Ducks September Series: 2024–25 Expectations for Leo Carlsson – Hockey Writers – Anaheim Ducks

The 2023 NHL Draft Lottery left the Anaheim Ducks one pick short of the right to select Connor Bedard, who is as close to a proven production talent as one can get. This happened 18 years after the Ducks didn’t get the chance to select Sidney Crosby in 2005.

The Ducks had already missed out on the Crosby sweepstakes. As for the outcome of the lottery in 2023, that disappointment was also fairly short-lived because Leo Carlsson hurt the Ducks, and he has done nothing but bright star chances, as Bedard did, since then. Carlsson will be next in our September series, so let’s talk about what to expect from the young Swede as he enters his second season in the NHL.

Carlsson Pick Was Surprising But Well Made

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek surprised many when he took Carlsson instead of second-round pick Adam Fantilli in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Fantilli, after all, had one of college hockey’s best seasons and won the Hobey Baker Award for best player in college hockey. But if you listened to Verbeek’s comments immediately after the draft, it was easy to see why Carlsson, and not Fantilli, was the right choice. He said, “[…] he has great size and maybe what I liked about him was his two-way game, and I think he has the potential to be a great player on both ends of the ice.”

As high on Carlsson as he was, Verbeek wasn’t too keen on getting him into NHL action right away, which encouraged a “development plan”, which would ease him into the professional game. Players who make their debut between the ages of 18-20 are at greater risk of high speed and physicality at the professional level, so there was good reason to be cautious. Look no further than 2022 first-round pick Juraj Slafkovsky of the Montreal Canadiens, who suffered a serious knee injury 40 games into his career and missed the second half of his rookie season.

Even with Verbeek’s caution and good intentions, Carlsson did not survive the brutality of NHL action and suffered several injuries in 2023-24, including a major knee injury scare and a concussion. However, he finished the last month of the season healthy and ended his rookie campaign with a stat line of 12 goals and 17 assists in 55 games played, good for a points-per-game (P/G) average of .52. Let’s not focus on the time he missed, but rather how he looked healthy, fast, skilled, and powerful, not to mention fit for a top center role for the next 10-plus years in Anaheim. .

Carlsson Impressed With Combination Of Speed, Passing, And Finishing Ability

Carlsson flashed high energy throughout his rookie campaign with his ability to assist, upset (and protect top defenses) on his own with his speed and puck handling, and convert opportunities in all areas of the offensive zone. It all started with his first NHL game, when he scored his first goal in a well-executed two-on-one with Troy Terry. He connected the pass and shot without breaking, like a seasoned player scoring goals. Not long after, he scored his first hat trick in a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He had five multi-point games. He had the winner in the shootout. The list of statistics continues and will only get better.

Related: Ducks September Series: 2024-25 Troy Terry Expectations

Carlsson has incredible speed for a player his size (6-foot-3). He is able to carry the puck without compromising that speed, which is even more impressive. He has all the attacking instincts you want in a top midfielder, as well as the intelligence, understanding and desire to be a complete, 200m player. Don’t be surprised if he contends for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s best defenseman, at some point in his career.

Who are you with Moving Forward?

The addition of a healthy Trevor Zegras and elite scoring prospect Cutter Gauthier to the lineup means the Ducks will have options to pair with Carlsson on the top line. Terry and Alex Killorn have played with him for most of the 2023-24 campaign, but all options should be on the table going forward. Terry played his best hockey when he beat Carlsson, so it makes sense to give these two another look. But to complete the line, there are many ways to make it skillful, unique, and dangerous. In this group, Killorn is a smart veteran who can accompany a talented pair with his under-the-dot competition and ability to play in small areas. He also has a knack for scoring goals. Even if this is true, are you really giving Killorn a desirable top line spot given the other forwards you need to get ice time? Chemistry and mixing well is important, so it’s an interesting question.

If you want to line up Carlsson with finishers who will benefit from Carlsson’s distribution ability, then Terry and Gauthier make sense. The Ducks gave up Jamie Drysdale for the latter, so they should see what they have with Gauthier soon. The best way to do that would be to sideline him with other talent. That said, Zegras is still the Ducks’ best player, so he should consider the top role no matter who else is in it. He showed a lot in his limited game last season. Regardless of which way you look at it, the Ducks are in a good position to evaluate how best to maximize Carlsson’s abilities and set him up for a breakthrough in 2024-25.

Expect Carlsson to Reach New Heights in 2024-25

Carlsson will be one of the main drivers of the Ducks offense this season. He will be a key player in a power play that should be improved greatly and will include the likes of Carlsson, Zegras, Mason McTavish, Terry, Gauthier, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger. If that group clicks, good luck stopping them. It has real power.

With a long training season, and a rookie season in the rearview mirror, expect the 20-year-old Swede to shine, hustle, and shine his way to an outstanding sophomore campaign. Life permitting, there’s no reason his production can’t keep up with Bedard and Fantilli, whose teams don’t have the same forward depth as the Ducks. Call me crazy, but Carlsson should be able to double his output, at least, and produce a 55–60 point season.