Okay, maybe tank is a bit strong. They look like they're not ready to buy in for their run just yet. They mostly just sat out free agency. Long term, this is probably a good strategy, but I expect they'll be very comfortably out of a playoff spot again this year.
I could be surprised.
It's easy to forget with the way the season turned out for them, but the Ducks actually started 9-6-0 in the first fifteen games last year, including a stretch where they won six straight and eight of ten. There were some unlikely miracle comebacks that propped that record up, but point being - we have already seen stretches where this group was more competitive, when the key young players were all healthy and playing. They could actually spread scoring across three lines and run with most teams. But then the injuries started to pile up (Zegras, Carlsson, Mintyukov, McTavish, Killorn all missing significant time) and Drysdale was traded for a prospect, suddenly the talent level dropped below a competitive level again.
Gauthier - Carlsson - Killorn (played together in the final game of the season after Cutter signed, instant chemistry. Two top young talents flanked by our most dependable vet winger)
Zegras - McTavish - Terry (shouldn't be anyone who is certain all three aren't capable of producing 70+ points if healthy)
Vatrano - Strome - Fabbri (three dependable [Fabbri health aside] veterans led by Vatrano coming off a 37 goal year)
Regenda - Lundestrom - Leason [Johnston] (there are other options to crack the roster including big Sam Colangelo who looked good in a short debut after signing after his college season. I have responsible Lundestrom flanked by the two 6'5 wingers who are both capable PKers.
It's not a world beating lineup by any means (and the lines may end up totally different for sure) but I also don't think you need a miracle to compete with that group either. Mostly you just need the top young guys to stay healthy and start to fulfill their potential. The goaltending is there, and the defense is solid if unspectacular, depending again on top young guys like Mintyukov, Zellweger, Luneau, Lacombe and how far along they are. Fowler, Gudas, Dumoulin, Vaakanainen make for fine veteran compliments.