Should be a much better season for the Ducks-affiliate next year!
Recently, the San Diego Gulls announced their new schedule for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. The Anaheim Ducks AHL affiliate should be fun once again as they take a ton of the Ducks' young talent onto their roster. For the most part, since their arrival in the 2015-2016 season, the Gulls have been a solid team, as they made the playoffs in five of the first six years.
But last season, the Gulls took a nosedive and didn't qualify for the postseason. Like the Ducks in the NHL, San Diego had a hard time competing with the other teams in the AHL. The talent level just wasn't up to par, and they suffered in the standings.
However, the Ducks have so much young talent that a ton of them will see time with the Gulls this coming season. This includes the possibility of the Ducks' first-round selection from this year's draft, Leo Carlsson. The team isn't sure what they will do with Carlsson this year, and he could very well spend time down with the Gulls to gain more experience before going to the big leagues.
If Carlsson does indeed see time with the Gulls, it will benefit the viewers. He is a special talent, and him being on the San Diego roster could greatly benefit the success of the team.
However, even if Carlsson starts the year with the Gulls, he likely will be sent up to join the Ducks at some point. And even if he isn't on the team this year, there are plenty of other players to watch for. The 2023-2024 season will be here before we know it, and the Gulls will be ready to go.