Anaheim Ducks 2026-27 season pressure rankings

With just one more preseason game left on the docket, the start of the 2026-27 season is rapidly approaching for the Anaheim Ducks. Even though final rosters are not due for a couple days, the 30 players currently left standing are the most likely to see some ice time for the Ducks, during the upcoming season. In our second annual exercise, we are going to attempt to forecast which Ducks players are facing the most pressure. Note that this list is entirely subjective, as all players in the NHL face pressure in some form or fashion. This ranking is just an index, as some players face more pressure than others, when looking at pressure versus the weight of expectations.

30. Judd Caulfield

2025-26 season stats: 71 GP, 17 G, 21 A (AHL)

As a regular for the San Diego Gulls the past three seasons, Caulfield's ability to stay on the roster this far into the preseason has been notable. Unless the Ducks sustain multiple injuries to their wingers during the upcoming season though, the opportunity to snag a roster spot is slim for Caulfield. The Ducks are already set with a power forward in the top six and with veterans throughout the lineup, the oppurtunity for Caulfield to jump up to the big club is not there.

29. Travis Mitchell

2025-26 season stats: 9 GP, 1 G. ATOI: 11:32

The Ducks signed Mitchell in the offseason to a low-risk one-year two-way contract. The problem for Mitchell, is the sheer amount of NHL regulars and prospects ahead of him on the Ducks' depth chart. Outside of a good tilt in a preseason game against the San Jose Sharks, Mitchell has not done much to warrant leap frogging the other defensemen ahead of him.

28. Noah Warren

2025-26 season stats: 61 GP, 2 G, 10 A (AHL)

Much like Mitchell, the right-handed Warren faces the same hurdles when projecting a spot for him on the NHL roster; too many roadblocks. However, with his large frame, good mobility, and some extra seasoning in San Diego, Warren can continue to develop into an NHL quality defenseman.

27. Nico Myatovic

2025-26 season stats: 71 GP, 7 G, 12 A (AHL)

After spending the past two seasons in San Diego, Myatovic has been featured on the wing during the preseason, primarily on the third line. And in his two preseason games, Myatovic has registered two points. But much like the rest of the rookie crop, Myatovic has too much competition for too few open winger spots with the Ducks.

26. Sam Colangelo

2025-26 season stats: 9 GP, 1 G. ATOI: 10:11

Despite appearing in nine games for the Ducks last season, Colangelo primarily played with the Gulls, where he was far more effective, registering 36 points in 49 games. And without a point in the preseason so far, expect more of the same for Colangelo; an occasional callup to the Ducks to play on the fourth line as a winger.

25. Stian Solberg

2025-26 season stats: 71 GP, 12 G, 12 A (AHL)

Ducks fans have been patiently waiting for Solberg to take that next leap, after the team drafted him in the first round of the 2024 draft. Throughout the preseason though, Solberg has not looked prepared for NHL game speed. Solberg has good defensive instincts, and we were hopeful he could push for a roster spot, but he does not look ready yet.

24. Roger McQueen

2025-26 season stats: 7 GP, 1 G, 2 A (AHL)

McQueen split last season between Providence College and catching the tail-end of the Gulls' season/playoffs. As the 10th overall selection in the 2025 draft, McQueen has been cautiously penciled in as a future center for the Ducks and much like Solberg, we were hopeful that he too could push for a roster spot. But without appearing on the scoresheet in the preseason and a depth chart of centers featuring Leo Carlsson, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, and Tim Washe, McQueen will probably spend the upcoming season primarily in the AHL.

23. Tyson Hinds

2025-26 season stats: 6 GP. ATOI: 15:37

Hinds was called up towards the end of last season and also played in nine of the Ducks' playoff games. While he did not register a point, Hinds brought a different wrinkle to the blue line as a defensive defenseman. With Ian Moore on the shelf to start the 2026-27 season, Hinds has an oppurtunity to at least be part of the opening night lineup.

22. Nikita Nesterenko

2025-26 season stats: 29 GP, 1 G, 8 A. ATOI: 12:15

In the battle for fourth line winger, Nesterenko should have the outside track on Colangelo as the former appeared in more games for the Ducks, though neither player was on the ice for last season's playoff run. And with the exception of one other rookie, there are not many other Ducks prospects pushing to supplant Nesterenko's spot on the roster.

21. Laurent Brossoit

2025-26 season stats: 1 GP, 1 L, 6.09 GAA, .739 SV%

The last time Brossoit saw regular NHL game action was back in the 2023-24 season, when he was a back-up for the Winnipeg Jets and posted a 2.00 GAA with a .927 save percentage in 22 starts. Brossoit lost the entirety of his 2024-25 season, due to an injury, and slowly worked himself back into playing form in the AHL last season. With Ville Husso tabbed as the nominal Ducks back-up goalie to Lukas Dostal however, Brossoit will more than likely be deployed as the third goalie in the rotation.

20. Nikita Klepov

2025-26 season stats: 67 GP, 37 G, 60 A (OHL)

Of all the Ducks rookies vying for an everyday NHL roster spot, Klepov has looked the readiest. Selected with the 15th pick in this year's draft, as part of the Mason McTavish trade with the St. Louis Blues on draft night, Klepov has been featured on the top line in the preseason and has not looked out of place. Even though he has only registered one point so far, Klepov's immediate chemistry with Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier was noticeable. And with Troy Terry out of the lineup to begin the season, Klepov has an opportunity to lock down a top six forward role for the opening night roster.