The Anaheim Ducks hope that this is their last top-five pick for the next decade. Despite finding themselves in this position yet again, the player the Ducks select at third overall may in fact be the “cherry on top”. The Ducks’ organization does not have any glaring needs. The young core is set.

The Ducks’ pick at third overall represents a philosophical fork in the road. On one hand, the front office can prioritize addressing a perceived need. Right-shot defensemen? There’s a few they could draft at 3. Another winger to avoid a surplus of centers? Also a few of those.

On the other hand, the Ducks could swing for the fences. Take the player with the highest perceived upside, risk be damned. Anaheim has positioned itself in such a way that it could absorb that risk. As previously mentioned, the Ducks don’t have any glaring needs. They have young promising players at every position. This might be the year, if any, where they can swing on a player who they may have concerns about their overall “floor” of talent, but bet big on the “ceiling” of what they could become.

The difficult task of forging ahead with a specific strategy will lay at the feet of general manager Pat Verbeek, assistant general manager Martin Madden, and the rest of Anaheim’s lauded scouting staff. Their decision could have a tremendous impact on the franchise’s future. No pressure.

Ranking the Top 10

For the sake of helping fans understand this draft class, I have taken it upon myself in the last few weeks to watch every publicly available game of the top 10-15 prospects in this year’s draft. In total, I have watched upwards of 70 games in that time span.

Yet, this amount pales in comparison to what a team scout, or even full-time public scouts watch over the course of a draft season. The goal of this project was to get a “feel” for each player, enough to communicate information that might not come across in a highlight package, for example.

Before we get to ranking, another note. This is my own personal ranking. There is no consideration for how the Ducks would view the player in question — just my own (hopefully) unvarnished take on the player. But, to add a Ducks “spin”, I will provide a Ducks player comparison for each prospect, and how they would fit into the lineup. I am aware of the fact that scouts and analysts shy away from player comparisons, but I believe they help fans instantly visualize and somewhat understand the relevant prospect. The comparisons are stylistic — meaning how the prospects play on the ice — not their current or projected impact.

(1) Macklin Celebrini

I won’t spend too much time on Celebrini. He is the locked in number one pick, and there is zero chance he will make it to Anaheim at three. But, it’s worth discussing his game briefly. He is a dynamic, three-zone impact center. Celebrini has no weaknesses in his game.

He can beat the opposition in a multitude of ways. Whether that be with his powerful shot, his elite playmaking, or his powerful skating stride; he can do it all. He is also a very responsible 200-foot center with sound positioning. Though he isn’t in the Connor McDavid/Sidney Crosby prospect stratosphere, he is a franchise-level player and will be the conerstone of the Sharks’ rebuild.

(2) Cayden Lindstrom

Headline: Elite power forward with speed.

Ducks Comp: Ryan Getzlaf-sized, but a faster skater and willing to shoot.

This is where the ranking really starts. Cayden Lindstrom is the total package in a prospect: size, skill, and plenty of development runway. He wasn’t even playing elite level hockey until his draft minus one season, having never played AAA hockey.

Lindstrom can dominate a game in multiple ways. He can blow by the opposition in the neutral zone using his own speed, or by creating speed differentials (building up a head of steam before receiving a pass.). That allows him to get great rush opportunities, where he has a bullet of a shot and the hands to finish off plays.

Where Lindstrom really shines, though, is on the cycle. He leverages his frame to win board battles, but has the stickhandling ability to then get off the wall and create plays either for himself or his linemates. There are times where he overhandles, or doesn’t make the optimal choice, but given how little high-level hockey he’s played relative to his peers, there is plenty of room for him to develop his reads and mental game in the coming years. And despite already being physically imposing, there’s still room for him to fill out.

The concerns about his back injury shouldn’t be dismissed flippantly, but all the reporting suggests that there shouldn’t be any lingering effects. That remains to be seen, but the upside is just so great on Lindstrom that it’s worth the gamble.

Ducks Fit: Lindstrom would be a fantastic addition to the Ducks pipeline. He gives them another legitimate center prospect, and the possibility of a Carlsson-Lindstrom 1-2 punch down the middle for the next decade should get anyone excited. But, given Anaheim’s bevy of centers, he could just as easily fit in on the wing. His elite wall play would allow him to thrive there, and a Lindstrom-Carlsson-Gauthier line would be must-see TV.

(3) Ivan Demidov

Headline: The best hands and playmaking in the draft, bar none.

Ducks Comp: Trevor Zegras, but even more skilled.

Ivan Demidov is a lot of folks’ favorite player in this draft, and with good reason. There simply is not a more exciting prospect in the class. Even through grainy MHL footage, he can leave any observer having to pick their jaw up from the floor. His ability to manipulate defenders using his hands and feet is simply unparalleled among his peers.

Demidov has the flashy puckhandling, yes, but he’s able to leverage that skill into creating passing lanes for himself, which he’s then able to zip perfectly timed and weighted passes through, whether they be on his forehand or backhand.

The skating is unconventional, with little use of his outside edges, either on tight turns or punch stops, but his mohawk stride and corkscrewing pivots allow him to spin off of pressure along the wall and survey the ice before making his next move. His shot is quick and accurate as well, giving him yet another tool in the toolbox to terrorize his opponents with.

