Ducks season preview: Gauthier contract vital in bid to take next step

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins Sept 29. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the Anaheim Ducks.

Last season: 43-33-6, third in Pacific Division; lost in Western Conference Second Round

Coach: Joel Quenneville (second season)

Biggest challenge

Starting training camp without their leading goal-scorer from last season. Cutter Gauthier led Anaheim in goals (41), points (69), power-play goals (11), power-play points (19), game-winning goals (seven) and shots on goal (285) in 76 games last season. He also led the Ducks with 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games. The 22-year-old forward is a restricted free agent, and with Anaheim having signed forward Leo Carlsson ($18 million average annual value) and defenseman Pavel Mintyukov to five-year contracts, salary cap space could be an issue. Any time missed by Gauthier would impact the Ducks, who also will be without forward Troy Terry for at least the first month of the season because of a hip injury.

How they make playoffs

The Ducks were a surprise team last season when they qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2018. However, their defense will be revamped after losing John Carlson, Radko Gudas and Olen Zellweger (trade), and Jacob Trouba (free agency). Jackson LaCombe and Mintyukov should take on a bulk of the work, but there will be opportunities for the likes of Tyson Hinds (six NHL games), Tristan Luneau (one NHL game), and Stian Solberg (no NHL games). How the new-look defense fares will be key. Anaheim may also need to rely on its offense, which ranked 13th (3.23 goals per game) after it was in the bottom three each of the previous three seasons. The Ducks took a step back defensively, ranking 29th in goals against per game (3.51) after they were tied for 22nd (3.18) in 2024-25.

Most intriguing addition

A.J. Greer was acquired in a trade with the Florida Panthers on June 29 for Gudas and signed a four-year contract two days later. The 29-year-old forward set NHL career highs in goals (17), assists (15) and points (32) in 78 games last season and led the Panthers with 203 hits. He won the Stanley Cup with Florida in 2025 and said he is expecting to take on a larger role with Anaheim, perhaps even in the top six. With Gauthier unsigned and Chris Kreider, the team's fourth-leading goal scorer last season with 22 having his contract terminated on Sept. 10, someone will need to step up. In addition to his offense, the Ducks hope Greer provides a physical presence, which they need after losing their top four hits leaders from last season (Gudas, Trouba, Ross Johnston, Jansen Harkins).

Biggest potential surprise

Frank Vatrano had his worst statistical season in 2025-26. The forward was limited to 50 games because of a shoulder injury and had nine points (five goals, four assists), the fewest in his 11 NHL seasons. Vatrano had 45 points in 81 games in 2024-25 and 60 points (37 goals, 23 assists) in 82 games in 2023-24, and had missed only two games in his first three seasons with the Ducks. Forward Roger McQueen, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft who signed an entry-level contract in April, also is someone to watch if he makes the team out of training camp. The 19-year-old had 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 36 games as a freshman at Providence College last season, then had three points (one goal, two assists) in seven games with San Diego of the American Hockey League.

Ready to contribute

Luneau played one game for the Ducks last season and scored a goal. He has four points (two goals, two assists) in 14 games of NHL experience the past three seasons but could earn a full-time role this season. The 22-year-old defenseman has spent the past three seasons with San Diego of the AHL, where he has flourished. Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek said he expects Luneau to make an impact because of his well-rounded game and because he can contribute on special teams.

Fantasy sleeper with EDGE stats

Mikael Granlund, F: The 34-year-old forward had 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists), including 12 on the power play (eight power-play goals; tied for second on team) in 58 games last season, his first with the Ducks. He led the team in face-off win percentage (49.7 percent; minimum 400 face-offs taken) and its forwards in average ice time (19:10 per game). Granlund also tied for the Ducks lead with five goals during the playoffs, and his 10 points in 12 games tied for fourth on the team. He showed great chemistry with forward Beckett Sennecke (60 points during rookie season; third on team) at 5-on-5. Per NHL EDGE stats, Granlund ranked in the 89th percentile among forwards in mid-range goals (nine) last season. He had at least 60 points each of the previous two seasons and remains a perennial fantasy bargain (going undrafted on average for 2026-27). -- Chris Meaney

Projected lineup

Frank Vatrano -- Leo Carlsson -- Beckett Sennecke

Alex Killorn -- Mikael Granlund -- Roger McQueen

Sam Colangelo -- Ryan Poehling -- Nikita Nesterenko

Jeff Malott -- Tim Washe -- A.J. Greer

Jackson LaCombe -- Ian Moore

Pavel Mintyukov -- Nick Jensen

Tristan Luneau -- Drew Helleson

Lukas Dostal

Ville Husso

Injured: Troy Terry (hip)