They are a bit away. Give the little Pig Farmer some credit. He's been there for three or four years. They have some great pieces. By 26/27 I'd be shocked if that team isn't a wagon.
Verbeek has been there since just before the 2022 TDL. But, Murray wasn't pulling a Holland and trying to make the PO in 2020-2022. He had added 2 first rounders to the pool, but both Tracey and Perreault are gone. Zegras is probably best moved to the wing or traded from how things sound there. Drysdale was traded for Gauthier. They've been worst and 3rd worst in the 2 full seasons under Verbeek.
I do think Ana needs to clear out anyone who doesn't want to finish their current contract as a Duck. Be it Gibson, Fowler, and/or Zegras. They have had plenty of draft capital since missing the PO. 4 extra firsts and a couple of extra seconds at least. Need to begin assembling the team. Cronin was Verbeek's hire and he needs to give him something to work with to get outside the bottom 5. Ducks were 17 points behind Montreal for 5th worst. That's quite the jump to go from 3rd worst to 5th worst.