Anaheim Ducks September Series: 2024-25 Expectations for Olen Zellweger – Hockey Writers – Anaheim Ducks

Earlier today, we concluded our month-long analysis and predictions for the Anaheim Ducks' young forwards with a look at Trevor Zegras. Let's do the same for the last (but certainly not the least) young defender of the team: Olen Zellweger.

Related: Ducks September Series: 2024-25 Expectations for Trevor Zegras

Zellweger is a smooth-skating, quick-handed dynamo on a quest to prove he can be the next in a long line of young, modern NHL defensemen who don't use traditional attributes like size, brute strength, or the ability to be impact players. . Let's think of his 26-game 2023-24 season as a slow opener, with 2024-25 serving as a hard launch for a top-pairing or top-four career.

Zellweger Flashes Bad Intelligence in Short Rookie Campaign

Zellweger's call-up last season gave us all the opportunity we've been waiting for to see Zellweger play on a professional level. After all, he had accomplished everything there was in the ranks of novices. He was a multiple-time World Junior Champion, set numerous statistical achievements, collected WHL Defenseman of the Year in his final season, and was even named an All-Star in the 2024 American Hockey League All-Star Game. His first game last season was a foregone conclusion; the only question was when.

The answer was Jan. 23 against the Buffalo Sabres, where he collected his first NHL point, an assist, in the win. He scored his first goal a few months later in a March 31 game against the Vancouver Canucks. In those two games and many others, he used his skating and offensive instincts to jump into plays and play a big role in the offense. His first goal came from the spot. Of course, that kind of energy and offensive activation can't come without his defensive responsibilities, which will be a key area for him to work on, but they're traits that have been missing from the Ducks' blue line for a long time. . The last Duck to show that kind of excitement was Brandon Montour, who was before he developed his game into what it is today.

Anyway, back to Zellweger, who finished his abbreviated rookie season with two goals, seven assists and a 19:17 time-on-ice (TOI) average. In the last few weeks of the season, he got opportunities to work on the power play and was regularly playing more than 20 minutes a night. It appears that he and teammate Pavel Mintyukov have replaced Cam Fowler as the top offensive assistants from the blue line. That is exactly how I would expect the 2024-25 season to play out.

Zellweger and Mintyukov Will Move the Case From the End

Fowler, if he stays in a Ducks uniform this season, may have relinquished much if not all of his previous work to the two new guys on the block. It's a bit of a shame, because Fowler, for all his game knowledge and talents, has never found the ability to transform the Ducks' game and has never been a feared power player, which is exactly what Zellweger and Minttyukov should both be able to do as they develop their games. It's not all Fowler's fault at any point, but his opportunity to be the leader of this team, in terms of on-ice duties, has passed him by. He's still an experienced leader with some game left, so if he stays in a Ducks uniform, he still has a lot of value.

Zellweger's ability to be a strong defenseman is based on his ability to pass first, handle the puck, skate and see the ice incredibly well. He did that all the time at the youth, international, and AHL levels. He's one of two left-handed defensemen for the Ducks who have those qualities, which should turn what was a lack in the Ducks' defense into an asset. The ability to get the puck out of the defensive zone quickly and forward is a key aspect of any scheme. You will be the center of that. The faster they get the puck out of the forwards' hands, the more likely the Ducks are to spend time in the offensive zone. More time at the offensive end means more time to see the likes of Zellweger hanging out with Zegras, Troy Terry, Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, and Cutter Gauthier. We have a lot to be happy about.

Lots of Volume to Offer Offensively

The youth movement in Anaheim means that Zellweger and his young teammates will have ample opportunity to use their offensive instincts, speed, and creativity. This includes five-on-five and the power play. Mintyukov is the most complete player at the moment, so he may get the distinction of the top-unit quarterback role, relegating Zellweger to second. But if that unit could include guys like Alex Killorn, Frank Vatrano, McTavish, Carlsson, or others, suddenly you have two helper units that are versatile, can move the puck quickly, and have multiple shooting threats. That doesn't mean it will be successful right away, but the creativity and hockey IQ are there to do the damage. And, if he plays 20 minutes or more a night early, he'll be given more of a chance.

Growing Defense Ties Will Fast Track Zellweger To Stardom

Not to be lost in all of this, of course, are Zellweger's primary responsibilities as a protector. At 21 years old and just 26 games of NHL experience, he will likely struggle with some of those defensive duties. For example, understanding the power, competitiveness, and desire needed to secure the front net. Knowing when is the right time to move the puck and skate with it. No one settles for a start, so while there is plenty of promise from the offensive end, patience will be the word of the game as Zellweger rounds out his game. We can reasonably expect growing pains this season, as well as moments of mixed brilliance. The regular season is approaching, when we'll see what Zellweger and crew have in store for us.