The Anaheim Ducks are a team that’s still figuring out their new identity and learning that progress in a rebuild isn’t truly linear.

Anaheim has been in a state of flux since 2018, having never finished higher than 6th in the Pacific in the last six seasons. But under GM Pat Verbeek, the Ducks fully committed to the tank in 2022, only to lose out on Connor Bedard despite having the best lottery odds.

Last season, the Ducks improved by a single point, but enough to jump from last place ahead of both the Sharks and the Blackhawks. But none of those improvements came against the Canucks, who swept Anaheim across their three meetings in 2023-24.

To call the Ducks’ core “young” would be an understatement. Trevor Zegras and Isac Lundestrom represent the old guards at centre, at ages 23 and 24. 2023 second overall pick Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish and recent addition Cutter Gauthier are already anchoring the team’s top six. And 20-year-old defenders Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov are both already taking meaningful minutes on the Anaheim blue line.

While the team has some veteran presences in players like John “Why am I still playing here?” Gibson, Alex Killorn, and Radko Gudas, Anaheim is a hard sell for free agents right now. That’s probably why the biggest move the Ducks have made in the offseason was bringing back their iconic Disney-era logo in modern orange and black.

As much as these jerseys rock, they won’t endear themselves to the Orange County locals unless some wins come with them. It’s safe to say the Ducks are adjusting to the NHL on the fly, and second-year head coach Greg Cronin is being tasked with teaching developing players while seeing improved standings results.

Anaheim certainly won’t be challenging for a playoff spot this year, but they also feel a little too established to still be losing 50+ games a season. Injuries might derail those plans like they did last year, but the Ducks are flirting with getting stuck in the eternal mushy middle unless they make some big moves to surround the talent they already have. Losing with routine only serves to create an environment of complacency (just ask the Jim Benning-era Canucks), and it might be time for the Ducks’ front office to start taking some risks instead of playing it safe over and over again.

Trevor Zegras will be part of a blockbuster three-team trade ahead of the deadline, one that ends with the Ducks landing Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny for the top line.

November 5 @ Honda Center

February 27 @ Honda Center

March 5 @ Rogers Arena

April 5 @ Rogers Arena