Is the Ducks’ rebuild finally over?

After a 2024-25 campaign that saw the Anaheim Ducks take a massive leap forward, increasing their point total by 21 and finishing with a 35-37-10 record, the NHL’s franchise from Orange County looks to make some noise in the Pacific Division and try to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2017-18.

The team made a number of seismic moves in the offseason, firing head coach Greg Cronin and replacing him with three-time Stanley Cup champion Joel Quenneville; trading for former 50-goal scorer Chris Kreider; locking up both Mason McTavish and Jackson LaCombe to long-term deals and Cutter Gauthier prepares for his second full season in the NHL.

On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton ask the question: is the Ducks’ rebuild finally over?

Tyler Yaremchuk: The Ducks are one of those young teams who are looking to take a step forward this year. Last season was a really good step in the right direction, they saw a 21-point improvement, but still ended up making a coaching change. They don’t need another 21-point increase, they need another 10- or 15-point increase.

Do you think this Ducks team is good enough to do that?

Carter Hutton: I think they are, I think they’re on the cusp of doing it. I like the way (general manager) Pat Verbeek has rebuilt this team, it wasn’t ripped down to the studs. I think in Anaheim, adding some veteran guys with your younger guys to teach you how to be a pro, how to manage the league, how to manage an 82-game season, it goes a long way.

This year, I think the next move for them is Leo Carlsson. What does his contract look like? Can Troy Terry bounce back? Sprinkle in Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, these veteran guys who have been in situations before, and Alex Killorn has won Stanley Cups. So I think there is that factor.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…