Anaheim Ducks return with Joel Quenneville, Chris Kreider and ambitious offseason with playoffs

The Anaheim Ducks enters a new era defined by bold moves and new ambitions. After seven straight seasons without playoffs (their last appearance), the Ducks’ front desk indicated that the reconstruction was over and that the game time is now over. The offseason hiring of legendary coach Joel Quenneville and the offseason that transforms headlines by veteran winger Chris Kreider are expected to take further action in free agents and the NHL draft. Anaheim has a talented young core and a determined general manager who is ready to make serious push to the 2025-26 playoffs.

Joel Quenneville: Verified Winner Reward

The Ducks’ decision to hire Joel Quenneville as their 12th head coach marks one of the most important moves in franchise history. Quenneville is the second-winner coach in NHL history, with the Chicago Blackhawks having 969 regular season titles and three Stanley Cup titles. He is widely regarded as one of the league’s most accomplished bench bosses, and his recruitment signal is Anaheim’s intention to transform from reconstruction to victory.

Quenneville returns to the NHL after three years of absence. The Duck conducted a comprehensive review of his role in his past and previous controversies, consulting with alliance officials and advocates on positive change. General Manager Pat Verbeek stressed that Quenneville showed meaningful personal growth and accountability, thus gaining the opportunity to return to coach.

Quenneville himself expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the duck and pointed out that this is the organization he wants to reboot his career with, and he is really grateful for the opportunity. He praised the duck’s ownership, management and enthusiastic fans. He stressed that in nearly four years since the game, he learned what he had learned from his previous mistakes and realized that the actions of words would show his commitment to becoming a better leader.

Playoff expectations and odds

Despite intense efforts later in the 2024-25 season, Anaheim ended up having no playoffs, extending its drought to seven years. Their playoff odds hovered at zero and were close to zero throughout most of the spring, with their record of 35-37-10. However, the mood around the organization has changed dramatically. Sports books like Sweeps Cash Casino have been slow to adjust, with the Ducks listing long shots of the Stanley Cup, but those odds may be shorter soon if Anaheim makes the big name in free agency and their young players continue to develop.

Chris Kreider Trade: Senior Leadership and Score

Anaheim’s offseason ambitions were further highlighted by Anaheim’s acquisition of Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers. Kreider is a two-time NHL All-Star and Rangers’ all-time leader in playoff goals, bringing a reputation as a size, speed and clutch performer. The Ducks sent prospect Carey Terrance and third-round picks to New York in exchange for Kreider and fourth-round picks, a move designed to add direct impact and leadership to the younger roster.

General Manager Pat Verbeek described Kreider as the team wanted to add this offseason. He highlights Kreider’s size, speed, clutch performance and the ability to upgrade two special team units.

Despite Kreider’s work dropping last season – he scored 22 goals and 30 points in 68 games), he remains one of the main power forwards in the NHL. He has led the league with short and powerful goals since the 2021-22 season, putting him in the elite company. The Ducks hope Kreider’s experience and tricks to score in critical situations will help guide their young stars and stabilize the locker room.

A promising young core

The foundation of Anaheim’s optimism depends on its impressive promising talent. In the 2024-25 season, there were 11 Duck players aged 25 or under, and they made great contributions. Ducks players aged 21 or under scored a total of 64 goals and 152 points, leading both categories. Key names include Leo Carlsson, who scored 45 points in his sophomore season and his progress has improved significantly as the years progressed. Mason McTavish, who is a reliable two-way center, has made a breakthrough movement; Trevor Zegras, whose elite skills are still tempting even after the ups and downs. Troy Terry leads the team and continues to be the Ducks’ top six mid-level tay pole. On the defensive side, young players like Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov have made an impact at the NHL level.

The Ducks’ Prospect Pipeline is one of the best in the league. Recent top picks and high-end prospects, such as Cutter Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke and Tristan Luneau, are ready to push the NHL effort. This depth provides hope for Anaheim’s flexibility and hope for continued success.

Pat Verbeek’s Vision and Free Player Splash

General Manager Pat Verbeek, a two-time player in the Stanley Cup title and longtime NHL director, has been methodical since taking over in 2022. He balances with targeted veteran additions, always focusing on building perennial competitors. Verbeek’s recent moves, including hiring Quenneville and Kreider trade, show that the time for patience is over.

The Ducks are expected to show aggressiveness in free agents, trying to add top wingers or other influencers to complement their young core and Cred. Anaheim has worked hard to attract Marquee free agents over the years, but the narrative has changed. Quinnerville is behind the bench, with a talented roster and a clear commitment to victory, the Ducks are now seen as an ideal destination. Management publicly stated that it intends to compete for the playoffs, and that more fan bases are within the optimistic range.

Draft Capital and Draft NHL 2025

The Ducks will be ranked 10th in the 2025 NHL Draft, the third time in their franchise history holding the draft pick. Anaheim has nine draft picks in the draft, including four in the first three rounds, which gives them enough chance to add more high-end talent or packaging options to help immediately. General Manager Verbeek expressed confidence in the scouts and believed that the team would add another exciting young player to an already deep group.

The Anaheim Duck is no longer content to wait for the future and they are now planning to shape it. Joel Quenneville’s recruitment, Chris Kreider’s acquisition, and attacks on the positive ways and drafts of free agents lay the foundation for a dramatic turnaround. With one of the league’s most promising young cores, the champions close behind the bench, and the front end dedicated to competing, the Ducks are expected to splash in the 2025-26 NHL season. For Anaheim fans, hope is back, so there is hope.