Anaheim Ducks at a glance
ANAHEIM DUCKS
LAST SEASON: 51-24-7, won Pacific Division. Lost to Chicago Blackhawks in Western Conference finals.
COACH: Bruce Boudreau (fifth season, eighth NHL season).
ADDED: D Kevin Bieksa, F Carl Hagelin, F Chris Stewart, F Shawn Horcoff, F Mike Santorelli, G Anton Khudobin.
LOST: F Matt Beleskey, D Francois Beauchemin, F Emerson Etem, F Kyle Palmieri, D James Wisniewski.
PLAYER TO WATCH: D Hampus Lindholm. In his third season with the Ducks, the 21-year-old Swede could be ready to become one of the NHL's elite defensemen. After contributing 10 points and major minutes during last season's playoff run, the smart, tireless puck-mover will have major responsibilities this winter in Beauchemin's absence.
OUTLOOK: The Ducks are a popular preseason pick to win their first title since 2007. Anaheim has an enviable mix of veteran stars in their prime and up-and-coming talent, and they've improved by one playoff round in each of the past three seasons. With no real question areas and an added urgency after last season's painful Game 7 loss to Chicago at home, the door to a championship is wide open for Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler.
Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
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