Ducks eliminated, didn't overcome slow start, NHL-worst goal differential

The Anaheim Ducks failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

Anaheim (23-37-10) was eliminated from contention Sunday with a 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
After qualifying for the playoffs six straight seasons and reaching the Western Conference Final in 2015 and 2017, the Ducks have finished no higher than sixth in their division the past five seasons. It's their longest stretch not making the playoffs since entering the NHL in 1993-94.
Here is a look at what happened in the 2022-23 season for the Ducks and why things could be better next season:

The skinny

Potential unrestricted free agents: Derek Grant, F; Jayson Megna, F; Kevin Shattenkirk, D; Nathan Beaulieu, D; Scott Harrington, D
Potential restricted free agents: Max Comtois, F; Troy Terry, F; Trevor Zegras, F; Simon Benoit, D; Jamie Drysdale, D; Lukas Dostal, G
Potential 2023 Draft picks: Nine

What went wrong

Stalled start: After a thrilling 5-4 overtime win against the Seattle Kraken in the season opener Oct. 12, the Ducks lost seven straight games (0-6-1), putting themselves in a hole in the Pacific Division. By Dec. 15, Anaheim was last in the NHL by points percentage (.306; 8-20-3). It had a five-game losing streak in January (0-4-1; Jan. 8-17) and six-game losing streak in February (0-5-1; Feb. 10-21).
Disastrous differential: Anaheim has allowed the most goals (280), is tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the second-fewest goals scored (180) and has the worst goal differential (minus-100) in the NHL this season. One reason for that was lack of compete, according to Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek. Speaking at an event for Orange Alliance members March 8, Verbeek said, "I want us to be really hard to play against, and we were too easily pushed aside. We weren't competing hard enough to win pucks."
Not so special teams: The power play is 30th in the NHL (15.9 percent) and the penalty kill is 29th (72.7 percent). The Ducks rank 27th in power-play opportunities (194) and are fifth in most penalties taken (310) this season.

Reasons for optimism

Growth of young players: Forward Mason McTavish joined the growing list of prominent young stars already making major contributions in Anaheim's lineup this season, joining Zegras, Terry and Drysdale. McTavish is signed through 2024-25 but Zegras, Terry and Drysdale can each become a restricted free agent. Verbeek has already said he will begin negotiations at the end of the season. McTavish ranks second among NHL rookies with 41 points (16 goals, 25 assists) while averaging 15:22 of ice time in 70 games this season. He's tied for first in power-play goals (six) and tied for third in even-strength points (28).

Help on the way: There's a nice group of defensemen prospects in the pipeline expected to turn professional next season with San Diego of the American Hockey League, including defensemen Pavel Mintyukov (2022 NHL Draft, No. 10), Olen Zellweger (2021, No. 34) and Tyson Hinds (2021, No. 76). Jackson Lacombe (2019, No. 39) ranks fourth in scoring at the University of Minnesota with 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 33 games as a senior this season. The 22-year-old defenseman is expected to join the Ducks at the conclusion of his college season. Additionally, forward Nathan Gaucher (2022, No. 22) has 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists) in 41 games for Quebec of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season.
Plenty of picks: Anaheim has six picks in the first three rounds of the 2023 NHL Draft; three in the second and two in the third. They will also be one of the 11 teams participating in the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery on May 8 with a chance to win and have the opportunity to select forward Connor Bedard, the projected No. 1 pick. The Ducks also have six picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NHL Draft, including two in the second round and three third-round selections. That gives Verbeek a lot to work with if Anaheim looks to upgrade the roster through trades in the short term or add to the base of prospects for the long term.