Ducks hope mix of youth and veterans can bring team back to playoffs

Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Anaheim Ducks have missed the postseason for the past six years. But they’re hoping to change that sooner rather than later.

Coming into the 2024-25 campaign, the organization is hopeful that some of their younger players can take the next steps in their careers to at least flirt with the idea of playing meaningful hockey in the Spring.

Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano are now in their third season with the Ducks, and they have been considered two of the important veteran leaders for this group. In their first two seasons with the team, the Ducks finished in the bottom two of the division, but the expectations are much higher for the team this year.

Having Greg Cronin behind the bench for his second full year, along with the addition of other veterans like Robby Fabbri and Brian Dumoulin, has helped quite a bit.

“I think we have a lot more depth and a much more solid lineup,” Strome said. “We have four really good lines. It’s still a work in progress, but I think you can see the progression of our young guys, and some of our older guys have taken a step too – trying to become leaders and stuff like that. We’re growing together, it’s not going to be perfect every night, but the steps are going in the right direction.”

Vatrano and Strome came to Anaheim together. After getting to the Eastern Conference Finals with the New York Rangers, these two have been around a winning group. That said, they understand their position is to help the young guys.

“I think everyone made a big step forward,” Vatrano said. “We have so many young guys on our team, and a lot of the young guys on our team this year played the whole year last year — that’s huge for development. Finding how to play in this league is the hardest thing, but once you figure that piece out, you know what you need to do every night to be successful.”

One of the young guys that Strome and Vatrano are referencing is the 2023 2nd overall pick, Leo Carlsson, who is in his second season in the NHL. Carlsson only played in 55 games last year because GM Pat Verbeek and coach Cronin felt it was best for his development to put him under load management. Through eight games this year, though, Carlsson has tallied three goals with two assists.

Now that Carlsson knows what to expect from the NHL, his teammates think his ceiling for this season is incredibly high.

“He’s always been pretty mature,” Strome said. “It’s going to be a challenge for him to play every game now, but when he’s going, he’s our best player – super special to watch. You don’t see many guys with that Eichel style who are 6-foot-4 and dice through the neutral zone, super shift, super dynamic, and a really good guy, so it’s awesome to see it.”

Another young star who has attracted considerable attention is Cutter Gauthier. The former Philadelphia Flyers prospect led the NCAA in goals last season with 38 in 41 games at Boston College. But early on, he struggled with just three assists in eight games.

“He played center most of his college career, and now he’s playing the wing – so it won’t be totally seamless,” Strome said. “But I think he gets more comfortable with each game. He’s got so much speed and such a good shot that once he learns how to use that on the ice – he’s going to be electric. He’s already finding it.

“His first three strides are so explosive – f*ck if I could skate like that, I’d be loving it,” Strome added with a chuckle. “He’s got all those tools, but once he figures out how to put those in the NHL game he’s going to be lights out.”

Gauthier came into the league with a lot of noise because of how the trade with the Flyers was handled, but despite not having a goal, he’s still oozing with confidence. And that’s important for a young man, especially as he’s still adjusting to the grind of an 82-game NHL season.

“It’s a hard league – it’s the hardest league in the world for a reason,” Gauthier said. “There are no off nights. Un college, some nights you’re playing a weaker team, and you can get away with cheating the game, but if you cheat the game here, you’re on the highlight reel.”

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Ducks hope mix of youth and veterans can bring team back to playoffs

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