By Peter O'Hanraha-Hanrahan
 

The Anaheim Ducks have made a bold statement this offseason, signaling their intent to return to playoff contention. In a year marked by substantial roster changes, the team has opted not to rebuild through the draft, but rather to capitalize on unique opportunities in the trade and free-agent markets. I sat down with Ducks GM Mark Elstob to discuss the team's clear and deliberate strategy.
 

“Our primary goal is to make the playoffs,” Elstob told me. “This offseason was unlike anything I’ve seen before. We had a lot of cap space to work with, and several players in the same age range became available for reasonable asks. Once one piece fell into place, it seemed like everything started clicking. 

Instead of rebuilding, we felt we could trade our way into contention.”


With a flurry of new faces coming in, the Ducks are betting on professionalism and a competitive environment to fuel their success. Elstob emphasized that a strong work ethic and high standards are central to the team’s approach this year. “The number one thing we’re looking for in these deals is professionalism. We want players who are dedicated to their craft, who understand what it takes to compete at this level. The roster is wide open—18 spots, and the minutes that come with them, are up for grabs. We expect that to breed competition, and competition is something we can use to our advantage.”
 

One key acquisition is veteran forward O. Vilkman, who Elstob expects to play a critical role on and off the ice. “Vilkman’s been around a long time, and he brings a play style that speaks volumes without saying much. His leadership is quiet but impactful. He’ll set the tone for us, not just in terms of his on-ice contributions, but in shaping the culture of the team. He’ll be integral to our success moving forward.”
 

The Ducks are also pinning hopes on their younger players, such as Wainman, Carvalho, and Yavorskiy, all of whom are expected to push for spots on the opening-night roster. Elstob sees plenty of promise in these prospects. “Honestly, they’re carrying themselves like veterans already. They’re responsible, focused, and their maturity has been impressive. They’ll lean on the vets, like Vilkman, but they’re ready to step up and contribute right away.”
 

As for how quickly this revamped roster can come together, Elstob acknowledged that there will be some growing pains. “There’s a mix of youth and experience here, and it’ll take time for everyone to gel. But with the tools we’ve acquired and the mindset we’re fostering, I’m confident we’ll be competitive. We have a lot of potential.”
 

The Ducks' offseason moves have set the stage for an intriguing season ahead. With a more competitive atmosphere and an influx of talent, they appear primed to make a serious push for the playoffs. But there’s more to uncover about this new-look roster—stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive deeper into the impact of the Ducks' trades, their leadership strategy on the ice, and the expectations for this exciting season.

by Peter O'Hanraha-Hanrahan


Q: The Ducks have seen a drop in playoff appearances over the past four seasons after years of consistent success. What specific steps do you plan to take to return the team to being a perennial playoff contender?

Mark Elstob: We have been left bereft of a prospective talent pool and consistent performances from top-end guys; the support hasn't been there for our most talented players, and the easiest way that shows itself is in the spending; we aren't anywhere near cap but also not seemingly purposefully rebuilding either. There is enough talent to build around in the short term, so we will see how it pans out. Without revealing anything specific, with some of the moves and calls we have been making, I expect us to be making a more serious playoff push this year.
 

Q: While the Ducks have been recognised for their talent, it seems that performance hasn’t translated to consistent postseason success. How do you plan to address this disconnect between talent and results?

ME: We need to get an identity and stick with it. People within the organisation have been trying to be too clever or too cute to try and save a bit of cash, and it hasn't panned out the way they wanted it to; spending money won't fix everything, but an assurance from me to the coaching staff to make things as simple as they need to for this group and then build outward. Let our scorers try to score, guys who can skate, skate and guys who can defend, defend. You start by going back to basics.
 

Q: Player development and team culture often play significant roles in long-term success. What changes, if any, would you make to ensure the Ducks’ young talent develops into impactful players, and how would you define the team culture you want to build?

 

ME: We want a team that recognises that the name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back. We aren't the new kids on the block anymore, and the guys who are on this team weren't even born when this organisation started out. It is a proud organisation with a cup win this century behind it, it is a privilege to play here and that is what the players will understand above all else when they sign here.
 

