The Anaheim Ducks are determined to take another step in their interminable rebuilding process

Last season: 27-50-5, 7th place in Pacific Division.

COACH: Greg Cronin, second season (27-50-5).

SEASON OPENER: Oct. 12 at San Jose.

DEPARTURES: RW Jakob Silfverberg, LW Max Jones.

ADDITIONS: C Robby Fabbri, D Brian Dumoulin.

GOALIES: John Gibson (13-27-2, 3.54 goals-against average, .888 save percentage), Lukas Dostal (14-23-3, 3.33, .902).

BetMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 300-1.

The excruciatingly slow rebuild of a once-competitive franchise must continue with almost no offseason talent influx after general manager Pat Verbeek largely struck out in free agency. On the brighter side, Anaheim has an enviable core of top young talent from years of solid drafting, and watching those prospects' evolution could be the only intriguing aspect of this season. The biggest addition could be Cutter Gauthier, the tantalizing 20-year-old forward who arrived last season in a trade from Philadelphia and made his NHL debut in last season's finale. He has been playing on a line with Leo Carlsson, their gifted 19-year-old playmaker.

The good: Anaheim has two NHL-caliber goalies in John Gibson and Lukas Dostal, who looks ready for a full-time starting job. Gibson will ease into this season after an appendectomy, but the Ducks probably will hope he plays well enough to attract trade suitors for him and the hefty three years left on his Bob Murray-era contract. The Ducks' young talent is undeniably exciting, from Trevor Zegras' puck-handling skills to Mason McTavish's pugnacious two-way play. Tough defenseman Radko Gudas will try to boost his teammates' competitiveness as the Ducks' first captain since Ryan Getzlaf's retirement.

The not-so-good: Verbeek's self-described, five-year rebuilding job is simply going very slowly. Their roster is dotted with marginal NHL players and youngsters who would probably benefit from more minor-league time. Their blue line was poor last season, and it could get even worse if Cam Fowler is traded. Anaheim could use improved contributions from its few veteran forwards, particularly Alex Killorn and Ryan Strome.

The Ducks could be transformed if young defensemen Olen Zellweger, Tristan Luneau and Pavel Mintyukov all assert themselves as NHL-caliber blueliners. All three carry massive potential and high expectations, and the Ducks are counting on them to be the defensive core of their future — quickly, please.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

FILE - Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson watches the video scoreboard after the Minnesota Wild scored during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., March 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo, File)

FILE - Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) looks on in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Dec. 5, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

CHICAGO (AP) — Alex DeBrincat scored twice and had an assist, John Gibson earned his second shutout in three starts, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 on Saturday night.

Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist and Emmitt Finnie also scored for the Red Wings, who have won four of five.

Chicago dropped its fourth game in five.

The Red Wings had the run of the ice from the start, jumping to a 2-0 lead in the first 4:35. DeBrincat opened the scoring from the right slot at 55 seconds, then set up Kane for his 498th career goal, a backhand from the right crease past goaltender Arvid Soderblom, less than four minutes later.

Finnie made it 3-0 on a slot rebound at 14:23 of the second, caroming in a saved shot of Lucas Raymond. DeBrincat added an empty-net goal with 3:46 remaining.

Gibson made 26 saves in his 26th career shutout. His best save was against Frank Nazar, without a goal for more than a month, to start the third period. The Blackhawks have been shut out three times in their last 11 games.

Soderblom stopped 20 shots and picked up his sixth loss in 10 starts.

Chicago star forward Connor Bedard missed the game because of the right shoulder injury in the last second of Friday’s game at St. Louis. No diagnosis has been revealed, but he isn’t expected to travel on the team’s road trip to Canada next week.

Rookie Nick Lardis, called up from Rockford of the American Hockey League and placed on the third line, had a couple of offensive chances in his first NHL game.

Red Wings: Host the New York Islanders on Tuesday.

Blackhawks: At Toronto on Tuesday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) and Detroit Red Wings center Nate Danielson (29) chase the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane reacts after he scores a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane scores a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Donato (8) is tripped by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker (25) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)