Pathway to the Playoffs: Anaheim Ducks

Coach
Dallas Eakins

Notable Additions
Mason McTavish (3rd Overall Pick)

Notable Subtractions
Ryan Miller (Retirement), Danton Heinen (Pittsburgh) and David Backes (Retirement)

Notable Free Agents 2022
Rickard Rakell, Ryan Getzlaf, Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson

Pathway to the Playoffs
For the first time Ducks' GM Brian Murray told the Orange County Register that, «We're sticking to our plan. We're rebuilding.» This was the first acknowledgement that the Ducks were finally entering the inevitable phase that many fans had wanted to see for years. With an influx of high level talent like Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish, Jamie Drysdale and so many other exciting pieces this rebuild is already in full swing and if you jump ahead to the trade deadline you'll likely see some very enticing pieces move out of Anaheim for picks and prospects.

The game plan this year is pretty simple, it's time for the kids to play and to take some serious steps forward. Trevor Zegras, Isac Lundestrom, Sam Steel, Max Comtois and Jamie Drysdale will likely be leaned upon heavily to play importants minutes and the Ducks are hoping they'll mature significantly because of it. This season you shouldn't expect much from the Anaheim Ducks, but a continued focus on development and experience could lead this Ducks team to be can't miss hockey as they're bound to play some high tempo and hard nosed hockey. This season there likely isn't a path to the playoffs for the Ducks, but that won't be the case for long.

Prediction
Instigator's Perspective - 7th in the Pacific
Hockey GM Advice - 5th in the Pacific