The championship window for the Ducks was considered big before this season, with most of their core retained from a team that was one win away from the Stanley Cup Final.
But Thursday morning the Ducks figuratively could stick their heads out that window and shout one question: Where do we go from here?
A Game 7 loss at home for the fourth season in a row — 2-1 to the Nashville Predators in the first round Wednesday — forebodes consequences potentially more severe than previous years. The future of Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau is under scrutiny again, and they have a stable of talented young players due to be re-signed amid financial constraints.