With the Rookie Faceoff Tournament in the rearview mirror and training camp right around the corner, the Anaheim Ducks are quickly gearing up for the 2024-25 season. It may be another down campaign for the rebuilding Ducks, who have failed to make the postseason for a franchise-record six straight seasons. Despite recent history, there’s much to be excited about surrounding the team. They ice one of the youngest rosters in the league, including several high-draft-profile players expected to help turn the franchise around.
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From a scorekeeping standpoint, this may be another bad season for the Ducks. However, Anaheim’s future hinges on a lot more than how many pucks went into the net on any given night. Key players are taking on new roles with added responsibilities, and how they develop from this point determines how effective they’ll be on Anaheim’s roster. Some of these developments will be a surprise as the season unfolds. In that spirit, here are four bold predictions for the upcoming season.
While suggesting the Ducks make the playoffs is definitely a bold prediction, it isn’t exactly likely either. These four predictions are going out on a limb, but not to the point of fantasy.
Cutter Gauthier Wins the Calder
Starting with the boldest prediction of the group and one that comes with hardware. The Ducks have never had a Calder Memorial Trophy winner, which is awarded to the league’s most outstanding rookie. They have, however, come close with Bobby Ryan (2008-09) and Trevor Zegras (2021-22) each finishing second.
Cutter Gauthier is commonly listed as the fourth-most likely Calder winner behind Macklin Celebrini, Matvei Michkov, and Logan Stankoven. Gauthier is a sniper with a knack for finding the back of the net, but standing out among this rookie group is a tall order. Celebrini and Michkov are being heralded as franchise cornerstones, and Stankoven’s 43-game (regular and postseason) sample size last season suggests he’s a legitimate point producer in the NHL.
Gauthier’s chances at the Calder are strengthened by the environment he’s entering. He has very little competition to be a top-line winger, which will pair him with the most talented forwards on Anaheim’s roster. He’ll likely be centered by Leo Carlsson, and Zegras could be feeding him…
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