2026 Team Previews: Anaheim Ducks
As we debut a new offseason series here at Blueshirt Banter, let's take a look at the moves Anaheim made this summer and what next season could hold.
Welcome to 2026 Team Previews, a new series from Blueshirt Banter. In this series, we'll be taking a look at the 31 other teams in the NHL and evaluating their last season, their offseason, and what we can expect from them in the upcoming season, plus whatever tie-ins they have with the New York Rangers.
Between the Leo Carlsson offer sheet, the Mason McTavish trade, and losing half of their blue line to trades and free agency, the Anaheim Ducks have been a team that found themselves in lots of headlines this offseason, and not for the greatest reasons.
2025-26 Outcome
Regular Season Results: 43-33-6
Postseason Results: Defeated Edmonton 4-2, Lost to Vegas 4-2
The Ducks certainly weren't expected to be a playoff team this past season, but were viewed as a team on the rise that, if all went according to plan, could entertain some wildcard conversations. They undoubtedly exceeded expectations, made a big splash at the trade deadline to acquire John Carlson, and went on to solidify third place in the Pacific Division, earning them their first playoff berth in over seven years. They had an impressive run, taking down the Edmonton Oilers in Round 1, but couldn't keep the magic going against the team that went on to the Stanley Cup Final in the Vegas Golden Knights.
All things considered, it was a successful season for the Ducks, but how does it impact their expectations moving forward? Let's break it down.
Who's In and Who's Out
When you look at the ins and outs of this Ducks roster at face value, it's pretty clear that they don't appear to have gotten better. Losing Radko Gudas, John Carlson, Jacob Trouba, and Olen Zellweger, and then essentially replacing them with a 35-year-old Nick Jensen, is a bit of a disaster. However, it is important to keep in mind the Ducks are a team in the early stages of exiting a rebuild and, as recently as this year's draft, are still adding pieces to set them up for more of a long term success.
On the defensive side, I'm unsure how anyone can like what they did. They were in a tough position with essentially their entire right side hitting unrestricted free agency at the same time. But that being said, you didn't have to go out and trade Olen Zellweger on top of that. They do have Drew Helleson, Ian Moore, and to lesser extent younger players like Tristan Luneau and Noah Warren, who could be candidates to rebuild the right side. But for a team that is surely looking to remain in the playoff picture, you're putting a ton of trust into Helleson and Moore, even if just to get you by in the meantime.
With the forwards, they replaced gritty depth wingers in Jeffrey Viel, Ross Johnston, and Jansen Harkins with A.J. Greer, Jeff Mallot, and James Hamblin, which is fine business, and potentially even an upgrade. Trading Zellweger was a bit senseless, but that shouldn't discount what they're getting in Anton Wahlberg. He was one of Buffalo's top center prospects and very well could go on to be an effective Mason McTavish replacement within the next year or two.
Which, speaking of, brings us to the Ducks biggest moves of the summer.
