Chris Pronger Sees Ducks Poised for Resurgence

Former star defenseman believes vision, luck, and key hires have Anaheim on the rise.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:28pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of teal, navy, and gold colors representing the dynamic action on the ice.Pronger's perspective on the Ducks' promising future is a testament to the team's strategic vision and the potential of its young core.Anaheim Today

Chris Pronger, the former Ducks defenseman who won a Stanley Cup with the team in 2007, believes the franchise is on the cusp of another ascent to the NHL's pinnacle. Pronger, now a media personality and motivational speaker, praised the work of Ducks GM Pat Verbeek and coach Joel Quenneville, saying their vision and the team's recent high draft picks have the Ducks primed for a return to contention.

Why it matters

The Ducks have struggled in recent years, missing the playoffs for seven straight seasons. However, Pronger sees the team's high draft selections and key front office hires as signs that Anaheim is poised to return to relevance in the NHL. As a former star player and Cup winner with the franchise, Pronger's perspective carries significant weight.

The details

Pronger, who won a Hart Trophy, Norris Trophy, and multiple international championships during his Hall of Fame career, said the Ducks have the right pieces in place to climb back to the top. He praised GM Pat Verbeek, who Pronger played under early in his career, for his analytical mind and engagement with the business side of the sport. Pronger also expressed excitement about the Ducks' hiring of coach Joel Quenneville, who he played for in St. Louis and later faced in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.

  • The Ducks have missed the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons, drafting in the top 10 during that span.
  • Verbeek was hired as Ducks GM in the latter half of the 2021-22 season, while Quenneville took over as head coach prior to the 2022-23 campaign.

The players

Chris Pronger

A former star defenseman who won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007, Pronger is now a media personality and motivational speaker. He has a Hall of Fame playing career that includes a Hart Trophy, Norris Trophy, and multiple international championships.

Pat Verbeek

The current general manager of the Ducks, Verbeek was Pronger's first captain when he broke into the NHL with the Hartford Whalers. Pronger praised Verbeek's analytical mind and engagement with the business side of the sport.

Joel Quenneville

The current head coach of the Ducks, Quenneville previously coached Pronger with the St. Louis Blues and later faced him in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final when Quenneville's Chicago Blackhawks defeated Pronger's Philadelphia Flyers.

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What they’re saying

“What goes up must come down, and what goes down must come up. When we look at cycles now in the National Hockey League, they certainly had bottomed out.”

— Chris Pronger, Former Ducks Defenseman

“It's one thing to pick high. It's another thing to get those players, to hit on those players, and get them to develop and play at the highest level.”

— Chris Pronger, Former Ducks Defenseman

“A, you've gotta have a vision. B, a lot of it is luck. It's where you fall in the draft, and then who's available in that draft. Some years there's a generational talent, like a Matthew Schaefer or a Macklin Celebrini, and other years there's not.”

— Chris Pronger, Former Ducks Defenseman

What’s next

The Ducks will look to continue their upward trajectory and return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

The takeaway

Chris Pronger's endorsement of the Ducks' current direction, including the leadership of GM Pat Verbeek and coach Joel Quenneville, as well as the team's recent high draft picks, suggests the franchise is poised for a resurgence after several down years. Pronger's championship pedigree and familiarity with the organization lend credibility to his optimistic assessment of Anaheim's future.