The Anaheim Ducks begin the 2026–27 NHL season with a noticeably younger and leaner roster after an active offseason that included trades, free-agent departures and a handful of low-cost signings. The club’s front office prioritized youth, draft capital and salary-cap flexibility, moves that could limit veteran leadership but boost long-term upside.
Big-picture changes
General manager decisions this summer removed several experienced pieces while preserving the franchise’s most important young players. The Ducks re-committed to their cornerstone forwards and blue-liners, then supplemented the roster with shorter, value-driven contracts aimed at providing depth rather than star power.
| Category | Notable names |
|---|---|
| Additions | A.J. Greer, Nick Jensen, Laurent Brossoit, Jeff Malott, James Hamblin, Travis Mitchell, Jett Woo, Corey Schueneman |
| Departures | John Carlson, Mason McTavish, Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, Olen Zellweger, Petr Mrazek |
How the roster was re-tooled
On the assets-in side, Anaheim acquired A.J. Greer in a trade with Florida and immediately signed him to a four-year contract. The club also added veteran right-shot defenseman Nick Jensen on a two-year deal and brought in goaltender Laurent Brossoit on a one-year pact to serve as a veteran backup behind Lukas Dostal.
Additional low-cost signings were largely designed to populate the NHL–AHL bubble: forwards Jeff Malott (three years), James Hamblin (two years) and Travis Mitchell (one-year, two-way), plus defensemen Jett Woo (two years) and Corey Schueneman (two years).
Veteran departures and draft capital
Several established players left Anaheim this offseason. Long-range shot and power-play presence John Carlson was traded to Carolina then signed with Tampa Bay. Top-six center Mason McTavish was traded to St. Louis in exchange for the 15th and 29th overall picks in the 2026 draft. Physical defenseman Radko Gudas was dealt to Florida as part of the Greer transaction. Jacob Trouba departed in free agency for San Jose, while Olen Zellweger was traded to Buffalo for prospect Anton Wahlberg and a second-round pick. Goaltender Petr Mrazek also left in free agency.
- Youth focus: The trades and departures significantly reduce veteran depth on the blue line and among forwards.
- Cap and picks: The moves free salary-cap space and added draft selections, signaling a longer-term construction strategy.
- Experience added: Short-term signings provide a mix of veteran stability and AHL-level competition for roster spots.
Core retained, but questions remain
Despite the turnover, Anaheim secured the long-term futures of its most important young players. The team re-signed franchise center Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $90 million offer sheet that was matched by Philadelphia, keeping him in Anaheim. Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov also signed a five-year deal. Forward Cutter Gauthier had not completed his contract at the time of the transactions but is expected to be an integral piece once finalized.
With the core intact, the Ducks’ season outlook depends heavily on internal development. Management trimmed veteran minutes and bodies, banking on improvement from Carlsson, Gauthier and Mintyukov and hoping that additions such as Greer and Jensen can supplement rather than replace leadership roles.
The result is a team that projects as a younger contender with upside but limited margin for error. Anaheim was a bubble club last season; repeating or improving on that standing will require accelerated growth from its youngsters and reliable depth scoring and defense from the cheaper signings.
Fans in Anaheim and across Orange County should expect a season shaped by experimentation, ice-time for prospects and a continued emphasis on building a sustainable core while preserving flexibility for future moves.
