After having a great start to the season, the Anaheim Ducks have recently gone through some difficult times. Entering Wednesday’s (Nov. 22) game against the Montreal Canadiens, the team has only managed four goals in three games.
Given that the Ducks are still in the early stages of their rebuild, it shouldn’t be shocking that they have had some ups and downs in 2023–24. They are still only one point behind the St. Louis Blues and Seattle Kraken for a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, though, so they are making progress.
Though the Ducks still have a lot of work ahead of them, it’s encouraging to see them be much more competitive this season. Expectations should be moderated. Now that the Ducks have completed a four-game homestand, let’s discuss all the news and rumors you should be aware of.
Netminder Gibson of the Ducks is Back in Trade Talk
John Gibson has greatly improved this season after a dismal 2022–23 campaign. He has a 4-6-0 record, a 2.27 goals-against average (GAA), and a.926 save percentage (SV%) after 11 games played. With eight Quality Starts, Gibson is tied for second place in the NHL with Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights and Cam Talbot of the Los Angeles Kings, according to Hockey Reference. Additionally, Gibson has a Goals Saved Above Expected (7.36) league ranking of fifth.
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Although it’s nothing new for him, Gibson’s improved play has made him the focus of trade talk once more. Although he has been the subject of trade rumors for years, a significant roadblock has been his $6.4 million cap hit through the 2026–2027 season. But a number of teams are in dire need of goaltending upgrades right now, and in 2024–2025, the salary cap may rise by $4.5 million. This may increase the likelihood of a Gibson trade in the offseason, though a deal might still happen before then if teams are motivated enough.
Tuesday, Nov. 21, during The Jeff Marek Show, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman mentioned Gibson’s name in reference to the turmoil the Edmonton Oilers are going through. “Maybe John Gibson could have an impact?” Friedman pondered. “Yes, I believe he could, but he won’t be able to cure all of your problems.” According to reports, Edmonton has been hesitant to make a trade because it doesn’t want to give up too much. However, if a postseason spot becomes more elusive, the Oilers might have to take action quickly.
When discussing the New Jersey Devils’ goaltending struggles, Larry Brooks of the New York Post also mentioned Gibson. “Though the 30-year-old goalie will have three years remaining at an annual $6.4 million cap hit following this season, [Devils general manager] Tom Fitzgerald may be interested in John Gibson’s return to form with the fun-loving Ducks. Connor Hellebuyck [of the Winnipeg Jets] is off the table” (from “Rangers’ Artemi Panarin marching toward Hart Trophy after fast start,’ New York Post, Nov. 11, 2023).
Lukas Dostal, who has made eight starts as opposed to Gibson’s eleven, has been mixed in by Anaheim in an attempt to keep Gibson fresher. After posting a.920 SV% in his first six games, Dostal has struggled in his last two games. Should he recover and the Ducks receive the ideal trade proposal for Gibson, a deal might finally be imminent.
Zegras Joins Drysdale in Injury Limbo
Due to a lower-body injury, Trevor Zegras hasn’t appeared in a game since Nov. 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jamie Drysdale’s lower-body problem has kept him out of the starting lineup since October 15. There is no indication when either player will return from their injured reserve status.
Head coach Greg Cronin informed the media on November 17 that Zegras and Drysdale’s recovery periods are “very tricky, so you’ve got to be patient.” The bench boss raised the idea that after showing up late for training camp because of their contract disputes, both players might have overexerted themselves.
That may just be coincidence—injuries can occur at any time, no matter how cautious you think you are—but Cronin raises an important point regarding the distinction between independent exercise and puck battles in competitive settings. “Zegras’s thing probably mirrors what happened with Jamie, that area from your knees to your chest, and that’s probably what happened without [trying to be] a doctor or a trainer.” When you’re fighting people, a lot of pressure is placed on that core area, which is where you’re doing a lot of work.
In the OHL, Ducks’ Pitre and Terrance are outstanding
After generating five goals and one assist in three games, Coulson Pitre was a candidate for the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Player of the Week award for the period ending on November 19. Playing for the Flint Firebirds, the 18-year-old winger lit the lamp in every game and scored a hat trick in a 7-4 victory over the London Knights on November 17. After 19 games this season, he already has 12 goals and 20 points. He was chosen by the Ducks in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, 65th overall.
This campaign, Carey Terrance of the Erie Otters is also off to a terrific start. Over the course of 21 games, he has 16 goals and 26 points. In the second round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Anaheim selected the 18-year-old center with the 59th overall pick.
Ducks Look to Get Back on Track
The Ducks’ collective message after Sunday, Nov. 19, 3-1 loss to the Blues, was that the team needed to improve offensively. Cronin remarked, “We don’t shoot the puck enough.” I basically say this after every game: there are chances for us to shoot it. We need to stop making lateral passes and try to create rebounding opportunities instead of trying to make our team into a shot volume team (from “Ducks fall 3-1 to Blues, lose third consecutive game,” The Sporting Tribune, Nov. 19, 2023). Although Anaheim has recently developed some bad habits, every game serves as a teaching moment.