In the sweltering heart of summer, as hockey fans celebrated Canada Day or prepped for Independence Day barbecues, Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek was already deep in the trenches, reshaping his roster for a pivotal 2025–26 campaign. The July 1 NHL free agency deadline brought a flurry of deals across the league, but few clubs were more active or more deliberate than the Ducks.
The Anaheim Ducks 2025 NHL Free Agency Deadline
The moves signaled a major philosophical shift. That shift being that Anaheim is done with being merely developmental. They’re aiming to compete. Verbeek’s additions of seasoned veterans Mikael Granlund and Chris Kreider, the exit of longtime netminder John Gibson, and some lower-profile roster management moves show that Anaheim is laying bricks for something real. It’s no longer about potential, it’s now about progress.
The Zegras Trade was a Major Shift in Philosophy
Just ahead of NHL free agency deadline, the Ducks traded Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-rounder. Once considered a franchise cornerstone, Zegras battled injuries last season and finished with 32 points in 57 games.
The move reflected a larger shift in Anaheim’s direction. Zegras’ high-skill, freewheeling game no longer aligned with the structured, team-first style the Ducks are building under GM Pat Verbeek and coach Joel Quenneville.
Poehling brings reliable two-way depth, while the draft picks offer future flexibility. More importantly, the trade cleared both cap space and a roster spot for Anaheim to reshape its forward group around players who better fit its evolving identity.
The timing made the Ducks’ July 1 additions of Mikael Granlund and Chris Kreider feel like part of a deliberate plan not just to compete, but to redefine what Ducks hockey looks like moving forward.
Granlund Brings Structure and Smarts
The Ducks made one of the earliest splashes on the July 1 NHL free agency deadline by signing veteran centre Mikael Granlund to a three-year contract worth $21 million. At 33, Granlund may not be a long-term piece, but in the short term, he offers something Anaheim has lacked. He offers two-way stability down the middle and consistent production under pressure.
Granlund finished the 2024–25 season with 66 points in 83 combined games between San Jose and Dallas, including a quietly effective playoff run with the Stars (10 points in 17 games). Known league-wide for his hockey IQ and ability to settle a shift in the offensive zone, Granlund isn’t flashy but he’s exactly the kind of player who elevates a young team learning how to win.
Granlund is projected to anchor the second line, likely centring Leo Carlsson and Frank Vatrano, forming a unit that can produce offensively while taking on tough defensive assignments.
Chris Kreider the Veteran Power with Playoff Pedigree
Just weeks before free agency, the Ducks pulled off a high-profile trade, acquiring Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers in exchange for 2023 second-round pick Carey Terrance and a future third-round selection. Kreider, 34, still has plenty of tread on his tires and brings 275 career goals and nearly 1,000 games of NHL experience into the room.
Kreider immediately becomes the team’s most established goal-scorer and, arguably, its vocal leader. His power-play acumen, net-front presence, and playoff résumé will be invaluable as Anaheim tries to crawl out of the Pacific Division basement.
Here’s what the top six looks like after these additions:
| LW | C | RW |
| Chris Kreider | Ryan Strome | Cutter Gauthier |
| Frank Vatrano | Mikael Granlund | Leo Carlsson |
This group offers a dynamic blend of speed, grit, creativity, and finishing ability. For the first time in years, Anaheim’s top six doesn’t feel like a trial run it feels like a lineup built to win hockey games today.
Saying Goodbye to John Gibson
The most emotional move of the offseason came a few days before July 1, when the Ducks traded longtime goaltender John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for veteran backup Petr Mrazek and two mid-round picks.
Gibson’s departure ends an era. Since debuting in 2014, Gibson had been the face of the Ducks’ post-Getzlaf era, often standing on his head behind shaky defensive corps. But after multiple seasons of declining numbers and persistent trade rumours, both sides agreed it was time for a fresh start.
For Anaheim, the move clears the crease for 24-year-old Lukas Dostal, who has impressed in limited action. The addition of Mrazek provides a safety net but make no mistake this is Dostal’s crease now.
Other Departures and Depth Chart Shuffling
Not all departures came with headlines. Isac Lundeström, a solid bottom-six centre and penalty killer, was not tendered a qualifying offer and entered unrestricted free agency. His loss will be felt on the PK, but Anaheim seems confident in its youth pipeline.
Let’s take a high-level look at what’s changed:
| Category | Before Free Agency | After July 1 Deadline |
| Top-Six Forwards | Zegras, Gauthier, Strome | Kreider, Gauthier, Strome |
| Secondary C | Lundeström, Carlsson | Granlund, Carlsson |
| Goaltending | Gibson / Dostal | Dostal / Mrazek |
| Leadership | Gudas (C), no clear 2nd | Gudas, Kreider, Granlund |
The Quenneville Factor
Another critical variable in all of this is behind the bench. After years of instability at the coaching position, the Ducks made waves by hiring three-time Stanley Cup winner Joel Quenneville. His presence alone changes the trajectory of the franchise.
Quenneville has long been praised for his ability to build structured, disciplined teams that maximize talent. His system isn’t easy to play in but it wins. Kreider and Granlund are both players who thrive in that kind of environment, which likely played into Verbeek’s free-agent strategy.
Expect Anaheim to play faster, more physical, and more connected this season. The days of disorganized zone entries and fire drill defensive shifts are numbered.
Are the Ducks Better?
In short, yes. Tangibly, measurably, and meaningfully better. They added two proven top-six players. They promoted a promising young goaltender. They swapped out redundancy for structure and experience. And they did so without sacrificing long-term flexibility or mortgaging future first-rounders.
This isn’t a Cup contender yet but it’s a playoff hopeful. Still, the moves aren’t without risk. Kreider and Granlund are both north of 30. Mrazek has been injury-prone. And Dostal, while promising, is largely untested over a full NHL season. If even one of these gambles falters, the team’s progress could stall.
What Still Needs Work?
Though the forward group looks largely set, Anaheim’s blueline remains a work in progress. Radko Gudas provides leadership and bite, but the Ducks still lack a true No. 1 defenceman. Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger are promising but need time to mature. Expect Anaheim to explore a depth signing or two on the back end before camp begins.
Additionally, the team’s power play ranked 29th in the league last season needs a revamp. Kreider’s net-front ability should help, and Granlund adds vision, but Anaheim needs to elevate its puck movement and offensive-zone entries if it wants to close the gap on the West’s elite.
The Youth Movement Isn’t Over
What’s impressive about Anaheim’s approach is that it balances urgency with patience. Despite these veteran acquisitions, the Ducks haven’t blocked their top prospects from meaningful minutes. Carlsson remains a key centrepiece. Cutter Gauthier is still tracking toward stardom. Pavel Mintyukov and Tyson Hinds will get every chance to make the team out of camp.
In fact, the leadership core of Kreider, Granlund, and Gudas seems purpose-built to support the youth not to steal their ice time. This isn’t a win-now move it’s a win-soon blueprint.
Final Verdict: A Statement of Intent
Pat Verbeek entered this summer under pressure. The Ducks had talent, cap space, and a generational coach. The question was whether they’d use those assets to shift from rebuilding to rebooting. The answer came on July 1 NHL free agency deadline.
Anaheim didn’t chase the flashiest names on the market. Instead, they opted for purpose-built pieces players with track records, work ethic, and postseason experience. They addressed weaknesses, clarified roles, and opened the door to meaningful internal growth. Now they need to sign McTavish and Dostal or the summer could end up turning from success to disappointment. For the first time in nearly a decade, the Ducks look like a team with direction, identity, and ambition. And in the NHL, that’s where every real rebuild ends and where contention begins.
Main Photo Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
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