The Ducks, who won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and were Pacific Division champions for five straight seasons from 2012-17, haven\u2019t qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for seven straight seasons.<\/p>\n
But similar to the Blackhawks, who had players like Toews, Kane and defensemen Brent Seabrook<\/a> and Duncan Keith<\/a> that led them back to prominence, the Ducks have a young core that is ready to take the next step. That core includes forwards Beckett Sennecke<\/a>, 19; Leo Carlsson<\/a>, 20; and Cutter Gauthier<\/a>, 21; and defensemen Olen Zellweger<\/a>, 22; and Pavel Mintyukov<\/a>, 21.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the whole group here coming into the season had that type of a feeling around themselves, the older guys knowing their existence here is like, it\u2019s time for them,” Quenneville said. “The younger guys, we want to give these guys more responsibility as far as taking some ownership in the leadership department. We\u2019ve given them some captaincies in that regard, included them a little bit more.<\/p>\n \u201cThe opportunity for these guys to take that next step has definitely been witnessed by us already. So, that\u2019s been a good sign.\u201d<\/p>\n Carlsson and defenseman Jackson LaCombe<\/a>, 24, are among those who have been an alternate captain in games this season.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been all positive,\u201d LaCombe said after Sunday\u2019s game. \u201c[Quenneville] brings a lot of energy. He has so much experience that we can learn from and grow from. He\u2019s been great for all of us. We have to give the same effort back.<\/p>\n \u201cI think our whole team is (taking steps). We\u2019re determined to win. Some of these games we just have to come out a little faster, a little sharper and we\u2019ll get better results.\u201d<\/p>\n Kane, who now plays for the Detroit Red Wings, said Quenneville can turn things around in Anaheim.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing about him is, he makes the game simple, right? So, you\u2019re not thinking too much, and I think sometimes that\u2019s maybe the problem in our League a little bit,\u201d he said. \u201cThose guys will be able to play with freedom, they\u2019ll be able to play with, you know, a lot of excitement and flair if they want, as long as they\u2019re doing the right things, right? I think he\u2019ll do a good job there.\u201d<\/p>\n Quenneville probably won\u2019t be shy in moving players around the lineup, using them in situations that may be different for them. In Chicago, he put forward Andrew Shaw<\/a>, a fifth-round pick (No. 139) by the Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Draft, on the first power-play unit. Marcus Kruger<\/a> and Michael Frolik<\/a> were thrown onto the penalty kill and became two of the Blackhawks\u2019 best in that department.<\/p>\n