There are a handful of players on the Anaheim Ducks who continue to fly under the radar but who helped the team achieve some success heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. These players put up impressive numbers and contribute to the aggressive, physical, dominating image that the Ducks are trying to establish for themselves in the years to come.
Ryan Strome
Center Ryan Strome has been with the Ducks since the 2022-23 season and has become a fan favorite, thanks to his personality. While some fans criticize his on-ice performance, and his name often floats around in trade rumors, he has been a solid member of Anaheim’s veteran core. Alongside Frank Vatrano and Troy Terry, Strome has found his groove while averaging 16:58 of ice time this season.
Related: Ducks Veteran to Watch in Second Half: Frank Vatrano
Strome plays physically and is not afraid to check, hit, and block shots. His game fits well in the Ducks’ system and in the style they want to implement as they continue to rebuild and improve their image and in the standings. Strome has notched a respectable 30 points across 54 games – no small feat on a team with a 24-24-6 record this season – primarily as a playmaker with 23 assists to go along with his seven goals. He was recently on a hot streak, scoring 13 points across 16 games. He is a physical, reliable, and consistent center who complements Vatrano’s game.
Alex Killorn
Coming from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2023 offseason, signing left-winger Alex Killorn confused many fans. While he had a relatively solid season with the Lightning (64 points in 82 games) before moving to the West Coast, many wondered why the Ducks would sign a 35-year-old veteran when they have solid young talent in the pipeline. Although he hasn’t been perfect and needs to get back to the level he played at in Tampa Bay, Killorn has still proven that he can play just as well as the younger Ducks, particularly this season.
With 11 goals and 13 assists in 54 games, Killorn uses his physicality to his advantage. His plus-4 rating is one of the few plus ratings on the team, and he’s averaging 17:18 of ice time per game. The team also controls the puck 51% of the time with Killorn on ice and the Ducks’ power play is noticeably stronger with him on the unit.
Before the 4 Nations break, Killorn led the team to a comeback victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 2, scoring the game-winning goal. His years of NHL experience have made him a valuable mentor for younger Ducks like Cutter Gauthier, and he is finally settling in and proving that he is a valuable member of the roster.
Jackson LaCombe
At just 24, defenseman Jackson LaCombe is one of the younger players on the Ducks, but that has not stopped him from proving that he is a difference-maker. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, LaCombe is a big body on Anaheim’s blue line.
He is not afraid to hit, check, and use his body to get – and keep – the puck on his side of the ice. While other young defensemen Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov are in and out of the lineup, LaCombe has solidified himself as a roster regular, often playing alongside Radko Gudas. The blueliner has also tallied 24 points across 47 games this season, including nine goals. He still has room to grow and develop and will be a solid part of Anaheim’s future.
While Strome, Killorn, and LaCombe may not be the first Ducks to cross your mind as greats, they are nonetheless proving themselves to be solid members of the current squad. Whether they are boosting morale on and off the ice, bringing veteran presence, making a notable difference in the team’s play and offensive abilities, or continuing to grow and develop over time, these three underrated players are making a clear case for staying part of the Ducks’ core for some time to come.
