Derek Lee and Patrick Present discuss the next steps the young stars on the Ducks roster need to take NHL rookie camps, training camps, and preseason are mere weeks away, and the page will be turned on the seemingly endless offseason of 2024. The Anaheim Ducks are in the midst of the NHL's fourth-longest playoff drought (Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators), having missed the playoffs and been among the bottom ten teams of the NHL standings for six straight seasons. Ducks’ Zegras learned lots of lessons in tough 2023-24 season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/editorials/ducks-zegras-learned-lots-of-lessons-in-tough-2023-24-season] Like many teams at the bottom of the NHL standings in 2023-24, their goal for 2024-25 is to make significant strides toward contention and play more meaningful hockey later in the season. To achieve that goal, several roster players, young and veteran, along with the coaching staff will have to raise some eyebrows, turn some heads, and possibly even emerge as NHL Awards candidates. HART TROPHY The Hart Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player voted most valuable to their team. The favorites to win the 2025 Hart Trophy are unsurprisingly Connor McDavid (+175), Nathan MacKinnon (+550), and Auston Matthews (+1000). Ducks’ Mintyukov shows off new practice jersey [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-mintyukov-shows-off-new-practice-jersey] When a goaltender isn't nominated, Hart nominees are typically among the league leaders in points during a given NHL season. In 2023-24, the three finalists were Connor McDavid (132 points), Nikita Kucherov (144 points), and eventual winner Nathan MacKinnon (140 points). Two Anaheim Ducks players are eligible for wagers to win the 2025 Hart Memorial Trophy, according to BetMGM [https://sports.az.betmgm.com/en/sports/hockey-12/betting/usa-9/nhl-34]: TREVOR ZEGRAS (+30000) Given the perceived criteria, it's understandable that Zegras (23) has the greatest odds among Ducks roster players to win the Hart. As the roster is currently constructed, he has the highest production potential for the upcoming season. His blend of elite offensive skill and hockey IQ allow him the ability to diagnose and bend opposing defensive structures to his will. His critical decision-making and execution have already translated to the NHL level and he'll look to take the next step in his development in 2024-25. He scored over 60 points in his first two full seasons in the NHL before injuries severely limited his offensive output in 2023-24. In 211 career games over four seasons in the NHL, Zegras has totaled 55 goals and 99 assists. His 154 points remain fourth-most among players selected in the 2019 NHL Draft. Ducks’ promotional schedule will fuel speculation [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-promotional-schedule-will-fuel-speculation] If the Ducks do turn the corner on their rebuild and sneak into a playoff spot, Zegras would likely have provided significant contributions to that outcome. It's an incredibly tall task, but to even be nominated for the Hart, he'd likely have to double the production of his best season (2022-23), where he scored 65 points in 81 games. The list of players with the same odds as Zegras (+30000) to win the Hart Trophy includes names like Filip Forsberg, Clayton Keller, Alex Ovechkin, and 21 others. CUTTER GAUTHIER (+50000) Only six rookies in the 101-year history of the Hart Memorial Trophy have ever been nominated. The winners include Nels Stewart in 1926 and Herb Gardiner in 1927. Wayne Gretzky won the Hart in his first NHL season (1979-80) but wasn't considered a rookie. For Gauthier (20) to win the Hart Trophy he'd have to deliver one of the greatest rookie seasons in NHL history, if not the unquestioned greatest. Gauthier was a Hobey Baker finalist in his sophomore season (2023-24) at Boston College and scored the most goals (38) in an NCAA season in nearly 20 years. Cutter Gauthier to Participate in NHLPA Rookie Showcase [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/cutter-gauthier-to-participate-in-nhlpa-rookie-showcase] Before stepping on the ice for his second career NHL game, he already has one of the league's premier shots and has yet to find an angle he didn't think he could score from. He's unlikely to ever hit the point total necessary to be considered for a Hart Trophy in his career, so his likeliest path to that outcome lies in his goal-scoring ability. Even then, he'd likely have to eclipse Teemu Selanne's rookie record of 76 goals in 1992-93 while leading the Ducks to a playoff birth to potentially be considered for a Hart nomination in the upcoming NHL season. The list of players, like Gauthier, with the longest odds (+50000) to with the Hart Trophy includes names like Lucas Raymond, Evgeni Malkin, Quinton Byfield, and 23 others. Ducks Potential PTO Candidate: Max Pacioretty [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-potential-pto-candidate-max-pacioretty] Ducks Potential PTO Candidate: Tyler Johnson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-potential-pto-candidate-tyler-johnson]
