The Anaheim Ducks left the Rookie Faceoff without a win, dropping both of their games - 7-2 to Colorado and 4-1 to Los Angeles. But the scoreboard only tells part of the story. In a tournament like this, the result matters a lot less than how the players handled themselves on the ice, and Anaheim had a few prospects who made sure they stood out for the right reasons.
That’s especially true when you remember how these events can be misleading. Beckett Sennecke had a rough showing at last year’s tournament and still turned it into a strong rookie season that ended with a Calder Trophy nomination. So while the Ducks’ record was ugly, it doesn’t define what comes next for this group.
Against Colorado, Damian Clara got the start and had a tough night, allowing all seven goals. Several of the chances against him were dangerous, though the third goal was one he’d probably want back. It would also have been nice for Anaheim to get a few more big stops out of him along the way.
Even with the final score getting away from them, the Ducks opened that game well. Their first period was the best 20 minutes they played across the two games.
Anaheim controlled the pace, created several quality looks, and actually outplayed Colorado early while still falling into a 3-1 deficit. Ilya Nabokov was the reason that gap didn’t shrink further, as he shut down a number of strong Ducks chances.
Anaheim put nine shots on goal in the period, and Cruz Lucius was the only Duck to beat him, trimming the lead to 2-1.
Noah Kosick also made his presence felt in that game. He had a strong showing on the fourth line and scored an unassisted goal in the second period to pull Anaheim back within two. But after that, Colorado pulled away with two late goals in the second and another in the third.
Lucius was one of Anaheim’s better forwards in the opener, and he looked like a real bright spot among the new faces. The Ducks’ top line of Roger McQueen, Nikita Klepov, and Marcus Nordmark had opportunities too, especially in the first period. Of that group, Klepov was the one who caught my eye the most, though McQueen showed flashes of control when the puck was on his stick.
Defensively, Anaheim had a harder time, and that wasn’t a shock given who was missing. None of Stian Solberg, Tyson Hinds, or Tristan Luneau were in the lineup, and each of them would have made a noticeable difference. Jayden Kurtz was a first-time look for me, and he came away with a solid overall impression.
Anaheim shuffled things for the second game, replacing Noah Read and Alexis Mathieu with Kyle Kukkonen and Jackson Niedermayer. The lines changed too, with Lucas Pettersson moving onto the top unit with McQueen and Klepov, while Kosick was bumped to the third line. Tomas Suchanek started in goal and may have been Anaheim’s best player over the two games.
The Ducks were much better in the opener against Colorado than they were against Los Angeles, and the second game flipped that script. Anaheim came out flat, managed only 10 shots through two periods, and spent far too little time in the offensive zone. The Kings scored once in each of the first two periods to build a 2-0 lead.
Anaheim’s best moment came in the third. Niedermayer had a great chance, but Hampton Sluknynsky came up with the save.
The Ducks recovered the puck, Klepov found Pettersson, and Anaheim finally got on the board. They pushed for the equalizer after that, but Los Angeles answered with two late goals to close it out.
Even with the narrower final margin, Anaheim’s better overall game was the one against Colorado. Still, the third period against Los Angeles was their second-best stretch of hockey in the tournament.
Pettersson earned the only goal for Anaheim and played well on the top line. Klepov was dangerous all game and picked up his first assist of the tournament.
McQueen didn’t score, but he still had plenty of good moments with the puck. Kurtz followed up his first game with another strong performance.
And Niedermayer was the surprise of the day. He’s on an AHL-only deal right now, but if this level holds once the season begins, Anaheim may have to think about giving him an entry-level contract at some point.
The Ducks may be leaving with two losses, but they also left without any major injuries, and that matters more than the record in a rookie tournament. Training camp is next, and all of these players should be there.
With only four preseason games on the schedule, not everyone will get into game action. Some will head back to junior, some will end up with the Gulls, and a few could wind up in an Anaheim uniform this season.
In Other News...
Ducks Face A Cutter Gauthier Contract Clock Fans Cant Ignore
With the NHL and NHL Players Association preparing to roll out their new collective bargaining agreement, contract talks around the league are already being shaped by the coming changes. For Anaheim, that puts Cutter Gauthier in a spotlight the Ducks would rather not have lingering much longer, even as restricted free agent discussions continue across the sport for players such as Adam Fantilli in Columbus and Drake Batherson in Ottawa.
Gauthiers situation carries extra weight because the Ducks are trying to lock in a key piece while the market and the rules around it are shifting underneath everyone. Other RFA situations have moved at different speeds, and Anaheim is still navigating its own path forward as the clock keeps ticking toward a resolution fans know is coming, even if the final terms are not there yet. [Read more 🡒]
Ducks Still Face One Huge Cutter Gauthier Decision
Cutter Gauthier remains in the middle of contract negotiations with the Ducks as a restricted free agent, and the signs around the talks are encouraging. Reports suggest the sides have made substantial progress toward a deal, which would be a timely development for a club that has spent the offseason working through salary cap pressure with trades and other roster moves.
Still, the situation carries a hard deadline that keeps Anaheim from fully exhaling. Gauthier has already turned down one long-term proposal, and the Ducks know the calendar matters almost as much as the cap sheet here, because the longer this stretches, the more complicated the seasons bigger picture becomes for both player and team. [Read more 🡒]
Ducks Cleared A Veteran Scorer And Cutter Gauthier Is Why
The Ducks moved on from Chris Kreider this week in a decision that says as much about their roster picture as it does about the veteran winger himself. Anaheim and Kreider mutually agreed to terminate his contract, opening the door for him to keep his career going elsewhere while the Ducks continue shaping a lineup that has leaned younger and faster.
The timing also adds an interesting layer because Cutter Gauthier is one of the players who helps explain why Anaheim was comfortable making the move. The Ducks have been looking at their forward group through a long-term lens, and Kreiders departure fits that broader direction even as his next stop offers a chance to bring offense and playoff seasoning to a contender's lineup. [Read more 🡒]