Vegas Golden Knights scouting report on a division rival with the Anaheim Ducks
Not many people have thought about the Anaheim Ducks in recent years. But will that change in 2024-25?
Not many people think about the Anaheim Ducks since they were last in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2018. The team has been mired in a lengthy rebuild, where the team's stuck in another year of not contending. Outgoing pieces such as Corey Perry have made it harder for Southern California hockey fans to remember the team. It's gotten to the point where people think more about the Roman Empire than the Ducks.
It's a sad state of affairs when you let go of lesser-known names that turn out to be relevant. William Karlsson and Shea Theodore are perfect examples of this, joining the Vegas Golden Knights and carving out key roles for the team. In fact, they've made two Stanley Cup Final appearances and have hoisted Lord Stanley once. As for the Ducks? Not so much.
It's sad to see a franchise that was literally named after the Mighty Ducks movies fall to such irrelevance. Yet, there's a new tide of hope on the shores of Orange County. Names like Trevor Zegras, Frank Vatrano, and Beckett Sennecke are arriving on the scene, hoping to bring another thrillin blockbuster to the land of Disney.
What will that mean for the Golden Knights heading into the 2024-25 season? What does Anaheim present to the rest of the Pacific Division threat-wise? Most of all, will this finally be the year they return to the playoffs (hopefully, not at Vegas's expense)? There are numerous developing names that could bring playoff hockey back to the House of Mouse. Here's what Golden Knights fans expect from watching the Ducks in the upcoming hockey year.
What's the strength of the Anaheim Ducks? What's their weakness?
Last season, the Anaheim Ducks finished 27-50-5, lagging near the bottom with the San Jose Sharks. That's despite having good scoring options such as Frank Vatrano (37 goals, 60 points), a young Mason MacTavish (19 goals, 42 points), and Troy Terry (34 assists). That's not even mentioning Trevor Zegras was out for most of the 2023-24 season, playing 31 games.
Adding Beckett Sennecke should help bolster this unit, making them even more of an offensive threat. If things go right, they could also develop into a strong special teams unit, where they can capitalize on other team's mistakes. The Ducks can keep the puck in the offensive zone and wear you down, making them tougher throughout the game.
However, there are some problems that could hinder them from getting back to the Stanley Cup playoffs. For example, they led the NHL last season in % of PIM taken with 55.25% and were lacking defensively. That included takeaways from the opponent (417, 25th-best) and giveaways to the opponent (530, 17th-most in the NHL).
The Vegas Golden Knights act as a counter in this regard, where they were sixth in taking the puck away from the opponent (573) and blocked shots (1,506, third-best). By taking care of the puck and applying pressure with the forecheck, they can let Anaheim make mistakes on their own. That's good news for players like William Karlsson, Shea Theodore, and Ivan Barbashev, who thrive on running the play on the rush.
Why fans should watch out for Trevor Zegras
Last season, Trevor Zegras played 31 games for the Anaheim Ducks. He missed a bulk of the year because of a broken ankle, leaving the Ducks short offensively. Therefore, he'll be a name to watch for numerous reasons, starting with how he does post-injury. Will he lose speed and agility when he returns? How will his two-way game be affected? His play will be under the microscope as trade rumors loom.
Speaking of which, the Vegas Golden Knights could be a trade partner for a potential deal if the circumsances are right. There will be some pratfalls with getting a deal done, such as taking on his $5.75 million cap hit. However, Zegras could serve as a cheaper alternative to Patrik Laine, especially if the Finnish winger goes off the trade board.
The former first-round pick for the Ducks will be a name to watch regardless of what happens. He has tremendous upside as an offensive player, showcasing incredible puck control and offensive instincts. However, he could wind up playing for Vegas, especially with Kelly McCrimmon deferring the bill to other teams.
How much of a threat will the Anaheim Ducks be to the Vegas Golden Knights?
Don't sleep on the Anaheim Ducks this season. They have solid young offensive talent and are also developing a quality goaltender in Lukas Dostal. The pieces are there for Anaheim to compete for future Pacific Division titles. It's a matter of when they're putting it together that will indicate their threat status.
So what about the Vegas Golden Knights? Should they be concerned of the Ducks doing what the Vancouver Canucks did last season? There's probable cause given the Canucks had star power on all units, whether it was defense (Quinn Hughes) or at center (Elias Petterson). The Golden Knights shouldn't have too much trouble with Anaheim, especially if they play disciplined hockey.
However, there's no such thing as a sure thing. That's true when it comes to an expansion team that had unknowns such as William Karlsson and Shea Theodore being bad. That never happened as they made the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season, putting the NHL on notice. Thus, the legend of the Golden Knights was born. That could be a similar story for the Ducks in 2024-25, where a team of unknown players could finally take that next step. Who knows? The "Flying V" might make its glorious return.
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