Anaheim Ducks: Preseason Takeaways

NHL.com

The Anaheim Ducks wrapped up their eight-game preseason slate on Sunday with a 4-4-0 record. Although the Ducks have been adjusting to significant changes within the organization since the first day of the off-season, they continued to face obstacles well into the final week of the preseason. While the team continues to familiarize themselves with their new head coach, Greg Cronin, they may also be adjusting to a lack of overall chemistry due to delays in contract signings. With the Duck’s 2023-2024 season officially beginning on Saturday, let’s review the biggest preseason takeaways.

Throughout the preseason, Anaheim faced the San Jose Sharks, the Los Angeles Kings, and the Arizona Coyotes. They were off to a seemingly impressive start, considering they were without two key players. During Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale’s unanticipated absence, there were some surprising standout players, such as Sam Carrick and Brett Leason, who both recorded multiple points during several games. As roster cuts were made and contracts were signed, the overall chemistry of the established team began to falter slightly.

ACQUISITIONS AND RELEASES

Within the final week of the preseason, Pat Verbeek acquired defenseman Lassi Thomson from the Ottawa Senators, but he was later released on waivers following the contract signing of Jamie Drysdale. Lassi Thomson had a promising first performance against the Arizona Coyotes, but it appears that Verbeek acquired the defenseman to alleviate the weighing absence of Drysdale. The Edmonton Oilers right winger, Zack Kassian, began a professional try-out with Anaheim at the start of the preseason but was released without a contract last week.

GOALIE COMPETITION

In a recent training camp interview, Greg Cronin spoke about the current “goalie competition” within the organization, which he clarified included John Gibson, Lukas Dostal, and Alex Stallock. Alex Stallock was picked up during the off-season from Chicago and made an appearance in several preseason games. Notably, he subbed in for Gibson in the third period against the Coyotes at Honda Center. Stallock’s overall net-minding style differed vastly from that of John Gibson and Lukas Dostal. Stallock has now been assigned to the San Diego Gulls, meaning Gibson and Dostal will tandem in-net.

WHAT WILL A LACK OF CHEMISTRY MEAN FOR ANAHEIM?

Due to constant roster moves, it is expected that all teams struggle with a slight lack of chemistry heading into a new season. However, with Anaheim amid a rebuild, the roster now consists of a significant amount of rookies. This provides Anaheim with a unique advantage as the organization currently has the highest-ranked prospects in all of the NHL. But, of course, there will be an adjustment period as they become comfortable contending at a national level. As the organization continues to adjust to a new head coach, an influx of young players, and star players missing out on valuable training camp practice, it will be interesting to watch the team develop within the first few weeks of the season. After finishing 32nd in the standings last season, the organization is hopeful that they will find themselves finishing a few spots higher at the end of this season.

Episode 127: The Ol' Meat Sweats Late Arrivals: An Anaheim Ducks Podcast

On this episode of LAP, the guys talk about the end of the Conference Finals and give their thoughts on the storyline going into the Cup Final. They talk about how evenly matched this rematch feels and who they're rooting for. They finish this shorter episode with some takes on soup and answer listener questions! Follow Late Arrivals  Twitter: @latearrivalspod Instagram: @latearrivalspod Follow the hosts Chris: @CJKChel Connor: @91_Pluty Jake: @_JRobles71 Louis: @Louiex37  Intro/ Outro done by Will Rice/ @pastorwillrice
  1. Episode 127: The Ol' Meat Sweats
  2. Episode 126: Duck Pattern Baldness
  3. Episode 125: Choices Were Made
  4. Episode 124: Why?
  5. Episode 123: Cro On And Git!

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

One thought on “Anaheim Ducks: Preseason Takeaways”

Leave a Reply

Calder Cup Game 1 Preview: Abbotsford Canucks at Charlotte Checkers with Line Combinations 6/13/2025

Calder Cup Game 1 Preview: Abbotsford Canucks at Charlotte Checkers with Line Combinations 6/13/2025

Calder Cup Game 1 Preview: Abbotsford Canucks at Charlotte Checkers with Line Combinations 6/13/2025

Read More
Radim Mrtka skating for the Seattle Thunderbirds

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Radim Mrtka

Radim Mrtka is a big 6-foot-6, 220-pound right-shot defenseman who was born in Havlickuv Brod, Czechia, and played in the Czech system for the last four years, including time with the Czech national teams. Mrtka was one of the top players on the U18 team during the World Junior Championships and was the most penalized […]

Read More

ECHL: Tyler Spezia Heads Overseas

Toledo Walleye forward Tyler Spezia is heading overseas to Germany to join the Nurnberg Ice Tigers in the DEL after spending his first seven seasons in North America. Spezia had a breakout year for the Walleye, putting up 25 goals and 32 assists for 57 points in 52 games. He would add six goals and […]

Read More