The 2025-26 season is now around the corner after a long offseason. The Anaheim Ducks have lofty goals and one major piece of business left on the table to take care of: Mason McTavish’s contract extension.
The team has a wide array of potential outcomes and will rely on several “ifs” and “buts” to reach their full potential. Every roster player will be faced with at least one burning question heading into this pivotal year for the Ducks franchise.
How Much the Ducks are Projected to Improve in 2025-26 Standings
Report: Anaheim Ducks “Not Crazy on a Bridge Deal” for Mason McTavish, Prefer Long-Term Extension
So, let’s ask some of those questions, starting with the forwards:
Inspiration for this article was borrowed from The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz
Leo Carlsson: Can he dominate consistently?
From today moving forward, the Ducks will go as far as Leo Carlsson can take them. He is the unequivocal franchise player in Anaheim, has all the tools to become a top-five player in the NHL, and has shown flashes of what could make him truly special in his first two NHL seasons. The next step on his road to superstardom will be to become the Ducks’ best player night in and night out, singlehandedly dictating outcomes.
Sam Colangelo: Can he play a fourth-line role?
When healthy and with the addition of Mikael Granlund this offseason, the Ducks have a suddenly crowded top-nine forward group. Colangelo’s last 20-game NHL stint last season saw him score nine of his ten goals, a 37-goal pace, while receiving middle-six minutes and very limited power play time. He’ll have to provide enough energy, forechecking disruption, and defensive prowess to remain in the nightly lineup as a fourth liner, and if/when the time comes to return to the top-nine, he’ll need to continue that torrid pace from the end of last year.
Cutter Gauthier: Can he solidify himself as an elite U25 sniper?
Very few players have the natural scoring ability Gauthier possesses. After a difficult transition and slow start to his rookie season in 2024-25, he managed to hit the 20-goal mark and notched 22 points (10-12=22) in his final 27 games. He already has one of the best releases in the NHL, akin to fellow young goal-scorers like Cole Caufield and Dylan Guenther, but his 6-foot-2, 201-pound frame could offer him a chance to become an elite net front producer as well.
Mikael Granlund: What will be his defensive impact?
One of the Ducks’ biggest needs heading into the offseason was a two-way…