NHL Preview 2024-25 11 SportsForecaster.com

Forwards

Leo Carlsson [C]

  • Age: 19
  • Ht: 6-3
  • Wt: 203
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 55 12 17 29 -11 16 0.53
Career 160 48 64 112 6 53 0.70
Forecast 72 18 30 48 - - 0.67

The Swedish youngster, who turns 20 after Christmas, showed last season why he was taken No. 2 overall in 2023: he overcame a knee injury to put up useful offensive numbers on the Ducks. Anaheim was reluctant to overwork him in his first season in North America, but his two-way chops and offensive skills should blossom as he matures.

Robby Fabbri [LW/RW]

  • Age: 28
  • Ht: 5-11
  • Wt: 183
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Det 68 18 14 32 -13 32 0.47
Career 442 106 110 216 -95 203 0.49
Forecast 63 17 18 35 - - 0.56

The oft-injured forward played 68 games last season, the most since he played 72 as an NHL rookie in 2015-16. Not surprisingly, Fabbri matched his career high in goals (18) in 2023-24. If Fabbri can remain healthy, he can provide an advantage by bringing a dose of secondary or tertiary offense to the lineup (and a power-play option).

Cutter Gauthier [LW]

  • Age: 20
  • Ht: 6-2
  • Wt: 201
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 1 0 1 1 1 0 1.00
Career 112 36 42 78 26 34 0.70
Forecast 71 20 13 33 - - 0.46

The NCAA's top sniper last season (38 goals in 41 games with Boston College) made his NHL debut with Anaheim...after a squabble with Philadelphia led to a midseason trade to the Ducks. Gauthier has put the puck in the net everywhere he has played, so that should continue–although he might need some time to get used to the NHL's pace.

Ross Johnston [LW]

  • Age: 30
  • Ht: 6-5
  • Wt: 232
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 68 1 3 4 -12 117 0.06
Career 273 13 26 39 -19 522 0.14
Forecast 47 2 2 4 - - 0.09

To make sure opponents did not take liberties with their young talent, Johnston was acquired by the Ducks via waivers last season. He has made a career out of standing up for teammates, but his lack of offensive skill usually confined him to the press box. However, his 68 contests in '23-24 more than doubled his previous career high.

Alex Killorn [RW/LW]

  • Age: 35
  • Ht: 6-1
  • Wt: 199
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 63 18 18 36 -15 54 0.57
Career 979 237 311 548 93 573 0.56
Forecast 71 25 17 42 - - 0.59

Anaheim is relying on the two-time Stanley Cup champ for his maturity and leadership in addition to his on-ice skills. He is still a useful offensive player as he enters his age-35 season, though with the Ducks he is sometimes being asked to be more than just the support player he was with Tampa Bay–a role he is not really meant for.

Brett Leason [RW]

  • Age: 25
  • Ht: 6-5
  • Wt: 218
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 68 11 11 22 -7 14 0.32
Career 220 25 29 54 -29 54 0.25
Forecast 60 10 7 17 - - 0.28

The 25-year-old forward is coming off his best NHL season, one that saw him hit double figures in goals, assists and points for the first time. He still has work to do to make the most of his size and skill, and he must move his feet in the offensive zone to be more of a threat. Also, he must skate rather than reach on the backcheck.

Isac Lundestrom [W/C]

  • Age: 24
  • Ht: 6-0
  • Wt: 191
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 46 5 6 11 -1 2 0.24
Career 365 36 53 89 -42 42 0.24
Forecast 71 9 12 21 - - 0.30

A torn Achilles tendon sustained during off-season training kept Lundestrom out until last January, and he produced little offense upon his return. The 23rd player taken in the 2018 NHL draft can be a useful bottom-six center who can kill penalties, but he is not a natural fit on the power play. The Swede needs to step it up a notch.

Mason McTavish [C/LW]

  • Age: 21
  • Ht: 6-1
  • Wt: 207
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 64 19 23 42 -23 86 0.66
Career 258 67 93 160 -34 204 0.62
Forecast 80 24 35 59 - - 0.74

The No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft is showing why he was selected so highly and is regarded as a long-term impact player down the middle. He competes and battles in all three zones, and despite injuries that cost him 18 games in 2023-24, he demonstrated an ability to process the game and generate offense. He should continue to improve.

Ryan Strome [C/RW]

  • Age: 31
  • Ht: 6-1
  • Wt: 191
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 79 11 30 41 -20 86 0.52
Career 875 167 318 485 -15 617 0.55
Forecast 76 15 27 42 - - 0.55

A good-but-not-great forward, Strome has never posted the offensive numbers expected of the fifth player taken in his draft year ('11). He has been OK since signing with the Ducks in 2022, but he has not done enough to indicate that he is anything more than a middling middle-six forward. Strome is entering his 12th season in the NHL.

Troy Terry [RW]

  • Age: 27
  • Ht: 6-0
  • Wt: 191
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 76 20 34 54 -10 24 0.71
Career 456 123 192 315 -15 126 0.69
Forecast 77 30 30 60 - - 0.78

The Denver native's hockey smarts and ability are unquestioned. But he has gotten away from the shoot-first style of play that made him a 37-goal scorer in 2021-22, too often opting to feed teammates rather than put the puck on net himself. He has shown the ability to be a difference maker, but has gotten away from what made him one.