Q: The Ducks' fanbase has grown accustomed to high expectations and success, but the recent struggles have been frustrating for many. What’s your message to the fans about your vision for the future, and how do you plan to restore their confidence in the franchise?

 

ME: The fans are, rightfully, aggrieved, I refer to my previous answers, we want to build a team that has pride in the jersey it wears and plays in such a way that the fans have pride in them. We have a proud history to lean on, but we have to make sure the fans are equally as excited about our future as they are proud of our past. Conversations are being had right now that we can't be specific about, but the results of those conversations and subsequent announcements should let the fans know that we aren't here to make up the numbers this year.

The Milwaukee Lagers are coming off a season in which they exceeded even their own expectations by making the NHL playoffs.  They had 4 1st Round Picks heading into the 2039 Draft.  They decided to use two of them to acquire offensive D-man Brendan MacKinnon from the Pittsburgh Penguins.  This feels a major need of a D that can help jumpstart the Power Play and drive more offense as a whole.  And as an excellent skater he's not a liability in his own end.  At only 23 years old and signed to a reasonable contract at $5M average annual value, he figures to be a big part of this Lagers core moving forward.  Lagers still have 18th and 32nd overall to add some much-needed talent in the pipeline.  We'll see if they hold on to those or make another move to shake things up.

We are 43 games into the 2038/2039 PSHL season and Silas Everett has been scoring goals on demand for a Utah team who has looked....better...??? This season. Perhaps better is a strong word for a team that looks to finish even with results froma  season prior. However, this season feels hopeful with a team being driven currently by the teams youth core. Young veterans like Preston Califf and Kiril Nomerovsky, as well as newly minted team captain Silas Everett. All this, despite averaging 30 minutes less ice time a night, our boy is learning cost effectiveness and we love it! Everett has 12 goals in his last 11 games played. This outburst has catapulted him to 4th in league scoring. With the league leader sitting 10 goals ahead, we don't think a scoring title is in the cards for this season, but if he remains consistent he could joint he 50 goal club in his 4th PSHL season.

Another month has come and gone in the PSHL season. The Anaheim Ducks sit 5th in the Pacific Division, 23 points behind the leading San Jose Sharks and 4 points behind wildcard Milwaukee Lagers.

The Ducks only won four games during November after starting the month 2-2. They ended the month on a four-game losing streak.

 

Roster Moves: The Ducks brought back popular center/left winger OLIN CIGNAC. Last season, across 64 games, CIGNAC had 22 goals, 28 assists, and 50 points. The Ducks also added restricted free agent RW KYLER GRAY on November 30th. GRAY is 23 years old and can play both right-wing and center, but due to his face-off rating, he is expected to play on the wing only. Last season in 76 games for the Abbotsford Canucks, Gray had 19 goals & 28 assists.

 

Who’s Hot:

RW MICHAEL DEASLEY – DEASLEY has played in every game this season but it took until the month of November for him to make score a goal and he’d end the game with 4 goals and 0 assits in the 15 games palyed. He also accumulated 18 penalty minutes while being -9 in plus/minus.

 

RD CAMDEN IANNI -  Only one goal scored for IANNI in the 15 games but his 8 assists and 9 points. He also finished with a plus/minus of -7.


RW SHANE WRIGHT – The 34 year old winger continues to lead the Ducks month after month. He finished with a stat line of 3 goals (2nd for November), 5 assists (3rd) for 8 points (tied for 2nd). He also ranks fourth for the month in plus-minus at -4.

 

Who’s Not:

LW RHETT MCGOVERN – The 25 year old has had a month to forget and for the most part a whole season to forget. MCGOVERN appeared in all 15 games in November but put up a 0|0|0 stat line with a plus/minus of -10.

 

RD CONNOR BALL – There’s no much to say about BALL other than he has the worst plus/minus of everyone on the team at -13. He finished November with 0 goals & 1 assist. BALL has been paired with BRANDON SHORT on the 2nd line but it may be time to change that.

 

G ELIJAH RILEY – This is probably more offense not scoring more but RILEY accumulated a 3-9-0 record in November with a .901 save percentage and 3.81 GAA.