A Ducks Midseason Check-in & The Early Return of Leo Carlsson
The Ducks have battled injury after injury through their first 44 games of the season. Despite this, they have a great chance to build confidence and momentum against the Sharks this Saturday.
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In today’s edition, we do a midseason check-in, look at Leo Carlsson’s return and impact in the recent win over the Panthers, provide some news and rumors, and more.
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Ducks’ Midseason Check-in: Progress, Improvement Areas & More
January 18, 2024 by Corey Abbott
The Anaheim Ducks hit the midseason mark with a 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 13. The team sits 29th in the overall standings with a 15-28-1 record through 44 contests; they hold a one-point lead over the Ottawa Senators, who have five games in hand. The Ducks’ six-game winning streak from Oct. 24-Nov. 5 helped build a seven-point cushion on the last-placed San Jose Sharks and a three-point advantage over the Chicago Blackhawks.Â
The rebuilding Ducks were expected to be in the hunt for a lottery pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft rather than competing for a playoff spot this season, so the results have not been surprising. With 2023-24 more than halfway to its conclusion, it’s time to take stock of what the Ducks have accomplished, what needs to change, and what happens next before the organization switches to offseason mode.Â
Carlsson Returns to Lift Shorthanded Ducks Past Panthers
January 16, 2024 by Chase Clemens
Amid the Anaheim Ducks’ longest road trip of the season, rookie Leo Carlsson returned early from an MCL injury to help the Ducks defeat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in overtime on Monday in Sunrise, FL. Anaheim trailed Florida 4-2 late in the second period before scoring three unanswered goals, including Alex Killorn’s game-winner 48 seconds into OT.Â
The win snapped the Ducks’ two-game skid after multi-goal losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday and Saturday.
NHL Rumors: Avalanche, Ducks, Oilers, Canadiens, Flyers
January 12, 2024 by Jim Parsons
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, there is an update on the return status of Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog. Meanwhile, Trevor Zegras has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks because of a broken left ankle. The Edmonton Oilers will likely consider Corey Perry as a UFA signing. Finally, could Sean Monahan be the first NHL Trade Deadline domino to fall this season? Finally, Cutter Gauthier offered a bit more clarity on his exit from the Flyers.
Ducks Strengthen Rebuild by Acquiring Cutter Gauthier
January 10, 2024 by Charlie Hiller
The Anaheim Ducks took part in the first blockbuster trade of the NHL season, shipping Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Cutter Gauthier. News of the trade was shocking to Ducks fans — Drysdale was a former sixth overall pick only four years ago and was seen as a major tent pole for Anaheim’s rebuild. I had him listed as one of Anaheim’s untouchable players in 2024, and he lasted all of eight days into the year.