The Anaheim Ducks’ bright future may be closer than expected. With one of the deeper prospect pools in the NHL, they were well-represented in the 2022 World Junior Championship (WJC). Included in this group are three players from the gold-medal Canadian team, Mason McTavish, Olen Zellweger, and Nathan Gaucher. Both McTavish and Zellweger had an incredible run during the tournament. Zellweger led all defensemen in scoring with 11 points in Team Canada’s seven games. McTavish was practically unstoppable, scoring 17 points en route to being named the tournament’s MVP. Both of these stellar tournaments come on the heels of equally impressive seasons in their junior leagues.
With another rebuilding year on the horizon, the Ducks’ top-two picks from the 2021 Entry Draft should get a chance to make the NHL roster. With plenty of youth and inexperience throughout the Ducks’ lineup, there should be room on the roster for McTavish and Zellweger to win a spot in training camp and grow into NHL players as opposed to returning to their junior leagues for another year.
Ducks’ Left Side is Already Unproven
One of the more significant roster issues facing the Ducks this season is the left side of the defense. After Cam Fowler, there are no clear-cut roster locks. Simon Benoit and Urho Vaakanainen will go into camp as the incumbents, albeit with just over 100 combined games of NHL experience between the two of them. There will inevitably be growing pains no matter who makes the team, so Zellweger, who will turn 19 before this season, should have a chance to show his upside.