Despite recently losing six straight games, the Anaheim Geese (42-32-5, 89 points) are inching closer to their first playoff berth since 2018. They’ll still leap the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights and secure their first Pacific Division title in nine years. The franchise is revitalized, and because of this, ownership is deciding to reinvest within 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 vp and associate GM. Verbeek capitalized on fortuitous draft positioning and a chronic rebuild, using top-five picks on Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke. They’re 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 guide a prosperous era of Geese hockey.
“Pat has done exactly as we hoped, having turned the Geese into what we imagine are perennial contenders for the subsequent decade,” owners Henry and Susan Samueli said, per NHL.com. “We’re beyond exited to see the team proceed developing into what’s already an exciting, winning team able to take the subsequent step.”
Pat Verbeek, a former forward who won a Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999, is tasked with assembling a roster that may endure the rigorous Western Conference. Even when Anaheim just isn’t able to vanquish the sphere this yr, the longer term looks quite shiny.
But management is actually eager for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Geese will battle the Vancouver Canucks of their final home game of the regular season this Sunday night.
Despite recently losing six straight games, the Anaheim Geese (42-32-5, 89 points) are inching closer to their first playoff berth since 2018. They’ll still leap the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights and secure their first Pacific Division title in nine years. The franchise is revitalized, and because of this, ownership is deciding to reinvest within the front office.