Frank Vatrano [LW/RW]

  • Age: 30
  • Ht: 5-11
  • Wt: 197
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 82 37 23 60 -20 85 0.73
Career 674 184 136 320 -78 427 0.47
Forecast 82 29 20 49 - - 0.60

To say the 30-year-old winger is coming off a career year is an understatement. The challenge now is for Vatrano to match last season's offensive output (37 goals, 60 points), which was far beyond his previous bests (24 goals in '18-19, 41 points in '22-23). Expect a decline, though he remains a useful forward in all game situations.

Trevor Zegras [LW/C]

  • Age: 23
  • Ht: 6-0
  • Wt: 185
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 31 6 9 15 -1 30 0.48
Career 295 77 135 212 -47 225 0.72
Forecast 76 19 40 59 - - 0.78

One of the NHL's most exciting players will try to rebound after an injury-marred '23-24 campaign that saw him limited to just 31 games and 15 points–a huge drop-off from the previous two seasons. His play away from the puck needs work, and he has to prove he can be a contributor on a winning team (not just a highlight-reel regular).

Defensemen

Goaltenders

Brian Dumoulin

  • Age: 33
  • Ht: 6-4
  • Wt: 214
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Sea 80 6 10 16 3 20 0.20
Career 734 28 155 183 95 186 0.25
Forecast 78 3 13 16 - - 0.21

The former Penguin and Kraken has spent most of his 11 NHL campaigns as a defense-first defenseman, though his six goals last season were a career high. His average ice time dropped by more than three and a half minutes per game. Dumoulin is an excellent running mate for a more offensive partner who likes to get involved in the play.

Cam Fowler

  • Age: 32
  • Ht: 6-2
  • Wt: 210
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 81 5 34 39 -36 24 0.48
Career 1072 106 399 505 -121 275 0.47
Forecast 82 5 28 33 - - 0.40

The No. 12 overall pick in the 2010 NHL draft enters his 15th campaign, all with the Ducks, as a minute-munching top-four defenseman whose offensive usefulness–he is riding the best three-season stretch of his career–is often negated by his plus/minus rating (–36 in 2023-24). He is useful but would be better in a less-demanding role.

Radko Gudas

  • Age: 34
  • Ht: 6-0
  • Wt: 208
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 66 6 12 18 14 128 0.27
Career 847 41 163 204 93 1066 0.24
Forecast 70 3 13 16 - - 0.23

It is hard to believe because of his team's defensive struggles in 2023-24, but Gudas was an excellent shutdown D-man in his first stint with Anaheim. He matched his career best with six goals and finished plus-14 on a team that was outscored by 91 goals. He remains a physical force (232 hits) who can keep the front of his net clear.

Jackson LaCombe

  • Age: 23
  • Ht: 6-2
  • Wt: 205
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 71 2 15 17 -24 24 0.24
Career 177 19 57 76 -25 58 0.43
Forecast 74 5 19 24 - - 0.32

The 2019 second-round draft pick went through growing pains in 2023-24, which is to be expected for a rookie rearguard on a defensively challenged team. His NCAA career indicates he has the ability to contribute more offensively, but he was often used in a shutdown role last campaign. He can play either side, which adds to his value.

Pavel Mintyukov

  • Age: 20
  • Ht: 6-1
  • Wt: 200
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 63 4 24 28 -20 24 0.44
Career 157 11 43 54 -24 46 0.34
Forecast 76 7 29 36 - - 0.47

The 10th player taken in the 2022 draft enters his second pro season looking to build on a solid rookie showing that solidified his early draft selection. He is a minute muncher who can move the puck and join the rush. The 20-year-old Russian has both high-end talent and confidence; he has the potential to become an impact blueliner.

Olen Zellweger

  • Age: 21
  • Ht: 5-10
  • Wt: 187
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Ana 26 2 7 9 -6 4 0.35
Career 117 14 27 41 6 38 0.35
Forecast 73 6 27 33 - - 0.45

His offensive skills got him to the NHL not long after his 20th birthday last campaign, following a successful half season in the AHL and a prolific junior career prior. Zellweger did not look out of place along Anaheim's blueline, despite his lack of optimum size (5'9'', 182 pounds), and has a bright future as a top-four defenseman.

Lukas Dostal

  • Age: 24
  • Ht: 6-2
  • Wt: 174
'23-24 GP W L OT SO GAA Sv%
Ana 44 14 23 3 1 3.33 0.902
Career 138 53 63 14 2 3.22 0.902
Forecast 46 20 - - 2 3.2 0.904

The 24-year-old looks ready to become an NHL starting goaltender after improving his goals-against average and save percentage last campaign–despite playing behind a truly awful defensive team. Dostal appears capable of handling a starter's workload after withstanding boatloads of shots on a nightly basis down the stretch in 2023-24.

John Gibson

  • Age: 31
  • Ht: 6-2
  • Wt: 214
'23-24 GP W L OT SO GAA Sv%
Ana 46 13 27 2 0 3.54 0.888
Career 521 210 224 64 24 2.91 0.909
Forecast 41 14 - - 1 3.35 0.897

At 31, Gibson's career decline has mirrored that of the Ducks. Injuries and poor play have cut down his ice time and helped send his goals-against average soaring from the days when he was regarded among the NHL's top netminders. He can still be brilliant on any given night but is no longer the difference maker he was five years ago.