Anaheim Ducks’ GM Pat Verbeek Named Finalist for Jim Gregory Award – Hockey Writers – Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks general manager (GM) Pat Verbeek has been named a finalist for the Jim Gregory Award. The award celebrates the best GM in the league, and Verbeek certainly made a case for it this season. This is his first appointment, but not the first in franchise history. Former GM Bob Murray was a finalist three seasons and won the award in 2013-14.

Verbeek is in his fifth season with the franchise and has been with the team since Feb. 3, 2022. Since his appointment, he has assembled a collection of young talent that ushered in a new era for Ducks hockey. When he took over, the team was in its fifth year of a playoff drought and was in dire need of encouragement and renewal. Although the process was long and difficult, Verbeek was up for the challenge.

Draft Picks

Verbeek knew that he had to influence the draft players in the team to build a core of young players that would strengthen the future of the team and help them on their way to winning again. In his first NHL Entry Draft in 2022, his notable picks were defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, a regular on the Ducks’ roster, and Nathan Gaucher, Noah Warren, and Tristan Luneau, who excelled in the American Hockey League (AHL).

In 2023, he changed the fate of the fledgling Ducks by taking a chance on Leo Carlsson. Carlsson is now one of the team’s best offensive players and is popular throughout the league. This season, he was second on the team in goals (29) and points (67). He also has 10 points in as many playoff games.

Verbeek drafted another member of the club of young superstars, Beckett Sennecke, in 2024. Sennecke was not expected to be taken early in the draft, but the GM clearly saw the potential. Sennecke has been a standout player among the franchise and the league as a whole. He ranks third on the team in goals (23) and points (60) and is a Calder Trophy finalist.

Verbeek also built the team’s future by drafting Roger McQueen and Stian Solberg in the first round of the 2025 draft. McQueen — a high-scoring, speedy forward who will only benefit a young, tough, and hungry team like the Ducks — expects to make his debut next season. He. Solberg is a big, physical defenseman who will anchor the blue line as players like Radko Gudas or Jacob Trouba come off the roster.

Impact Trading

Verbeek made some smart and impactful trades during his time as GM. Perhaps the most notable trade was the acquisition of Cutter Gauthier from the Philadelphia Flyers. GM took a shot in the dark for a solid college hockey player losing young defenseman Jamie Drysdale– and it worked out pretty well.

Gauthier led the team in scoring this season with 41 goals and 69 points. In his rookie season, he had 44 points in 82 games; not a bad start, nothing like an explosion was to come. Rarely does a game go by when Gauthier doesn’t account for at least one point. He also had an impact in the playoffs, with 10 points in 10 games.

Another notable trade came when Verbeek acquired veteran defenseman John Carlson from the Washington Capitals, an overnight blockbuster that made waves in the hockey world. Carlson was the most dominant blueliner in Capitals franchise history and was expected to remain in Washington until his retirement. He started his time with the Ducks strong, with 14 points in 16 games and six points in 10 playoff games. The team needed a solid two-way defenseman, and Verbeek found the way.

Verbeek’s skillful deal-making and trading skills helped shape the club into what it is today. They wouldn’t have been able to make the playoffs this season without players like Gauthier or Carlson on the roster, among others. It’s also possible that they wouldn’t have had as much success if certain players, like John Gibson or Trevor Zegras, had stuck around. Although they had a positive impact on the team during their tenure, their success was solid, and it was time to move on. Verbeek has an uncanny ability to read players and make the right trade at the right time.

Success This season

No one expected the Ducks to be a true playoff contender this season, but for the first time since 2017, they made an incredible postseason run. Verbeek’s hiring of head coach Joel Quenneville had a big impact as Quenneville was able to turn Anaheim from a lowly team to a tough, competitive contender in just one season. The Ducks constantly stunned their opposition with late game comebacks and last-minute wins, high physical quality, and an incredible amount of attacking opportunities.

Anaheim climbed 21 points in the standings last season, which was impressive enough. However, they improved by 12 more points this season, finishing third in the Pacific Division. Their success saw them win the first round, and they are in the middle of the second round against the Vegas Golden Nights. Without Verbeek’s leadership and his brilliant mind about draft picks, trades, and personnel, the team would not be where it is.

Verbeek joins Bill Guerin of the Minnesota Wild and Chris MacFarland of the Colorado Avalanche as finalists for the award. Winners will be announced at the end of the season.