Could The Anaheim Ducks Be Back In The Playoffs Next Season?
The Anaheim Ducks finished seventh in the Pacific Division with a record of 31-37-14 this past year. They were on the outside looking into the playoffs once again, but next season could be different for the Ducks.
One of the most entertaining teams to watch this past season were the Anaheim Ducks.
Despite a losing record and missing out on the playoffs for the fourth year in a row, this Ducks team was fun. They were led on the ice by breakout star Troy Terry who scored 37 goals and registered 67 points on the season.
They also were led by rookie Trevor Zegras who was drafted ninth overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. Zegras played in 24 games in 2020-21 putting up 13 points but it was his first full season in the league that really saw him become a star.
This team is young with five of their top ten point-getters from this past season being 25 or younger. They are a well-positioned team that has been rebuilding the past few seasons that can now take that next step.
Last year the rebuilding teams fans were talking about that could take that next step were the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings. Two teams that ended up making the playoffs, and one that is still going with a chance at a Stanley Cup.
While the Ducks might not be the Rangers by any stretch, they do have a chance to be as successful as the Kings if they make a few moves this offseason. Maybe the team can go out and add a big Evgeni Malkin” href=”https://puckprose.com/2022/05/26/nhl-rumors-five-teams-sign-evgeni-malkin/” rel=””>free agent like Evgeni Malkin for example.
The Ducks have 39 million in cap space to work with this offseason. Obviously, a big reason for that cap space is the fact that they have nine players from their roster looking for new contracts, but the majority of those players should not be asking for huge pay raises. This team can bring back the group they want and still go out and add some big-name players to help elevate their team to the next level.
The Kings went out this past offseason and added Phillip Danault, he really elevated the team and helped take them to the next level. Maybe the Ducks can do that too. It would not surprise me if we see the Ducks back in the playoffs next year. All they have to do now is decide which player they want to be apart of their success.