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Ducks Predicted to Land $80M Star After Hiring Joel Quenneville

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated May 15, 2025 8:26 PM ET

The Anaheim Ducks are entering a crucial offseason following a solid improvement in the standings. While the Ducks didn't make the postseason, Anaheim did see a 21-point jump in the standings.

The Ducks brought in former Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville to run the team, giving them an experienced leader on the bench. But now it's time for the Ducks to take that next step with Quenneville in the mix.

It remains to be seen how active Anaheim will be this offseason, but they could be real players in the free agency market going forward. One name to watch could be Vegas Golden Knights star Jack Eichel, who is entering the final year of his contract.

NHL writer Lyle Fitzsimmons of Bleacher Report listed the Ducks as a possible landing spot for Eichel should he leave Vegas. With Eichel expected to enter free agency next season, Anaheim could be a solid spot for him.

"And what better way to restart the program than with Eichel, whose inflated asking price would easily fit within the team's projected $38.6 million in cap space for 2025-26 and beyond, and whose presence would add postseason-proven street cred to a roster long included among the league's best collections of young talent."

Bringing Eichel to Anaheim would help this team become more established, and it could set off a domino effect. The Ducks have been searching for a star player for years, and Eichel could be the perfect fit.

Before Eichel was traded to the Golden Knights, Anaheim was reportedly interested in him. So, this could be the team's chance to rectify that non-trade, but it remains to be seen how Vegas plays this Eichel situation as well.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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