The first thn.com/anaheim Summer Survey Series is in the books. This offseason has been the busiest in Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks] general manager Pat Verbeek’s 3.5-year tenure thus far, giving the roster and coaching staff a facelift while implementing a mandate to end the franchise’s elongated rebuild and seven-year playoff drought. Thank you to all who voted in these polls. We love hearing from you, and we find it immensely important to gauge the fanbase's views on key aspects of the team heading into a new season. Votes were tallied both on the thn.com/anaheim site, and on social media platforms (twitter and bluesky). Without further ado, let’s get into the results: HOW WOULD YOU GRADE THE ANAHEIM DUCKS REBRAND? Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/994d9de9-5c18-41a4-b87a-19d08fec4b7b.png] How Would you Grade the Anaheim Ducks Rebrand? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/poll-how-would-you-grade-the-anaheim-ducks-rebrand-1] The Ducks' rebrand is one season in and an unequivocal success, with three-quarters of voters giving it an “A” or “B” grade and zero “D” or “F” votes. Though many have stated their preference for the Mighty Ducks eggplant and jade color scheme, the modernized Mighty Ducks logo, and commitment to putting the “orange” in Orange County seems to have won over the fanbase. HOW WOULD YOU GRADE THE JOB PAT VERBEEK HAS DONE SO FAR? Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/78392c05-c158-484e-990c-3834d5a6e714.png] How Would You Grade the Job Pat Verbeek has Done So Far? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/poll-how-would-you-grade-the-job-gm-pat-verbeek-has-done-so-far] The general patience of the Ducks fanbase is expectedly wearing thin when it comes to their opinions of Verbeek. Lack of success, the influx of expensive veterans in the back half of their careers, and a now-established reputation as a shrewd negotiator when it comes to RFAs hasn’t exactly endeared Verbeek to fans. 81% of voters gave him a “C” grade or below. A high bar has been set for the upcoming season, and reaching it would likely boost those numbers a year from now. WHEN WILL THE ANAHEIM DUCKS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS? Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/6b035d0a-95a0-439e-a7ba-757da962c778.png] When Will the Anaheim Ducks Make the Playoffs? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/poll-when-will-the-anaheim-ducks-make-the-playoffs] Speaking of that high bar, this is it. Making the playoffs this season is the mandate. After a 21-point leap in the standings, a lot has to go right for the Ducks to take another sizable jump to get to the playoff threshold (typically 95 points). Fans are expecting a return of playoff hockey to Honda Center in either April of 2026 or 2027, as that’s where 100% of voters placed their votes. It’s go time. WHO IS THE DUCKS NUMBER ONE DEFENSEMAN OF THE FUTURE? Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/06836502-2e71-4d01-8b5e-0dd8e44c3d80.png] Who is the Ducks Number One Defenseman of the Future? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/poll-who-is-the-anaheim-ducks-number-one-defenseman-of-the-future] Pavel Mintyukov has the draft pedigree and raw two-way talent, but Jackson LaCombe’s breakout 2024-25 season seems to have won over the hearts of Ducks fans. He improved greatly in his sophomore season compared to his rookie year and earned every minute of his team-leading ice time. He’ll have to prove last year wasn’t a fluke, elevate his game even further, and fend off younger hungry players, but he’s given no reason not to believe he’s capable. WAS BECKETT SENNECKE A GOOD PICK AT THIRD OVERALL IN 2024? Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/aaa5369e-f1c2-436a-8438-212bb8f976e5.png] Was Beckett Sennecke a Good Pick at Third Overall in 2024? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/poll-was-beckett-sennecke-a-good-pick-at-third-overall-in-2024] A big swing on a late-rising prospect with one of the highest picks in franchise history when several talented defensemen (Zeev Buium, Sam Dickinson, Zayne Parekh, etc.) and the dazzling consensus No. 2-ranked forward, Ivan Demidov, were still on the board had many scratching their heads on draft night in 2024. However, a year later and with more familiarity, Sennecke has many fans pleased that Verbeek and the Ducks' scouting staff went in the direction they did. The pick was defensible then and is defensible now. Two-thirds of voters are buying into Sennecke as a core piece of the Ducks franchise moving forward. WHICH ANAHEIM DUCKS OFFSEASON ACQUISITION ARE YOU MOST ANTICIPATING? Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3c899c38-0a72-4977-9f12-6a2b0cd548bb.png] Which Anaheim Ducks Offseason Acquisition are You Most Anticipating? