For the Anaheim Ducks, 2007 will always be a historic year. Not only did they win their first-ever, and only so far, Stanley Cup that year, but they also became the first California-based team to do so. Along with that, the Ducks’ triumph also brought the Stanley Cup to the West Coast for the first time since 1925. But one would be hard-pressed to speculate: If that was the peak for the Pacific Division giants. In the years that followed, Aaheim has struggled to relive its glory days, and this year hasn’t been much different.

With a 35-37-10 record and 80 points in the 2024-25 regular season, the Anaheim Ducks have missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the seventh year straight. Naturally, it’s another season of heartbreak for the Anaheim fans. Considering the franchise’s recent form over the years, there also isn’t much to be hopeful about for next season either, as many would posit. However, recent news suggests they’ll have at least something to look forward to for the next season.

In an X post by The Sporting Tribune’s Zach Cavanagh from April 29, the Honda Center’s new renovation plans have been shared. Formerly called the Anaheim Center, the building is set to undergo major development. “Ducks owners the Samueli Family invest $1 billion for privately funded renovation of Honda Center,” Cavanagh’s social media update notes. The restoration will include the addition of elevators, a “New South Entrance for “grand arrival experience” with high-impact digital display,” and restocked food and beverages.

The Honda Center is the fourth-oldest NHL arena and has hosted some of the biggest stars from all walks of life, including Barry Manilow and Justin Timberlake. However, the stadium is starting to show its age, as accommodating larger crowds and A-listed stars is becoming increasingly difficult. With that in mind, microchip tycoon Henry Samueli, the current owner of the Anaheim Ducks, has made plans to make the Honda Center the centerpiece for a massive 100-acre entertainment district, which will reportedly cost $4 billion.

Along with the entertainment district, set to be called OCVibe, Samueli will also personally invest $1 billion in the renovation of the Anaheim Ducks’ home venue. However, the stadium’s renovation will start immediately, even though the proposed OCVibe still has to sort through the finer details. “It’s due for a major upgrade, and we think we shouldn’t wait until OCVibe is built and it’s desperately needed,” said Samueli’s holding company,  OC Sports & Entertainment, in an official statement, noting that this is going to be an investment with the next three decades in mind.

What brought about this incredible investment, you might think? Well, we might know the answer!

A double win for the Anaheim Ducks?

The American NHL coverage has been steadily declining. With that in mind, many franchises have been dabbling with RSNs (regional sports networks), national broadcast possibilities, and over-the-air to find ways to get their digital viewership numbers higher. While most are yet to find success with the experiments, the Anaheim Ducks, along with a few others, seem to be headed in the right direction already.

The Ducks recently moved from their longtime RSN partners, FanDuel Sports Network SoCal, to a new hybrid model of over-the-air (KCOP) and Victory+, and have almost instantly seen an almost 6,000 jump in digital viewership. That’s an almost 75% jump in their home audiences! A massive victory, undoubtedly, especially when franchises like the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers are struggling to draw their fans to the TV. Moreover, considering the fact that the Ducks’ fanbase has not ceased to rally behind the team despite Anaheim missing the playoffs this year again, one would believe that the Honda Center’s renovation plans are Samueli’s way of thanking the loyalists.

But can the better viewership numbers and the restored Honda Center be able to make the locker room feel motivated for next season? Can the OCVibe entertainment district be the place to house the Stanley Cup in the near future? Tell us your thoughts in a comment!