How Veteran Alex Killorn Can Contribute Next Season

The Anaheim Ducks projected roster for the upcoming 2025-2026 NHL season is filled with young stars and proven talents, but there is one name that might fade into the background when thinking about the potential of this roster: Alex Killorn.

A 13-year veteran, drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round of the 2007 NHL Draft, Killorn has been quite successful in his career, tallying over 500 points and playing in 950 games. The center/forward spent his entire career with Tampa Bay prior to signing a four-year deal with the Ducks in 2023. 

In 82 games for Anaheim last season, Killorn recorded 19 goals and 18 assists, adding onto his previous season’s total of 18 and 18, respectively. 

Killorn in a game against the Calgary Flames (Photo by Sergei Belski)

Killorn projects to be the starting right wing for the Ducks next season, which will give him plenty of opportunities to score alongside playmaking youngsters like Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. 

Not only will Killorn be a mentor to his two young linemates, but he also projects to be the oldest player on the roster next season, at 36-years old. His 13 years of NHL experience ties him with other players like Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund and Ducks captain Radko Gudas. However, he has played more games than any other player on the roster. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay, recording 27 points across both of those runs. He, along with Kreider and Gudas, have a lot of playoff experience, which is important for the young stars on the roster.

The reason he may fade into the background is due to the plethora of young offensive talent the Ducks have, including Mason McTavish and the aforementioned Carlsson and Gauthier. The Ducks also have proven stars like Troy Terry, Ryan Strome, Frank Vatrano and the recently traded Kreider. 

While some of those names are likely to be the ones in the spotlight next season, and rightfully so, Killorn’s contributions on the ice will not go unnoticed by fans next season. Whether his contributions show on paper, or in his mentorship of the youth, Killorn looks to be a valuable piece to the Ducks puzzle regardless. 

References:

DailyFaceoff.com. Anaheim Ducks NHL Line Combinations. https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/anaheim-ducks/line-combinations

HockeyReference.com

ESPN.com. Ducks agree to deals with F Alex Killorn, D Radko Gudas. https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37944903/ducks-d-radko-gudas-agree-3-year-12-million-contract