Contemplation: Should the Ducks go 11/7?

The Anaheim Ducks have a problem on their blueline. Some may argue it's a good problem, but it's a problem nonetheless: they simply have too many NHL-caliber defensemen on their roster in need of consistent playing time.

They began the 2024-25 season with eight defensemen on their NHL roster: Brian Dumoulin, Radko Gudas, Cam Fowler, Urho Vaakanainen, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, Pavel Mintyukov and Tristan Luneau.

Early in the season, on Nov. 1, the Ducks determined Luneau would benefit from seasoning in the AHL. Nearly two weeks later, on Nov. 13, Cam Fowler was placed on IR, and Drew Helleson was recalled from the San Diego Gulls in his place.

Diagnosing the Ducks' Offensive Struggles

Helleson notched two assists in his season debut with the Ducks on Nov. 15 against the Detroit Red Wings and, in 14 NHL games this season, has looked the part of a reliable top-six defenseman. He displays proficient defensive fundamentals, a surprising aptitude along the offensive blueline, and the dependable trait of executing simple plays to move pucks up ice.

Fowler returned to the Ducks' lineup on Dec. 4, and two days later, the Ducks traded a fourth-round pick and Vaakanainen to the New York Rangers in exchange for Jacob Trouba, creating a logjam of eight NHL defensemen.

One week later, on Dec. 14, Fowler was traded to the St. Louis Blues along with a fourth-round pick for a second-round pick and defensive prospect, Jeremie Biakabutuka, lessening the logjam back to seven NHL defensemen.

In the five weeks since Trouba's acquisition, the Ducks have been forced to sit one of Mintyukov, Helleson, or Zellweger on a nightly basis.

"That's a game-to-game thing," Ducks head coach Greg Cronin said of the blueline rotation. "I think when (Helleson) is in the lineup, it gives us better chemistry with the lefties and righties."

Up front, in the forward group, Trevor Zegras sustained a torn meniscus, which required surgery and an estimated six-week recovery. He is halfway through that timeline, and his spot in the Ducks' top nine has been occupied by a combination of Brock McGinn and Brett Leason, mostly alongside Leo Carlsson and Alex Killorn.

Leason and McGinn have played admirably in Zegras' absence but may not have the offensive acumen to sustainably assume a top-nine role.

With eight top-nine-caliber forwards and seven top-six-caliber defensemen, it may behoove the Ducks to experiment with an 11-forward and seven defensemen lineup deployment, barring health and until Zegras returns to the lineup.

Pros

Though they wouldn't be receiving heavy minutes, reduced minutes might serve the young defensemen more than time in the press box, as healthy scratches would.

When it comes to forwards, Mason McTavish and Cutter Gauthier seemed to have stabilized their impact and production, but Leo Carlsson has struggled with his consistency this season.

"I want to score more points," Carlsson said. "I think I've played well these last couple games, just not scoring. It's a little frustrating, but you just gotta keep going. I'm trying to produce every game, but it's just not happening right now."

Slotting Carlsson between players more dynamic than Killorn, Leason, and McGinn may offer him the space he needs to maximize his impact and more time to operate with the puck on his stick.

Cons

As mentioned above, McTavish and Gauthier have found some chemistry playing alongside each other and Robby Fabbri. Ryan Strome's line with Troy Terry and Frank Vatrano has been the most consistently productive line, taking on matchups against the opposing top lines and holding 51.3% of the expected goal share.

Resorting to an 11/7 lineup could throw a wrench in the chemistry that has been developed within the Strome and McTavish lines over the last handful of games, chemistry that's been hard to come by in recent years for the Ducks.

There's also a fatigue factor to consider. The Ducks run an exerting system as it is. It requires extreme effort at all times in the defensive zone and could be considered a contributing factor to their offensive struggles this season, so adding another minute or two to the workloads of the team's top offensive talent could limit odd-man rushes and extended cycles in the offensive zone.

An 11/7 lineup isn't a long-term solution for any team, but if the risk is deemed worth the reward, the Ducks feel the need to spark Carlsson's offense and get all their young defenders in the lineup each night, it could be a viable solution until Zegras returns from injury or another significant roster move is made.

Anaheim Ducks New Year's Resolutions

Three Things in 2025 to Look Forward to for the Ducks