Ryan Poehling's MCL Sprain Opens a Ducks Center Job, and Roger McQueen Gets His NHL Shot on the Third Line

The Anaheim Ducks placed center Ryan Poehling on injured reserve with an MCL sprain that will keep him out six to eight weeks, and they recalled 2025 first-round pick Roger McQueen from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL to take his spot. McQueen made his NHL debut Tuesday at Honda Center, centering the third line between Frank Vatrano and A.J. Greer in a 4-2 loss to the Calgary Flames.

Poehling was hurt Saturday against Calgary in a 4-2 Anaheim win. He was tripped by a Flames defender and his right knee crashed hard into the post, moments after he had scored a shorthanded goal that gave the Ducks a one-goal lead.

McQueen's first night

McQueen logged 11:26 of ice time, recorded one shot on goal and did not register a point. That is a typical debut for a young center on a third line: modest minutes, limited special-teams work, and the coaching staff getting a look at how he handles NHL pace.

The 10th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, McQueen played parts of four seasons with the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings and earned the call after leading the Gulls with three goals in four AHL games. He wore No. 95 in his debut, a nod to the Lightning McQueen character from the Cars films, and Honda Center played music from the soundtrack during warmups.

The Flames' win was their first of the season, with Martin Pospisil scoring the go-ahead goal at 15:38 of the third period. Beckett Sennecke and Leo Carlsson scored for Anaheim, and Lukas Dostal made 32 saves.

What Poehling's absence means

Poehling had become a valuable middle-six center for Anaheim, contributing on the penalty kill and chipping in offense, as his shorthanded goal against Calgary showed. Six to eight weeks puts his return somewhere around early December.

That leaves a center opening that McQueen is the first to get a chance at. The Ducks have every reason to give him a real look: they are building around young talent, and a third-line role with sheltered minutes is an ideal way to develop a big, skilled center. If he struggles, Anaheim can return him to San Diego without much disruption.

Fantasy outlook

Roger McQueen: Not a standard-league add yet. Eleven minutes on a third line does not produce reliable fantasy numbers. In dynasty leagues, he is a priority stash if available, because the recall signals the organization believes he is close. Watch whether his minutes climb over the next week or two.

Leo Carlsson and Beckett Sennecke: Both scored Tuesday and are the young core pieces driving Anaheim's offense. Carlsson is the more established fantasy option at center, and Sennecke is a useful winger in deeper formats.

Lukas Dostal: Made 32 saves in a losing effort. Anaheim's defensive structure will be tested without Poehling's penalty-killing, and Dostal's workload, and therefore his save and saves-percentage volatility, will remain high.

Betting angle

The Ducks' center depth is thinner without Poehling, and their penalty kill takes the bigger hit. Bettors should watch Anaheim's games against teams with strong power plays, where the absence of a key penalty-killing center can show up quickly.

Dostal's high save totals are a sign that Anaheim has been giving up volume, which is relevant for totals and for opposing shot props. For the model's daily views on Ducks games, see NHL predictions.

What's next

McQueen's next few games will tell the Ducks whether he sticks. A rising ice-time trend and any first NHL point would make a longer stay likely. Poehling's return is targeted for six to eight weeks out, and the Ducks will have a decision to make about McQueen's role once their veteran center is healthy. Until then, the rookie has a clear runway, and dynasty managers should take notice.