Ducks sign GM Pat Verbeek to multi-year extension

Despite recently losing six straight games, the Anaheim Ducks (42-32-5, 89 points) are inching closer to their first playoff berth since 2018. They can still leap the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights and secure their first Pacific Division title in nine years. The franchise is revitalized, and as a result, ownership is deciding to reinvest in the front office. Fourth-year general manager Pat Verbeek has agreed to a multi-year contract extension, per NHL.com.

Assistant GM Mike Stapleton is being promoted to senior vice president and associate GM. Verbeek capitalized on fortuitous draft positioning and a prolonged rebuild, using top-five picks on Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke. They are Anaheim’s top-three points leaders this season. Verbeek controversially hired three-time Stanley Cup champion Joel Quenneville to lift the squad back into relevance and traded for Washington Capitals great John Carlson.

Anaheim is rewarding the 61-year-old for his efforts and is trusting him to lead a prosperous era of Ducks hockey.

“Pat has done exactly as we hoped, having turned the Ducks into what we believe are perennial contenders for the next decade,” owners Henry and Susan Samueli said, per NHL.com. “We are beyond exited to see the team continue developing into what is already an exciting, winning team ready to take the next step.”

Pat Verbeek, a former forward who won a Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999, is tasked with assembling a roster that can endure the rigorous Western Conference. Even if Anaheim is not ready to vanquish the field this year, the future looks quite bright.

But management is certainly hopeful for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Ducks will battle the Vancouver Canucks in their final home game of the regular season this Sunday night.

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