Meet the Anaheim Ducks' 2024 Offseason Additions – Hockey Writers – Ducks Deals

The Anaheim Ducks missed the boat on the first day of free agency, but the team added depth through signings and trades during the 2024 offseason. General manager Pat Verbeek, who was on the job last year, couldn't land the big fish when the market opened on July 1 despite his best efforts. According to Eric Stephens of The Athletic, sources said the Ducks offered big-money contracts to Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault before both eventually agreed to terms with the Nashville Predators (from 'Anaheim Ducks took big in NHL free agency, but didn't connect. ,' -Athletic, July 1, 2024). It is disappointing that this team did not play freely. However, Stephens was right to point out that the Ducks still have plenty of cap space, plenty of quality prospects, and attractive players if Verbeek wants to explore a trade area before the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

The Ducks hoped to improve a front six with established talent and bring much-needed depth to the right side of the defense. Both goals still need to be fulfilled, but the team has taken small steps to strengthen the third and fourth lines while improving the defense.

Acquired Fabbri and Dumoulin Through Trades

The Ducks acquired Robby Fabbri and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft from the Detroit Red Wings on July 3 in exchange for Gage Alexander. Bringing in Fabbri's $4 million cap hit helped raise the Ducks above the cap floor. The 28-year-old forward tied a career best with 18 goals in 68 games in the 2023-24 campaign despite averaging 12:52 of ice time per contest. He finished with 32 points, 77 hits, and 97 shots on target. He scored 37 points for St. Louis Blues in his rookie season in 2015-16 but has not come close to building on that success in subsequent years. He lifted the Stanley Cup as a member of the Blues in 2019.

He will likely slot into the third or fourth line during the upcoming campaign. The Ducks could also use him in the second power play combination. Despite his limited 5-on-5 role with the Red Wings this past season, Fabbri ranked seventh among the team's power forwards in power play minutes (138:44) and tied for eighth on the club with 12 points. a man is a profit.

Related: Ducks' State of the Rebuild: 2024 Offseason

The Ducks acquired Brian Dumoulin from the Seattle Kraken on July 2 for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The Kraken had to cap space after inking back Brandon Montour and forward Chandler Stephenson to seven-year deals, allowing the Ducks to take advantage. Dumoulin, 32, scored a career-high six goals despite averaging just 0.86 shots per game and totaled 16 points in 80 outings in his one season with the Kraken. Additionally, he was credited with 79 blocks and 72 hits.

Another left blueliner wasn't a pressing need for the Ducks, but Dumoulin should be a nice depth piece on the second or third pairing. He has a steady presence on the ice, moves the puck well, and defends plays effectively with positioning and an active stick. The most important thing is that he doesn't take too many penalties, which was a problem last season. The Ducks were called for a league-high 439 infractions in 2023-24, including 377 minor penalties. His leadership skills will also benefit the young Ducks. Dumoulin won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. They could also be used as trade bait before the 2025 deadline.

Signed Forward Harkins and Meyer

Jansen Harkins signed a two-year, $1.575 million contract with the Ducks on July 2. He played in 45 games with the Penguins last season after being claimed off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets in October 2023. The 27-year-old tallied four assists, 37 shots. , with 74 hits at the NHL level. He also posted five goals and 12 points in 14 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2023-24.

He missed chunks of the season due to injuries, including missing 19 games with a hand injury. He underwent surgery after a fight with Beck Malenstyn of the Washington Capitals on March 7. Harkins is a blue-collar big man. He could earn a spot on the Ducks' fourth line.

Carson Meyer agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Ducks. He had one goal, one assist, 10 shots, and 37 tackles over 14 appearances with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. He spent the majority of the campaign with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters, tallying 22 goals, 37 points, and 65 penalty minutes in 55 outings.

Meyer, who will turn 27 in August, is likely to start the 2024-25 season in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls. He has just 41 games of NHL experience, providing two goals and four assists over the past three campaigns. Meyer could be an option to call up the Ducks.

More Travel Adds And Roster Players May Be More Impactful

It's not easy to see the changes in the duck season. However, it may be a silver lining to avoid overspending or overcommitting to high-profile free agents, especially with several young core members eligible for contract extensions next summer. The Ducks should improve on Leo Carlsson's full season, and Cutter Gauthier's rookie campaign will provide plenty of intrigue. If Mason McTavish, Alex Killorn, Trevor Zegras, Pavel Mintyukov, and Tristan Luneau stay healthy, they can also be significant difference makers. There is still a lot to look forward to in 2024-25, and of course, the team may not be done making changes to the roster.