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/poll-which-anaheim-ducks-offseason-acquisition-are-you-most-anticipating] Chris Kreider ran away with this one, and it’s an easy sell. His acquisition cost wasn’t high, he’s a year removed from back-to-back-to-back 35-goal seasons, and he hopes to provide the Ducks a consistent and impactful goalscoring presence they’ve been bereft of in recent years. When Trevor Zegras was traded to Philadelphia, Verbeek stated he’s at the stage where he’s looking to find pieces that fit his vision for the direction of his build. Kreider, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, and Petr Mrazek will all be addressing needs in specific roles on the depth chart. WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER EXPECTATIONS FOR LUKAS DOSTAL? Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a67c2d90-024b-4eec-9e8b-a8ac44c2f75c.png] What are Your Career Expectations for Lukas Dostal? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/poll-what-are-your-career-expectations-for-lukas-dostal] The freshly inked and newly crowned starting goaltender in Anaheim is now the tenth-highest-paid goaltender in the NHL. He’s met every challenge thrown at him in his young career and is now set for more consistent and predictable starts than when he was sharing the crease with John Gibson during his first two seasons in the NHL. His game hasn’t shown many, if any, gaps, and he has the talent to be considered among the NHL’s elite in the not-too-distant future. However, voters are understandably apprehensive about predicting him to become a consistent Vezina contender like Igor Shesterkin, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Connor Hellebuyck, and the like. Two-thirds of votors feel "perennial All-Star" is a more achievable expectation. DO YOU AGREE WITH THE DECISION TO HIRE JOEL QUENNEVILLE AS THE ANAHEIM DUCKS HEAD COACH? Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ebd8c52f-5ec3-436b-b067-d8d9f2221f50.png] Do You Agree with the Decision to Hire Joel Quenneville as the Anaheim Ducks Head Coach? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/poll-do-you-agree-with-the-decision-to-hire-joel-quenneville-as-the-anaheim-ducks-head-coach] Backlash was more than understandable and expected, but after an introductory press conference in which Joel Quenneville expressed remorse for his inaction as the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks 15 years ago and arrived with an extensive list of individuals who’ve helped him on his journey of growth, the overwhelming majority of Ducks fans seem completely bought into what he’ll bring to the Anaheim bench. A sparkling resume and an elite staff at his flanks have instilled a sense of unfamiliar hope to the organization. WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR LEO CARLSSON? Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/27851346-a655-4205-bee8-0d6e2e99ed37.png] What are Your Expectations for Leo Carlsson? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/poll-what-are-your-expectations-for-leo-carlsson] From this point and moving forward, the Ducks will go as far as Leo Carlsson can take them. He’s endlessly talented, with the tools and runway to become one of the best players in the NHL. He represents the reason teams bottom out in rebuilds and represents the hardest ingredient to acquire when building a contender. Ducks fans were promised a superstar at the 2023 NHL Draft when they finished at the bottom of the 2022-23 standings, and that remains what nearly 70% of voters are expecting from Carlsson today. WHAT IS THE ANAHEIM DUCKS BIGGEST REMAINING NEED? Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/4b9c23a0-0f38-48b7-804c-58f9964013ff.png] What is the Anaheim Ducks Biggest Remaining Need? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/poll-what-is-the-anaheim-ducks-biggest-remaining-need] The Ducks addressed goalscoring, utility, and penalty killing needs within the forward group in the 2025 offseason, but left the blueline untouched despite yet another poor defensive season. Though a top-line impact winger would be a flashy add and a middle-six two-way center a necessity for championship teams, two-thirds of voters feel the biggest need is on the right side of the blueline. Defense wins championships, and the Ducks could use a true play killer to complement their stable of young puck movers on the backend. Training camp will soon commence, and hockey will be back before we know it. It’s been a long summer, and there’s still business that needs attending to, but this series has been a blast for me, personally, and has been a great way to make the offseason seem less dull. So, thank you for participating and reading. Ducks’ Young Blue Line Could Be Their X-Factor in 2025-26 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-young-blue-line-could-be-their-x-factor-in-2025-26] Reports: Mason McTavish Prefers a Long-Term Contract while Pat Verbeek Prefers a Bridge, where Talks Stand [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/reports-mason-mctavish-prefers-a-long-term-contract-while-pat-verbeek-prefers-a-bridge-where-talks-stand]
