Previewing the Predators Matchup and Grading the Drysdale-Gauthier Trade
The Ducks begin a long road trip in need of a win. Plus, a rewind to 2007 to celebrate the Ducks' triumph over the Red Wings, and a look at Frank Vatrano's NHL All-Star nomination.
Welcome to the THW Anaheim Ducks Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Ducks writers.
In today’s edition, we preview tonight’s matchup with the Nashville Predators, provide trade grades in the Drysdale-Gauthier swap, look back a Lukas Dostal’s record performance against the Maple Leafs, and more.
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Ducks Visit Predators in First Game Without Drysdale
January 9, 2024 by Jordan Reinhardt
Following an eight-game home stand during which they went a brutal 1-6-1 and scored a paltry 13 goals, the Anaheim Ducks begin a six-game road trip tonight (Jan. 9) against playoff contender Nashville Predators.
The Ducks narrowly escaped their first encounter with the Predators with a 3-2 victory back on Nov. 14. On the heels of a major trade that included perceived franchise cornerstone Jamie Drysdale, previewing this game feels awkward, but let’s give it our best shot by looking at storylines, personnel, and tactics.
Grading Ducks’ Shocking Trade for Cutter Gauthier
January 9, 2024 by Alex Chauvancy
We have one of our first major trades of the 2023-24 season, but it was quite a surprise that not many saw coming. Before the puck dropped on games for Jan. 8, the Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks made a shocking trade that sent top Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier to the Ducks.Â
Going to Philadelphia was Jamie Drysdale, a former top-10 pick of the Ducks at the 2020 draft, and a second-round draft choice. Let’s grade and analyze each side of one of the more shocking trades in recent seasons.Â
Ducks-Red Wings Rewind: 2007 Western Conference Final
January 7, 2024 by Jordan Reinhardt
In the spirit of tonight’s regular season matchup with the Detroit Red Wings, during which the Anaheim Ducks will celebrate their early- to mid-2000s history, it seems fitting to recall one of the most memorable moments between the two franchises: the 2007 Western Conference Final. The Ducks emerged victorious after a physical back-and-forth chess match between historically elite rosters, and it was one to remember. Let’s rewind the clocks back to 2007.
Ducks: Appreciating Dostál’s Record Night Against Maple Leafs
January 6, 2024 by Jordan Reinhardt
In 65 minutes of hockey against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday (Jan. 3), the Anaheim Ducks were outshot 57-28 in a 2-1 overtime loss. Yes, you read that right. The Maple Leafs had 57 shots on goal. That’s a record this season. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares, Morgan Reilly – the Big Five, as it were – who Maple Leafs management has gone all-in on, accounted for 39 of those shots, and some combination of them factored into each goal.
Ducks goaltender Lukáš Dostál is the sole reason the Ducks weren’t laughed off their own ice. His record-setting 55-save performance was nothing short of spectacular. Let’s put it into perspective. Â
Ducks Prospects Have Disappointing 2024 World Juniors
January 5, 2024 by Corey Abbott
The Anaheim Ducks witnessed the tremendous upside of cornerstone talents like Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish star on the World Junior Championship stage in recent years. Zegras was outstanding at the tournament in 2021, topping all skaters with 11 assists and 18 points in seven games. He helped lead the United States to a gold-medal triumph and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
McTavish, who is having a superb sophomore season in the NHL, followed suit in 2022, pacing all scorers with eight goals and 17 points over seven games to help Canada win gold. He also claimed the MVP honor and was tabbed as the Best Forward of the tournament. Olen Zellweger’s performance in 2022 is worth highlighting as well. He generated a tournament-high nine helpers and led all blueliners with 11 points.
The Ducks’ 2024 WJC class didn’t come close to making the same impact. The players chosen to compete in the tournament had largely forgettable showings because of injury, illness, struggles on the ice, and some disappointing team results.
Ducks’ Frank Vatrano Named 2024 NHL All-Star
January 4, 2024 by Charlie Hiller
Anaheim Ducks forward Frank Vatrano will be headed to Toronto in early February as part of the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. This is the first time the 29-year-old Vatrano has been invited to the midseason exhibition. He was one of 32 players announced to the All-Star Game, with each team having one player represented.
Vatrano is having a career year, leading the Ducks in goals (18) and points (27). He started the season on fire with 11 goals in his first 14 games, but he struggled through most of December with a nine-game goal drought. He’s recently rediscovered his scoring touch, notching four goals in the last five games. He’s one of six players to record multiple hat tricks this season.