As Anaheim approaches the 2025 offseason, they have $38.69 million in cap space and must spend at least $13.79 million to meet the salary cap floor. Owner Pat Barbiek has been granted authority to invest in the team’s payroll to secure a playoff spot for the 2025-26 season. Apart from contracts extended before July 1st, the 2025 free agent pool features several franchise-altering stars like Mitch Marner and a host of impactful players at various positions on the Ducks’ depth chart.
Currently, the Ducks have contracts signed for 16 players for the 2025-26 season, including five restricted free agents still under team control. The team finished near the bottom in many fundamental stats during the 2024-25 season but made improvements through key upgrades across the lineup. Verbeek has prioritized adding goal-scoring talent, and new head coach Joel Quenneville emphasizes puck possession.
The Ducks are focusing their free agency efforts on three critical areas: top offensive producers, two-way middle-six centers, and a mobile defensive unit. Potential free agent targets in scoring positions include Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Brock Boeser.
Verbeek views goal-scoring as the most pressing need for the 2025-26 Ducks. Defensively, Anaheim allowed 3.18 goals per game last season (10th worst in the NHL), gave up the most shots on goal (32.3 per game), and ranked 29th in penalty killing (74.2%). Improvements in these areas depend on defensive upgrades, especially a reliable center to match up against opposing top lines, win key faceoffs, kill penalties, and add secondary scoring depth.
Michael Granlund, who had one of his best seasons in 2024-25 with 66 points in 83 games, shifted from center to wing after a mid-season trade to Dallas. Granlund is a smart playmaker, strong defensively, and capable of supporting offense from the second or third line. His contract is projected around 2 years at $4.98 million average annual value (AAV).
Pius Suter, now 29, completed his fifth NHL season with career highs in goals (25) and points (46). He played significant roles on penalty kills and second power play units, showing strong 5-on-5 performance despite his smaller frame. He would be a valuable addition to Anaheim’s middle-six forward group, with a forecasted 4-year contract at about $4.98 million AAV.
Brock Nelson, a consistent 50-60 point scorer with a solid 6-foot-4, 212-pound frame, finished the 2024-25 season strongly after a trade to Colorado. Nelson combines speed and physicality, though he isn’t a traditional defensive or penalty-killing center. He is expected to command a 3-year contract worth roughly $7.06 million AAV.
Other potential free agent fits include Sam Bennett, John Tavares, and Christian Dvorak. The Ducks currently have centers like Leo Carlson, Mason McTavish, Trevor Zegras, Ryan Strom, and Isac Lundestrom but lack a reliable two-way center essential for competing against elite opponents and closing tight games.
Adding skilled, defensively responsible centers would strengthen Anaheim’s depth and increase their playoff chances. The Ducks seem unlikely to be hindered by offer sheets, giving them some leverage in free agency. As they push towards the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, these moves could be crucial.
Fan Take: This offseason represents a pivotal moment for the Ducks as they aim to rebuild a competitive roster capable of contending in a tough Western Conference. The targeted acquisitions of two-way centers and skilled scorers can reshape the team’s identity and make every hockey fan excited to watch Anaheim’s next chapter unfold.
