The Ducks begin with two away contests before welcoming Utah HC in their home opener Oct. 16, which could also be the home debut for prospect Cutter Gauthier
While the Ducks have played their offseason close to the vest thus far, they did reveal their schedule for 2024-25 on Tuesday.
With storylines yet to come, here is an early look at six matches worth the fans’ attention already.
After the Ducks start with two game son the road, their 31st home opener will feature at least two firsts in franchise history: It’ll be the maiden matchup with Utah HC and the Honda Center debut for top prospect Cutter Gauthier. Acquired in January from Philadelphia for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round draft pick, Gauthier made his Ducks debut in the final road game of last season but he’ll introduce himself to the Honda Center crowd when Utah, which relocated from Arizona, also gets acquainted with the Ducks faithful.
Gauthier will also be at the center of this clash, an early-season rematch from the Ducks’ campaign opener in San Jose, as he’ll face No. 1 overall pick and former collegiate rival Macklin Celebrini as well as former Boston College teammate Will Smith. The Sharks took Smith fourth overall last season before winning the Celebrini sweepstakes. Gauthier was the fifth overall pick of Philadelphia in 2022, but the Ducks swooped in last season when he refused to sign with the Flyers.
Last year, Chicago selected Connor Bedard first overall in a move that surprised no one on earth before the Ducks dropped a few jaws by selecting Leo Carlsson at No. 2. They squared off twice in 2023-24, with each rookie sensation’s team shutting out the other once. In two games, the pair of neophytes combined for just one assist, Bedard’s in a 1-0 win, but sooner than later sparks will fly between the two young, gifted scorers.
The man they call “Rico” will be back as Adam Henrique will return to Honda Center for the first time since being traded near last season’s deadline. After taking on a larger leadership role last year with the Ducks, Henrique played his former team once, scoring a goal during a 6-1 trouncing of Anaheim in Edmonton. He would go on to reach Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final with the Oilers, who brought him back on a two-year, $6 million contract on Monday night.
Boston-born Greg Cronin, the Ducks’ head coach, is one of many Ducks with connections to New England from youth hockey, the NCAA level or both. Boston was the site of one of the most thrilling games of last season for the Ducks as well. The Bruins also feature former Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm and, in free agency, they added another Lindholm, former Pacific Division foe Elias Lindholm.
Star power burgeons as Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon, perennial Norris Trophy finalist Cale Makar, the powerful Mikko Rantanen and the rest of the Avs close out the schedule at Honda Center. Fan appreciation night, complete with jerseys off the players’ backs, is always a delight for those on hand and that’ll all be even more pleasant if this is a meaningful game for the Ducks. General manager Pat Verbeek has said he wants to compete for a playoff spot this season, which would be the first berth for the Ducks since 2018.
Oct. 12 at San Jose, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 at Vegas, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 vs. Utah, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Colorado, 6 p.m.
Oct. 20 vs. Kings, 5 p.m.
Oct. 22 vs. San Jose, 6:45 p.m.
Oct. 26 at New York Rangers, 4 p.m.
Oct. 27 at New Jersey, 4 p.m.
Oct. 29 at New York Islanders, 4 p.m.
Oct. 31 at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m.
Nov. 3 vs. Chicago, 5 p.m.
Nov. 5 vs. Vancouver, 7 p.m.
Nov. 8 vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Nov. 10 vs. Columbus, 5 p.m.
Nov. 13 vs. Vegas, 7 p.m.
Nov. 15 vs. Detroit, 7 p.m.
Nov. 18 at Dallas, 5 p.m.
Nov. 19 at Chicago, 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 22 vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Nov. 25 vs. Seattle, 7 p.m.
Nov. 27 at Seattle, 7 p.m.
Nov. 29 vs. Kings, 12:30 p.m.
Dec. 1 vs. Ottawa, 5 p.m.
Dec. 4 vs. Vegas, 7 p.m.
Dec. 6 vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 at Montreal, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 11 at Ottawa, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 at Toronto, 4 p.m.
Dec. 14 at Columbus, 4 p.m.
Dec. 18 vs. Winnipeg, 7 p.m.
Dec. 20 vs. Colorado, 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 at Utah, 2 p.m.
Dec. 23 at Vegas, 7 p.m.
Dec. 28 vs. Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29 vs. Edmonton, 1 p.m.
Dec. 31 vs. New Jersey, 5 p.m.
Jan. 2 at Winnipeg, 5 p.m.
Jan. 3 at Edmonton, 6 p.m.
Jan. 5 vs. Tampa Bay, 5 p.m.
Jan. 7 vs. Calgary, 7 p.m.
Jan. 9 at St. Louis, 5 p.m.
Jan. 11 at Philadelphia, 4 p.m.
Jan. 12 at Carolina, 2 p.m.
Jan. 14 at Washington, 4 p.m.
Jan. 16 at Tampa Bay, 4 p.m.
Jan. 18 at Florida, 3 p.m.
Jan. 21 vs. Florida, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 vs. Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Jan. 25 vs. Nashville, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 at Seattle, 7 p.m.
Jan. 30 at Calgary, 6 p.m.
Feb. 2 vs. Montreal, 1 p.m.
Feb. 4 vs. Dallas, 7 p.m.
Feb. 8 at Kings, 7 p.m.
Feb. 22 at Boston, 4 p.m.
Feb. 23 at Detroit, 3 p.m.
Feb. 25 at Buffalo, 4 p.m.
Feb. 27 vs. Vancouver, 7 p.m.
March 1 vs. Chicago, 7 p.m.
March 4 at Edmonton, 6 p.m.
March 5 at Vancouver, 7:30 p.m.
March 7 vs. St. Louis, 7 p.m.
March 9 vs. New York Islanders, 6 p.m.
March 11 vs. Washington, 7 p.m.
March 12 at Utah, 6 p.m.
March 14 vs. Nashville, 7 p.m.
March 16 at St. Louis, 3 p.m.
March 18 at Dallas, 5 p.m.
March 20 at Nashville, 5 p.m.
March 23 vs. Carolina, 5 p.m.
March 26 vs. Boston, 7 p.m.
March 28 vs. New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
March 30 vs. Toronto, 5 p.m.
April 1 vs. San Jose, 7 p.m.
April 3 at Calgary, 6 p.m.
April 5 at Vancouver, 1 p.m.
April 7 vs. Edmonton, 7:30 p.m.
April 9 vs. Calgary, 7 p.m.
April 10 at Kings, 7:30 p.m.
April 13 vs. Colorado, 7 p.m.
April 15 at Minnesota, 5 p.m.
April 16 at Winnipeg, 4:30 p.m.
