Ducks season preview: Zegras, McTavish lead young core

The 2022-23 NHL season starts Oct. 7. With training camps opening soon, NHL.com is taking a look at the three keys, the inside scoop on roster questions, and the projected lineup for each of the 32 teams. Today, the Anaheim Ducks.

Coach:Dallas Eakins (fourth season)
Last season:31-37-14, seventh in Pacific Division; did not qualify for Stanley Cup Playoffs

3 KEYS

1. Youngsters have to produce
Trevor Zegras, 21, was second on the Ducks with 61 points (23 goals, 38 assists) last season, but some of their other young forwards struggled. Max Comtois, who led them with 16 goals and 33 points in 55 games in 2020-21, had six goals and 16 points in 52 games, so the 23-year-old will need to step up his game or potentially lose his spot among the top six in the lineup.
Mason McTavish, 19, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is expected to have a big role this season. Isac Lundestrom, selected No. 23 in the 2018 NHL Draft, could also play a more prominent role after the 22-year-old had 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 80 games last season when the Ducks were 24th in scoring (2.78 goals per game). They ranked last in 2020-21 (2.21).
2. Consistency on defense
The signing of defenseman John Klingberg to a one-year contract July 29 is a short-term fix but could be a big help in this group coming together in front of goalie John Gibson. Klingberg and Cam Fowler could play a big role on the power play, which finished 14th in the NHL last season (21.9 percent) after finishing last in 2020-21 (8.9 percent). Jamie Drysdale and Urho Vaakanainen are each expected to take on bigger roles after the Ducks ranked 23rd allowing 3.24 goals per game last season.
3. New leaders need to emerge
Ryan Getzlaf, who played 17 seasons for the Ducks and was captain for the past 12, retired after last season. His leadership on the ice and within the locker room will be missed, and someone will need to step up. Fowler and defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk as well as Zegras and forward Jakob Silfverberg could be among the favorites to eventually earn the captaincy, but for now the Ducks do not appear in a rush to make a decision.

ROSTER RUNDOWN

Making the cut
Offseason acquisitions Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano could play on the second forward line. Strome signed a five-year contract, and Vatrano agreed to a three-year contract on July 13. Comtois and McTavish could be in line for a spot with those two in training camp. The addition of Klingberg means Josh Mahura, Simon Benoit and prospect Drew Helleson will compete for one of the final spots on defense.
Most intriguing addition
Klingberg, who was considered by many to be the top free agent defenseman available this offseason, will provide an immediate boost with his offensive skill and shot-blocking ability. The right-handed shot also is effective on the power play; he had 20 power-play points with the Dallas Stars last season. The 30-year-old will bring veteran leadership to the locker room and should have no problem hitting the reset button after scoring six goals (tied for fewest of NHL career) and having a career-low minus-28 rating with Dallas in 2021-22.
Biggest potential surprise
McTavish had two goals and one assist in nine games for the Ducks last season, 29 goals in the Ontario Hockey League (24 for Hamilton, five for Peterborough) and one goal in three games for San Diego in the American Hockey League. He's expected to have a big impact after earning Most Valuable Player at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship for Canada in August when he led all scorers with 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in seven games.
Ready to break through
Drysdale, who is in the final season of his entry-level contract, finished second among NHL rookie defensemen with 32 points (four goals, 28 assists) in 81 games last season. Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider, who won the Calder Trophy voted as NHL rookie of the year, led all rookie defensemen with 50 points. Drysdale, the No. 6 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, wants to improve in his own end after finishing minus-26. The 20-year-old played with Lindholm to begin the season and then Fowler after Lindholm was traded. Drysdale was partnered with Vaakanainen at the end of the season and could find himself paired with the 23-year-old left-hand shot to begin this season.
Fantasy sleeper
Drysdale, D (fantasy average draft position: 169.1) -- He was third among rookie defensemen in power-play points (12) and could break out with exposure to valuable young forwards Zegras and McTavish. -- Pete Jensen

PROJECTED LINEUP

Adam Henrique -- Trevor Zegras -- Troy Terry
Max Comtois -- Ryan Strome -- Frank Vatrano
Max Jones -- Mason McTavish -- Jakob Silfverberg
Derek Grant -- Isac Lundestrom -- Sam Carrick
Cam Fowler -- John Klingberg
Uhro Vaakanainen -- Jamie Drysdale
Josh Mahura -- Kevin Shattenkirk
John Gibson
Anthony Stolarz