With the offseason content at a true lull through the dog days of summer, which we the hockey world just call August, I am going to take some time to look around the league and share my two cents on what else has happened.
The Anaheim Ducks really concern me coming into 2026-2027 due to pettiness and their lack of preparation from it. Cutter Gauthier remains unsigned, and they may have to deal at least one of Mikael Granlund, Chris Kreider, Alex Killorn, or Frank Vatrano to afford their young overpaid talent that only won one playoff round in their careers.
Absolute brutal mismanagement by Verbeek to have his defense core implode and lose his offensive depth due to poor due diligence. Anticipate value early, convince loyalty, tradition, and treatment.
This is by far the least improved team from last season to this season. The entire right side of the defense core including John Carlsson, Jacob Trouba, and Radko Gudas. They at least recovered their grit with AJ Greer via a sign and trade.
Cutter Gauthier — Leo Carlsson — Beckett Sennecke
Chris Kreider — Mikael Granlund — Troy Terry
Alex Killorn — Ryan Poehling — Frank Vatrano
Jeff Malott — Tim Washe — AJ Greer
Roger McQueen
Jackson LaCombe — Drew Helleson
Pavel Mintyukov — Nick Jensen
Tyson Hinds — Ian Moore
Jet Woo
Lukas Dostal
Ville Husso
Laurent Brossoit
Pros — Another year older with postseason experience under the supervision of Quenneville may harden this roster for a deeper run. Coach Q worked with worse defense at the end of his tenure in Chicago. Terry is still a shootout stud, and Kreider can still have fun around the youth.
Cons — the defense is still a question and can Vatrano actually rebound after a horrible previous season? Can they also be the best team in California? One of them will have to earn the third and final Pacific Division spot to make playoffs.
Hope — Dostal wins the Veznia and Carlsson has 100+ points to carry this franchise deep.