Our NHL Saturday entry today takes us to Anaheim, where we explore the best players in the history of the Anaheim Ducks—formerly known as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The last of the early 1990s expansion teams, the organization was kind of a joke at first due to being named after a silly kids’ sports movie. Eventually, though, the team became the first California franchise to win the Stanley Cup. Shocker, still.

No. 10: Hampus Lindholm, D—48 PS (2013-2022)

The No. 6 pick overall, he was a bit of a disappointment for the franchise, as he never was an All Star or a serious contender for the Norris Trophy, either. Eventually, the team traded him away. His overall numbers—no seasons over 7.7 Point Shares—aren’t bad, but everyone expected more out of a Top 10 pick. He only posted 21:57 ATOI in 55 playoff games as well, far lower than one would demand of a premium draft pick.

No. 9: Jonas Hiller, G—60 PS (2007-2014)

For an undrafted goaltender, this guy produced pretty well in his career with the organization: 162-110-32 in seven seasons, with one Top 10 Vezina vote finish (2013). He also was an All Star in 2011, the second of three years in a row that he posted double-digit PS marks (34.9 PS combined). Sadly, the Ducks could get to the postseason just three times with him in net, and he managed a 12-12 record there with a .932 save mark.

No. 8: Cam Fowler, D—72 PS (2010-present)

Not only a current Duck, but also another guy who makes his living in the defensive zone: the No. 12 pick overall, he’s made on All-Star team (2017), while never really contending for a Norris—which is odd. His 23:14 ATOI in the regular season is good, though, and he’s upped that to 24:07 across 62 playoff games. Yet he’s averaged just 6.0 PS per season over a long and consistent career … hardly stellar, however, in the end.

No. 7: Paul Kariya, LW—79 PS (1994-2003)

The first true franchise superstar, he was the No. 4 overall pick and had a stellar career with the team: a seven-time All Star (1996-1997, 1999-2003), two-time Lady Byng winner (1996-1997), and a three-time Top 10 vote getter for the Hart (1996-1997, 1999). He posted 669 points in 606 regular-season games and helped the team reach its first Stanley Cup Final (2003). He’s now in the Hall of Fame, so the draft pick paid off.

No. 6: Guy Hebert, G—84 PS (1993-2001)

An original Duck, he joined the team after being an 8th-round pick for the St. Louis Blues in 1987. He’d played just 37 games with that organization before ending up in Anaheim, where he posted a 172-202-56 record for an expansion team. Not bad! He also earned 27 shutouts with the Ducks, helping them reach the second round of the playoffs in 1997. His best season, with 15.6 PS, came in 1998-1999, so he was pretty good.

No. 5: John Gibson, G—85 PS (2013-2024)

More defensive zone guys, as they are dominating this list, especially goalies. This one was a late second rounder, but he played a lot bigger: a three-time All Star (2016, 2019, 2022) and a two-time Vezina Top 10 vote getter (2016, 2019). Overall, he won 193 games for the Ducks in the regular season and 11 in the postseason. The team’s deepest run with him in net came in 2017, where they reached the Western Finals.

No. 4: Jean-Sébastien Giguère, G—85 PS (2000-2010)

The No. 13 overall pick by the Hartford Whalers in 1995, the Ducks were his third franchise by the time he joined them for his age-23 season. But what a score for Anaheim! He made the 2009 All-Star team and was a four-time Vezina Top 10 vote getter (2003, 2006-2008), as well. Yet his biggest stage was the postseason, where he posted a 33-17 record for the franchise, winning two Conn Smythes from us (2003, 2007). Wow.

No. 3: Corey Perry, RW—97 PS (2005-2019)

As a member of the 2007 Stanley Cup champs, this No. 28 overall pick will always be a legend to the franchise’s fans: four-time All Star (2008, 2011-2012, 2016), Hart winner in 2011, and prolific goal scorer (50 goals scored in 2011). He didn’t stand out particularly in the postseason, but he did his job well enough, of course. His best season? That 2010-2011 year when he put up 13.3 PS and scored goals every which way.

No. 2: Ryan Getzlaf, C—107 PS (2005-2022)

He spent his whole NHL career with the team, and as a result, he’s flown a little under the radar in terms of achievement: three-time All Star (2008-2009, 2015) and a Stanley Cup champ in 2007. Not bad for the No. 19 overall pick, right? He posted 1,019 points in 1,157 regular-season games, and he added 120 points in 125 playoff contests. That’s pretty good production for a defensive-oriented organization, as we see above.

No. 1: Teemu Selänne, RW—124 PS (1996-2001, 2005-2014)

In two different stints with the Ducks, he achieved a lot: five-time All Star (1997-2000, 2007) with 457 goals in all or parts of 15 seasons in Anaheim. He also won the Cup with the team in 2007, of course. He had been the No. 10 overall pick by the original Winnipeg Jets, but they let him go to the Ducks at age 25. Oops. Big mistake there: he aded 35 goals in 96 playoff games with this organization. He’s in the Hall of Fame, too.