Chris Kreider, reflecting on his early years playing against the Anaheim Ducks in Irvine, California, described the experience as a “nightmare” and the entire “Cali trip” as “awful.” This sentiment highlights a dramatic shift, as the Ducks are now seen as a desirable destination for players.
Kreider humorously recalled a challenging four-day California road trip, facing the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and the Ducks. He described the Kings as “monsters” due to their large physical presence, and the Sharks as a formidable opponent with stars like Brent Burns, Patrick Marleau, and Joe Thornton.
Kreider vividly recounted an incident where Brent Burns, despite Kreider`s own imposing 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame, effortlessly lifted him off the ice, illustrating the physical dominance of his past opponents. His struggles continued in Anaheim, where he famously stated, “I don`t think I ever touched the puck when I was in this building,” recalling the dominance of Ducks legends like Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Kreider even faced criticism from his coaches after these matchups, being told his performance “wasn`t where it needed to be.”
These challenging memories lead Kreider to look at current teammates such as Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Jackson LaCombe. He believes that soon, opponents will speak of these young Ducks players with similar awe and trepidation. For Kreider, this burgeoning talent is why Anaheim has become a sought-after destination, prompting the question: are they a playoff team? Ducks GM Pat Verbeek confidently affirmed, stating, “From my perspective, the expectation is to make the playoffs.”
A New Trajectory for the Franchise
After seven consecutive seasons missing the playoffs, questions surrounded the Ducks` future. However, robust drafting has cultivated one of the NHL`s top farm systems, providing answers. While they missed the playoffs again last season, their 80 points marked their highest total in six years.
The recent offseason was pivotal. GM Verbeek and his team made significant changes, trading former franchise cornerstones John Gibson and Trevor Zegras. They brought in experienced veterans such as Mikael Granlund and Chris Kreider, while simultaneously securing their promising young core with long-term contracts.
Verbeek also dismissed coach Greg Cronin after two seasons, replacing him with Joel Quenneville, a three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks. Quenneville`s hiring came after a nearly four-year absence from coaching, stemming from his resignation from the Florida Panthers in October 2021 and subsequent ban by the NHL. This was due to an investigation concluding the Blackhawks mishandled sexual assault allegations made by former player Kyle Beach against video coach Brad Aldrich during the team`s 2010 Stanley Cup run. The NHL lifted Quenneville`s ban in 2024.
The bold moves – trading key players, acquiring veterans, and placing faith in their developing core – combined with the controversial decision to hire Quenneville, all signal a critical turning point for the franchise. Many within the organization, not just Verbeek, view this as a pivotal moment in their pursuit of contention.
Ducks winger Troy Terry noted a shift in team mentality: “The last couple years, we`ve gone into it like, `We might have a good team. It`s going to be this young guy`s first year or that young guy`s first year.` It was almost a question of, `If this guy steps up, we could have a good team.`” He added, “I think this year we still have some young players but they`re experienced now and we`ve seen what they can do now. There are less questions of `If this and this happens, we should be a good team` and know we should be a good team.”
Building Through Scouting and Mentorship
Martin Madden, the Ducks` assistant GM and director of amateur scouting since 2008, has been instrumental in the team`s player development, having drafted 56 NHL players. Notable alumni from his scouting efforts include the entire 2011 seven-player draft class, featuring Josh Manson, William Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and John Gibson.
Madden`s vision shaped much of the Ducks` current young core, including Lukas Dostal, Mason McTavish, Olen Zellweger, Jackson LaCombe, and Troy Terry. Under GM Verbeek`s tenure starting in 2022, the team further bolstered its talent pool by drafting Pavel Mintyukov and Leo Carlsson, and acquiring Cutter Gauthier, originally the Flyers` fifth overall pick in 2022, via trade.
Verbeek elaborated on their drafting strategy: “We came up with a philosophy on the players that we want to draft and we proceeded to try and execute that as closely as possible given the fact there are variables like if a guy is there and if not, you might not have a choice. That`s how we`ve gone about it. The other part is making sure you get to pick high. You know you`re going to find some gems later in the draft. But you have a better chance of finding them if you`re picking high.”
Madden and Verbeek prioritized drafting competitive, intelligent prospects with strong work ethics, understanding that player development varies significantly. This diversity is evident in their prospects: Jackson LaCombe matured through four years of college hockey, while Leo Carlsson gained experience playing against professionals in Sweden, and Mason McTavish rapidly progressed through the OHL, AHL, and NHL all in the same year.
Beyond drafting, the Ducks strategically acquired experienced veterans. Verbeek targeted players with Stanley Cup victories, like Alex Killorn, or those with extensive playoff experience, including Mikael Granlund, Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, and Chris Kreider. Verbeek successfully recruited these veterans by emphasizing their crucial role in shaping a winning culture and mentoring a promising homegrown core. Verbeek, a former older player himself, believed this opportunity to play alongside and guide young talent was a significant draw for the veterans.
The synergy between Leo Carlsson and Mikael Granlund exemplifies this strategy. Carlsson, the 2023 No. 2 overall pick, is projected as a future top-line, two-way center, while Granlund was signed to provide immediate proven two-way ability and stability in the top-nine. To facilitate this mentorship, the Ducks intentionally placed Carlsson`s locker next to Granlund`s at the practice facility, fostering a close relationship and enabling instant feedback and advice.
Carlsson noted the simple, yet effective, advice from veterans: “They just want us to play our game and they`re giving us awesome tips… Sitting next to Granny [Granlund] in the dressing room, he gives me tips too and I just listen and take it all in. Then you take it into your game and it`s knowing you`ll be fine.”
