The Hockey News released its annual Future Watch issue, naming the Ducks No. 1 in the NHL in a poll of top 21-and-under NHLers plus prospects (ranked by a panel of NHL scouts).

Anaheim received an ‘A’ letter grade for 2024, the only team to do so in this issue of Future Watch. Anaheim is also the only franchise to achieve an 'A' grade over each of the past two editions (A+ in 2023 Future Watch).

The Ducks have been ranked first in two of the last three Future Watch issues (also 2022) and were second despite an A+ rating in 2023.

Among all NHL clubs ranked in Future Watch, Anaheim is first in five-year average position and also 20-year average position. No NHL team has had more top-10 finishes (13), top-five finishes (10) and top-three finishes (eight) than the Ducks over the past 20 years.

This season, Anaheim has had the most 20-and-under and 22-and-under players play NHL games, including Leo Carlsson (19), Tristan Luneau (20), Pavel Mintyukov (20), Olen Zellweger (20), Mason McTavish (21), Trevor Zegras (22). In addition, Anaheim's Cutter Gauthier (acquired Jan. 8 from Philadelphia) was named the No. 2 prospect in Future Watch.

At the time of publication, Gauthier was the leading goal scorer in the NCAA this season, scoring 31 goals in 33 games (as of March 8), the most by an NCAA player in a single season since 2016-17. He surpassed the 30 scored by Adam Fantilli in 2022-23 and Cole Caufield in 2021-22.

Entering the 2024 NHL Draft (June 28-29), Anaheim owns nine picks overall, including seven in the first three rounds:

1st Round: Anaheim’s selection, Edmonton’s selection 
2nd Round: Anaheim and Boston selections
3rd Round: Anaheim, Pittsburgh and San Jose selections
4th Round: Anaheim’s selection
5th Round: No selection
6th Round: Anaheim’s selection 
7th Round: No selection