NHL Training Camp Previews: Ducks, Coyotes Continue Rebuild

The National Hockey League will begin its 106^th season in early October, with a number of clubs looking to unseat the Colorado Avalanche after their Stanley Cup victory earlier this summer, while others are preparing to make a run at getting the best odds to select presumptive first overall pick Connor Bedard.

With the NHL salary cap going up only $1 million, many clubs had to make difficult roster decisions. Nearly half the league is currently over the $82.5 million limit and will be using long-term injured reserve to get under the cap ceiling, while budget clubs used their cap space to add draft capital.

Here is a preview of two Western Conference clubs at different stages of their rebuilds:

Arizona Coyotes (25-50-7 – 8^th place in the Central Division)

Who’s Out – Phil Kessel, Anton Stralman, Alex Galchenyuk, Loui Eriksson

Who’s In – Zack Kassian, Nick Bjugstad, Patrik Nemeth, Josh Brown, Troy Stecher

The Coyotes will move into the 5,000-seat Arizona State University arena this season, but will anyone show up to watch them? Under second-year GM Bill Armstrong, Arizona’s most impactful off-season moves were acquiring salary dumps Kassian from Edmonton and Nemeth from New York for draft picks. The expectation is that the Yotes will continue to shop defenseman Jakob Chychrun in hopes of a significant return from a contending club.

2022-23 Potential impact prospects

D – Victor Soderstrom

W – Dylan Guenther

C – Logan Cooley

Soderstrom is 21 and had brief stints in the NHL the last two seasons. Guenther scored 45 goals in 59 games for Edmonton (WHL) and will get a long look at training camp. Cooley was selected third overall at the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal and is headed for the University of Minnesota this fall, but could be a one-and-done and sign a professional deal after one NCAA season.

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Anaheim Ducks (31-37-14 – 7^th place in the Pacific Division)

Who’s Out – Ryan Getzlaf (retired), Sonny Milano, Sam Steel

Who’s In – Ryan Strome, Frank Vatrano, John Klingberg

GM Pat Verbeek chose to deal his pending UFA’s before the trade deadline to load up on draft picks and dipped into free agency with the signings of ex-NY Rangers Strome and Vatrano. The most intriguing addition is Klingberg, who did not get the long-term deal he expected this summer and instead signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Ducks. The club making progress will fall on the shoulders of Calder Trophy nominee Trevor Zegras, winger Troy Terry, and defenseman Jamie Drysdale.

2022-23 Potential impact prospects

C – Mason McTavish

D – Drew Helleson

G – Lukas Dostal

McTavish has the makings of a potential superstar. The 19-year-old was not phased by the NHL in a nine-game tryout last season, and coming off playing for Canada in the Olympics and a dominant 17-point performance at the 2022 World Junior in Edmonton. Helleson was acquired from Colorado in the Josh Manson deal and he might be ready for the NHL after playing at Boston College and for the US in Beijing. Dostal had an excellent year for San Diego(AHL) and made four NHL starts, which could mean he may be ready to back up John Gibson.