in the 88-95 range, perhaps enough to make some kind of wildcard push if the Western Conference is volatile.
- Playoffs: I believe the Ducks are on the cusp — but I lean toward them just missing the playoffs this season. So: no playoffs in 2025-26, but a marked improvement and potentially pushing into contention for a wildcard late in the season.
- Breakout players: I expect Leo Carlsson to take a real step forward as a top-6 centre, Cutter Gauthier to hit double-digit goals (if he stays healthy), and Mason McTavish to solidify his role. On defense, Pavel Mintyukov and Jackson LaCombe will both make meaningful strides.
- Wildcards / Risks:
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- Health: as with any young team, injuries to key young forwards or defensemen could derail the upside.
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- Scoring depth: they still lack a true elite 1C or 1RW established in the league who is proven across seasons.
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- Defense/goaltending: Even with Dostal locked up, the goals against number needs to improve significantly for a full-blown playoff push.
- Milestones to watch:
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- Does Dostal validate being franchise netminder?
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- Do the young forwards hit the “consistent 50-point” threshold?
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- Is there a trade/deadline move to add that veteran scoring piece or top-pair d-man?
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- Does Anaheim compete late in the year vs. Pacific Division rivals (e.g., the Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers) to keep pressure up?
Final Prediction:
The Anaheim Ducks will improve in 2025-26, posting roughly an 88-95 point season, but will just fall short of a playoff berth. They will showcase their young core’s promise, make themselves relevant in conversation late in the season, and set the stage for a potential breakthrough the following year. I’d peg them at middle of the pack in the West, perhaps finishing 4th or 5th in the Pacific but missing the wildcard by a few points. If they do snag the wildcard, it will be a bonus rather than the expected outcome.
Key Takeaways & What to Monitor
- This is a “tweener” year: too far along to simply be rebuilding, but not yet fully built for contention.
- Young players’ development (Carlsson, Gauthier, Mintyukov, LaCombe) will determine how far the team progresses.
- The goaltending decision (Dostal era) is important — solid goaltending can elevate the club; mediocre again and they’ll continue to struggle.
- The front office’s trade/FA decisions mid-season will matter: do they add a dynamic top-six winger or a top-pair defenseman?
- Improvement in special teams (power play %, penalty kill %) and puck-possession metrics will be early indicators of whether this team is trending right.
The Anaheim Ducks are shaking things up for the 2025 season with a fresh combo of new leadership and bold strategies. The arrival of a new general manager and head coach sets the stage for a brand new chapter. Their vision? Revamping the playbook and reimagining what Ducks hockey is all about.
Playing style’s getting an overhaul. Expect a mix of improved defense tactics and sharper offensive plays, aiming for a balance that keeps fans on the edge of their seats. It’s a strategic move to make the most of the talent they have while also challenging the adversaries in thrilling showdowns.
There’s an interesting blend of experienced players and new recruits. This mix isn’t just about filling the roster but rather about leveraging veteran wisdom with youthful energy and innovation. They’re looking to build a cohesive unit that’s both resilient and adaptable, giving them an edge on the ice.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Upcoming Season
Looking ahead to 2025, the Ducks’ roster is lined with players who promise a thrilling season. On top of that list are budding stars ready to step into the spotlight. These young athletes are set to take the league by storm, blending raw talent and dynamic play to take on any opposition.
Returning to the lineup are key veterans who are essentials to the Ducks’ strategy. Their leadership on and off the ice offers stability, especially around crucial matches where experience often decides the victors. They’ll be expected to bring the heat and guide younger players through the ups and downs of a rigorous season.
The young bucks are going to be the wildcards this season. It’s like an open audition where each game they play could shift the Ducks’ fortunes. These players have trained hard to make the squad, and their success will depend on how quickly they can adapt to the fast-paced demands of the top tier.
The 2025 season brings its own set of hurdles, starting with the fierce competition from conference rivals. Every team is upping their game, and the Ducks need to be on their toes to stay in the race. This year there won’t be much room for error, so if the Ducks hope to even sniff the playoffs they need to win some games, preferably against teams like Calgary that they may be competing against for the last spot.
Despite the challenges, there are plenty of opportunities for growth. Focusing on honing skills, fostering teamwork, and leveraging every player’s unique capabilities can lead to significant improvements. By seizing these opportunities, the Ducks have a shot at not just surviving the season, but also redefining what their version of success looks like.
Be sure to check out the hockey viking’s season outlook for all of the other NHL teams.