Veterans Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, both having experienced a rebuild with the New York Rangers, emphasized the delicate balance of their role. Trouba described it as passing down accumulated knowledge while also serving as a supportive sounding board for younger players navigating the complexities of the NHL. Kreider added that while veteran voices are crucial, they also encourage young players to express their own thoughts and ideas.
Troy Terry, the 28-year-old longest-serving Duck, best encapsulates the team`s direction. He sees the front office`s continued commitment to drafting and developing homegrown talent, combined with the addition of veterans, as clear proof of their dedication to building a long-term winner. “It sends the message that we do have the guys here now that can make that push and at minimum, fight for a playoff spot,” Terry stated. “I think just the moves that were made help our team a lot but it helps send the message internally that it`s time to really take that next step.”
This holistic approach also includes another significant, multi-faceted decision by Verbeek and the Ducks` front office.
Quenneville`s Return and Accountability
Joel Quenneville`s return to coaching brings both on-ice and off-ice questions. His four-season hiatus raises concerns about his strategic adaptability, while his past role in the Blackhawks` sexual assault scandal demands scrutiny regarding his stated personal growth and lessons learned.
Upon accepting the Ducks job in May, Quenneville, the NHL`s second-winningest coach, claimed to be a changed man. This assertion prompts vital questions: how has he genuinely evolved, and what concrete measures are he and the Ducks implementing to prevent similar organizational missteps, echoing the Columbus Blue Jackets` acknowledged error in hiring Mike Babcock in 2023?
Quenneville and Verbeek addressed these concerns repeatedly during Quenneville`s introductory news conference, and months later, the Ducks organization continues to face scrutiny. A team source indicated the organization`s commitment to transparency regarding Quenneville`s hiring, including their selection process and prior efforts to ensure a safe environment for all employees.
Quenneville asserted his newfound commitment: “A lot of the people I worked with were very helpful in how to deal with, how to be aware and how to address these situations. We talked about this on the first day of training camp, about what my takeaways were from the last four years. A lot of people taught me important things… and the one thing I want to apply is that it`s not going to happen on our watch.” He emphasized prioritizing safety and accountability: “The awareness factor — be it staff, players, one another. Let`s make sure that we`re all aware that any instances of bad behavior are addressed and identified and that accountability is there and that trust and support is there. I think that the most important thing for me and for us is that your safety is the priority.”
Verbeek highlighted that the comprehensive education and programming Quenneville underwent with advocacy groups over the past three years aligns with similar initiatives undertaken by Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli, who have championed such efforts since 2003. Verbeek confirmed the Ducks` commitment to “constant education,” with refreshment courses every two years. The extensive training provided by the Ducks has established robust practices and protocols aimed at recognizing warning signs proactively.
Quenneville stated that his conversations with sexual assault survivors profoundly reinforced his understanding that such situations “can never happen again.” “I can`t be in a position to even think about letting it happen again,” Quenneville emphasized. “I learned I should have done more things. I should have asked more questions. I should have been tougher in some meetings to find out more. I`ll take ownership of that and I know that it won`t happen again.”
The NHL previously deemed Quenneville, along with former Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman and executive Al MacIsaac, ineligible for employment due to inadequate organizational policies, fining the Blackhawks $2 million. Commissioner Gary Bettman lifted Quenneville`s ban in July 2024, acknowledging “sincere remorse” from all three for their “unacceptable” handling of the allegations. Stan Bowman was the first of the three to return to the NHL, becoming GM of the Edmonton Oilers in summer 2024.
On-Ice Expectations and Quenneville`s Coaching Philosophy
On the ice, Quenneville`s success with the Blackhawks was often attributed to his ability to elevate young talent, a core group that included Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Jonathan Toews. His experience with the Florida Panthers, seeing similarities in their young core of Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, and Jonathan Huberdeau to his Blackhawks teams, made South Florida appealing. The Panthers ultimately built a dynasty around Barkov and Ekblad, acquiring Matthew Tkachuk via trade for Huberdeau, leading to consecutive Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025.
Despite being eligible to return in the 2024-25 season, Quenneville remained jobless but keenly followed the NHL. While living in Florida, he was approached by former Hartford Whalers teammate Pat Verbeek, who proposed the Ducks` coaching position. Quenneville expressed his optimism: “Before that, I was looking at, `Where could I go if there was an opportunity?` From what I saw and from what everyone told me, that this is the place to come. This is a team that`s ready. They got a lot of the right pieces.”
Entering the season, Quenneville is 31 wins shy of 1,000 career victories, positioning him second on the NHL`s all-time wins list behind Scotty Bowman`s 1,244. His extensive track record, including multiple Stanley Cups, solidifies his status as one of hockey`s greatest coaches and undoubtedly the most high-profile coach in Ducks history.
A key factor in Quenneville`s past success has been his knack for teaching and connecting with young players. This was evident in St. Louis, where 22-year-old captain Chris Pronger achieved a career-high in points in Quenneville`s first season. Similarly, in Chicago, players like Kane, Keith, Toews, and Seabrook reached new career highs under his guidance, a pattern also seen in Florida with Barkov and Ekblad.
The central question now is whether he can replicate this developmental success with the Ducks` promising young core in the upcoming 2025-26 season and beyond. Young forward Leo Carlsson expressed excitement about improving under Quenneville: “It`s exciting, but obviously, it`s all on me though when it comes to playing better. The thing is he`s proven to younger guys that he`s about giving us a fair chance, and I`m excited for that. He`s just a coach that makes your game better, which I love.”
Duncan Priestley