ANAHEIM – The smart bet for the Anaheim Ducks is begin the process to replace and groom center Ryan Getzlaf’s successor. Getzlaf is 34 and he suffered an injury in March, 2019.
That said, general manager Bob Murray has made it clear that he will select the best player available with the team’s first three draft picks. At the ninth overall selection slot, Murray’s strategy may be sound as the pool of top centers (Jack Hughes, Dirby Dach, Alex Turcotte) may already have been selected.
ProHockeyNews’ predicts Anaheim pick will be Matthew Boldy.
Is he the ideal candidate for Bob Murray to use the first of their first-round draft picks on? The answer is probably no as he is not the player the Ducks need. That said, should Boldy be chosen as a Duck on Friday June 21, there is plenty he can do to step-up the Anaheim play.
Boldy was ranked 25th overall in September, 2018 and has moved up quickly to ranking either ninth or 10th in the past few months.
He is 18 and his 81-point season with the U.S. National U18 Team, including 33 goals and 48 assists, is evidence that he can match the pace of players that are more highly ranked and trumpeted. Boldy can find the net as well as set-up his teammates for the goal.
He was also a leader on the U18 Team, wearing the alternate captain’s “A”. Boldy scored two goals and an assist and picked up MVP honors at the USA Hockey Top Prospects Game.
Steve Kournianos of The Draft Analyst says of Boldy “It’s not often you see a teenage winger literally play mistake-free hockey game after game, but Boldy finds a way to solving his own team’s problems while simultaneously presenting the opposition with a bunch of their own.”
Boldy is committed to the University of Boston for the next four seasons, however, the 6’2”, 192 lb, left winger has the size to be ready for the NHL in the near future. His size makes him a powerful skater, something currently lacking on the Ducks roster.
The Ducks special teams, especially the power play, need to be updated and strengthened. Boldy could be a real asset to the Ducks in this area.
“With the ninth pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the Anaheim Ducks are pleased to select, Matthew Boldy of the USHL National Team U18 Development Program.”
The Vancouver Canucks are on the clock.
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