​The true reason everything is unraveling in Anaheim has finally come to light. The Anaheim Ducks were expected to be turning a corner, riding the wave of promising young talent and accessible salary cap space as they headed into the offseason. Instead of marking progress, the organization finds itself mired in dysfunction, constant finger-pointing, and an offseason that has spiraled in almost every possible direction.
According to Frank Seravalli on Oilers Now, the atmosphere surrounding the Ducks under general manager Pat Verbeek has grown deeply strained. Seravalli pointed out that a great deal has unfolded since Verbeek took the reins, and that his reputation as a hard negotiator, coupled with the tenure of former head coach Greg Cronin, fostered what he described as a “tough environment.” The fallout from that environment is now playing out in real time.
The Ducks have watched a steady exodus of talent this offseason without any correspondingly meaningful additions. On the blue line, defensemen John Carlson, Jacob Trouba, Radko Gudas, and Olen Zellweger have exited. Carlson, Trouba, and Gudas left in free agency, while Zellweger was traded for a second-round pick and a prospects package. On the offensive side, Mason McTavish—once positioned as a cornerstone piece—was shipped to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for two first-round picks. The move reportedly reflected a belief that a change of scenery would benefit all involved, as McTavish had not developed as the organization had initially anticipated.
Perhaps the most consequential development is at center, where Leo Carlsson, widely regarded as the team’s brightest young talent, received a five-year, $90 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers. Anaheim now faces a choice with enormous long-term consequences: match the deal or lose Carlsson for four first-round picks. There is a sense that they will match, but the decision will forever reshape the franchise’s entire rebuild.
The chaos did not end there. Word of a separate offer sheet targeting restricted free agent defenseman Pavel Mintyukov reportedly forced the Ducks into signing him to a five-year, $36 million extension. That contract places Mintyukov on a level with top-pairing blueliners, a status he has not yet consistently demonstrated he can sustain. The organization still must resolve the situation with restricted free agent forward Cutter Gauthier, all while attempting to upgrade a roster that has seemingly deteriorated since the offseason began.
Critics have pointed to Verbeek’s negotiating style as a central factor in the current turmoil. The Ducks’ handling of their restricted free agents has reportedly been viewed around the league as outdated and overly combative, leaving the team exposed to the aggressive moves rival organizations have already pursued. The combination of a difficult internal culture, contentious contract negotiations, and a front office that appears unprepared to navigate the current landscape has left Anaheim facing a long, challenging road ahead—one that will likely redefine the core strategy of their rebuild for years to come.