READING, PA – The Anaheim Ducks come into the upcoming NHL Entry draft with few holes but in need of upgrading the team’s depth, especially with the inevitable departures of Teemu Selenne and Scott Neidermayer on the horizon. The Ducks offense was ranked 7th and the defense 22nd, while the Ducks power play ranked 5TH and the penalty killing unit was ranked 24TH and 27TH on the face-offs. Bobby Ryan led the team in goals with 35 while Teemu Seleanne and Corey Perry pumped in 27 each. Five players had 10 or more.
Most of the team’s offense came from right wingers (3) and centers (2), with three defensemen were ranked 6-8 in offense. The team needs to get some help at left wing and at the goaltender position.
Left wing is probably the team’s highest need but it doesn’t necessarily mean the team will draft one with the first of their two first round picks thanks in part to the Chris Pronger trade. IF they decide to go LW Quinton Howden had 28 goals for Moose Jaw this year or they could go with John McFarland from Sunbury (OHL), but there are less questions surrounding Howden than McFarland.
The Ducks could also go overseas for help on left wing. Ludvig Rensfeldt is a pure goal scorer having scored a combined 50 goals in 81 games this year in every possible league and competition imaginable. The Rensfeldt might not get the press some other top prospects are getting but it would be a mistake for any club to pass on him and the Ducks have to question if he will be there at the end of the first round when their next pick is taken at 29 or 30 depending on how the Flyers finish their season.
The other pressing need for the Ducks is at goaltender. Most scouts feel that Jack Campbell or Calvin Pickard will be taken in the first round. The Ducks lack a top goaltending prospect. Jonas Hiller had a solid year but if the Ducks feel that he is not the answer down the road the Ducks will need someone they feel could be.
Anaheim could thank or curse the Flyers depending on your point of view but you can bet the Ducks would have preferred that Philly not make the playoffs and use both picks in order to move up in the draft or at least trade one of their picks for help at either position.
Our gut feeling her is the Ducks will move one of their picks but most likely the pick from the Flyers and could send it back to Philly since the Flyers don’t have first round pick (Can you say Scott Hartnell and a third round pick?).
Still, our mock draft can’t assume trades will be made so the Ducks will most likely have to choose between Howden, Campbell or Rensfeldt come draft day. I really is a tough call to make but those players will be there at 29 or 30 so left wing appears to be the more pressing need. Howden and Rensfeldt have some question marks but both should go somewhere between 15-27, but Campbell doesn’t have the kind of question marks the other two have. With two first round picks, the Ducks can afford to take a chance.
“With the 12th pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Anaheim Ducks select, from the United States developmental program, goaltender Jack Campbell.” To learn more about Jack Campbell click on his name.
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
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