Ducks GM Pat Verbeek Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension
Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek Signs Contract Extension
Pat Verbeek, the General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks, has officially signed a multiyear contract extension, confirming his commitment to the team’s ongoing rebuilding efforts. The announcement was made alongside a promotion for Mike Stapleton, who has been elevated to the role of Senior Vice President and Associate General Manager.
Verbeek assumed leadership of the Ducks’ front office in February 2022, following the resignation of Bob Murray amid serious allegations of workplace misconduct. Since then, he has played a crucial role in reshaping the roster, positioning the team for a potential end to a seven-year playoff drought.
Under Verbeek’s guidance, and with first-year head coach Joel Quenneville at the helm, the Ducks are currently third in the Pacific Division with a record of 42-32-5. They are just one point away from first place, with three games remaining in the regular season, making this weekend critical for their playoff aspirations.
“Pat has done exactly as we hoped, having turned the Ducks into what we believe are perennial contenders for the next decade,” said team owners Henry and Susan Samueli in a statement. “We are beyond excited to see the team continue developing into what is already an exciting, winning team ready to take the next step.”
The Ducks have built one of the league’s most impressive pools of young talent, featuring standouts such as center Leo Carlsson, forward Cutter Gauthier, rookie Beckett Sennecke, and defenseman Jackson LaCombe. Verbeek’s acquisition of Gauthier from Philadelphia in January 2024 has garnered widespread praise, although criticism has emerged regarding the decision to trade center Trevor Zegras to the Flyers last summer, especially as Zegras excels in Philadelphia.
In recent years, Verbeek has streamlined the roster by letting go of longtime players like Cam Fowler and John Gibson, which has created opportunities for emerging talent. His most recent move included trading for veteran defenseman John Carlson, who has contributed significantly to the team’s playoff push with 12 points in 13 games.
Verbeek also faced scrutiny last summer when he endorsed the hiring of Quenneville, a former teammate and three-time Stanley Cup-winning coach who had been out of the league for nearly four years due to fallout from the Chicago Blackhawks’ 2010 sexual assault scandal. Quenneville has successfully revitalized the young roster, making them serious playoff contenders and achieving 1,000 career wins this season.
Before taking on the general manager role with the Ducks, Verbeek had a distinguished 20-year playing career, culminating in two Stanley Cup championships. Stapleton, now in his new executive position, previously served as the Ducks’ Director of Player Personnel and Assistant General Manager and has a 14-season history in the NHL.
