Adam Proteau's Hot Seat Radar series is back. The Anaheim Ducks are up first, with a goalie in huge need of improving his stock, a veteran forward on the warm seat and an untouchable on the cold seat.

Although we’re smack-dab in the middle of the NHL off-season, the pressure on players throughout hockey’s top league does not completely subside in the summertime. On the contrary, fans now expect NHL players to take maybe two or three weeks off before beginning training for the upcoming season. 

Decades ago, getting in game shape used to mean players quit smoking. Now, players understand their body is an investment opportunity, and they treat themselves as if they should be game-ready at virtually any time.

The competitive spirit of NHLers also leads to considerable pressure on them – and that’s what this THN.com series is all about – in every file, we’ll point out three individuals on each team who are currently seated, in one shape or form, on the hot seat. 

One person in every team file – player, coach, or GM – will be on the hot seat itself, under direct pressure to produce optimal results next year or be on their way out of town. Another player, coach or GM will be on the warm seat – in other words, there’s an outside chance of them ending their time with the team, but a departure isn’t out of the question; and a third player, GM or coach will be on the cold seat, a spot reserved for someone who is untouchable and shouldn’t be moved on from at any cost. However, the team needs to keep whoever's on the cold seat happy for them to stay long-term.

There will usually be three people per team file, but we reserve the right to bump that number up to four per team if called for. Let’s start alphabetically by looking at the Anaheim Ducks.

Ducks’ Hot Seat: John Gibson, G

There have been persistent rumors about Gibson wanting out of Anaheim’s top-to-bottom rebuild, but he has to play well enough to attract interest from teams willing to absorb the 30-year-old netminder’s $6.4-million salary cap hit – that is if Ducks GM Pat Verbeek doesn’t move him before the season kicks off. Gibson is signed through the 2026-27 campaign, but in the right situation, his salary could be a relative bargain for a Stanley Cup contender.

That said, Gibson’s 3.99 goals-against average and .899 save percentage must improve next year. Sure, part of those stats can be blamed on being a rebuilding team's netminder, but even those numbers for that cap hit are causes for concern. 

If Gibson doesn’t get better, we can see him becoming a buyout candidate down the line. But he’s playing behind a new-look Ducks defense that includes free-agent signing Radko Gudas and journeyman Robert Hagg. Anaheim’s forwards aren’t known for being Selke Trophy contenders, either, so Gibson will have to do much of the heavy lifting to pull the Ducks out of the doldrums.

Ducks’ Warm Seat: Adam Henrique, C 

He’s now 33 years old, but Henrique scored 22 times in 62 games last season, and his cap hit of $5.825 million makes him someone to keep an eye on in the mid-season trade market. Henrique is entering the final year of his deal, and as such, he could make for a solid rental for a Cup front-runner if he doesn’t fit Anaheim’s vision for the next few seasons. 

He’s got a modified no-trade clause, but one that only prevents him from being moved to 10 teams of his choosing. In other words, if there’s a deal to be made for him, Verbeek should not hesitate to move Henrique in exchange for prospects and/or draft picks.

In almost five-and-a-half seasons as a Duck, Henrique has generated 117 goals. He’s got lots left in the tank, but it would be wasted on an Anaheim team that will likely miss the playoffs this coming season. Better to move him sooner than later and give his minutes to younger players.

Ducks’ Cold Seat: Trevor Zegras, C

The Ducks’ rebuild has Zegras among its core components. The 22-year-old is coming off his second consecutive season scoring 23 goals and reaching the 61-point plateau. He also posted a team-high 42 assists last year, leaving no doubt about his importance to Anaheim’s blueprint for success. 

Verbeek isn’t trading him – in fact, Zegras needs a brand-new contract. Even as an RFA, he’s bound to get a huge raise on his $925,000 entry-level deal. And long-term, he’s now got 2023 No. 2 pick Leo Carlsson as his teammate. Better days are ahead for the Ducks, and Zegras will be central to them.

With Ducks newcomer Alex Killorn as part of Anaheim’s rejigged power-play unit, Zegras’ point total will likely surge to new heights in 2023-24. And he’s nowhere near his peak. As it stands, the Ducks are his team, and the world is his oyster.