The million dollar question: will it translate? As good as Demidov is, he spent almost the entire season in Russia’s junior league, where the talent level on any given night is extremely inconsistent. That’s through no fault of his own, either, as he looked capable in limited KHL action, showing some pro-level detail and competitiveness. The unconventional skating mechanics also create some doubt as to how well he can separate in the NHL.

Unfortunately, he’s a victim of his own success and circumstances in this ranking. The skill level is absolutely tantalizing, but without consistently seeing it against higher competition, it’s tough to fully commit. Still, number three is a great spot, and he arguably has the highest offensive upside in the draft.

Ducks Fit: Demidov would fit like a glove on the Ducks. It would be one hell of a ride to see Greg Cronin try to get him to play Greg Cronin style hockey. He would also give them a true power play dynamo as someone that they could run everything through, which they have truly lacked in recent years.

(4) Berkly Catton

Headline: Playmaking center with a great shot.

Ducks Comp: An affluent man’s Andy McDonald.

Berkly Catton lit the WHL on fire this season, to the tune of 54 goals and 116 points in 68 games as a 17-year old. He did it using translatable skills: creating speed differentials through the neutral zone, changing angles on his shot, and manipulating defenders before firing cross-ice passes. Though not blessed with runaway speed, Catton has the agility to maintain possession of the puck, and the mechanics to speed past flat-footed defenders.

Catton’s shot is also a weapon for him, as the 54 goals would suggest. He has a great twitch on his release, and as previously mentioned, he looks for ways to change its angle whenever possible. The drawback with Catton is the lack of elite physical tools. At 5’ 10”, 175 pounds, he will need to add significant strength to be able to translate his skills to the NHL level.

Right now, he can be pushed off of pucks, and that will have to change. His skating, though not a weakness, can also stand to add some explosiveness. There were also concerns about how much his production was influenced by his outsized role in Spokane, but I’m not going to sit here and hold 54 goals against him somehow.

Still, the best-case scenario for Catton remains tantalizing. If he can shore up his physical deficiencies and his defensive game, there is a potential first-line center waiting to be uncovered. Even if he doesn’t hit that all the way, he has the reads and the skill level to be an effective top-six forward in the NHL. I’m betting on the upside here.

Ducks Fit: Catton almost surely won’t be considered by the Ducks due to his size. But, if shifted to the wing, he would add a nice dose of creativity in the Ducks lineup, and give them a great option for their ailing power play. Catton loves to look for the cross-ice pass on the power play, something the Ducks don’t do nearly enough. With his ability to read the game, he could also complement any of the other high-skilled forwards nicely.

(5) Artyom Levshunov

Headline: Smooth Skating Two-Way Defenseman

Ducks Comp: Hampus Lindholm with an offensive mind.

Levshunov had 35 points in 38 games as a freshman blueliner at Michigan State, two years removed from playing in the unheralded Belarusian junior league. At his best, Levshunov is the poised, stable puck-mover that every championship team needs. There might not be a more divisive player in the draft, though. Some see him as the clear cut best defenseman of the class, while others rank him outside of the top 10. For my money, he has all the tools to be an effective top-pairing defenseman for years to come.

At 6’ 1.75”, 205 pounds, Levshunov already has NHL size, and when he wants to, he can dole out the punishment through heavy bodychecks in his own zone. His skating is fluid, showing the mobility needed to shut down opposing rushes. He has a hard shot, and the hands to get around defenders. In addition, he doesn’t shy away from joining the rush to help create offense.

There is plenty of work to get Levshunov to the NHL. His consistency isn’t where it needs to be. At times, his own poise gets the best of him, as he makes cavalier decisions with and without the puck in his own zone. His offensive game lacks some fluidity as well.

Still, the upside is there. Given how little high-level hockey Levshunov has played, it feels like he’s barely scratching the surface of his potential. Get him in the right development program, and there is top-pairing, PP1 potential.

Ducks Fit: Levshunov is the cleanest fit of this year’s blueliners. As a right shot defenseman, he sidesteps the pile-up on the left side. The Ducks also don’t have a D-man who plays like him, so he would bring a nice change-up to the Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger fastballs. He plays a more methodical game, but has the offensive mind to keep up with them.

(6) Zeev Buium

Headline: Dynamic Puck Rushing Defenseman

Ducks Comp: Sami Vatanen with way better skating.

Buium, like Levshunov, had an outstanding freshman season in the NCAA, winning a national championship with Denver University and registering 50 points in 42 games. Buium can do it all on the ice. His breakout game is one of the best in the class, with some exquisite slip passes through layers of forecheckers. He also loves to dance at the offensive blueline, using his excellent edge work to weave his way into an advantageous position.

Buium isn’t all flash, though. Although not small, at 6-foot, 186 pounds, he has to fight for his ice, and he is a willing combatant. His competitiveness in front of his own net and along the boards is admirable, but not overzealous, either. He is very close to being NHL ready.

But, Buium’s four-way mobility gives me some pause. He doesn’t have the backwards skating speed or agility to be a true shutdown guy off the rush yet, and he doesn’t have the pull-away speed in his forward stride to bail out of sticky situations on the breakout. That should improve with time, but it does feel like Buium is closer to his ceiling than say a Levshunov is, for example.

Ducks Fit: Buium is a southern California native, and he has said that In-N-Out is his favorite cheat meal (double double/grilled onions/chili peppers with extra spread animal fries.) I’m not sure what else there is to say. In all seriousness, Buium would give the Ducks another excellent two-way defenseman on their blueline, and a guy who seems really driven to win. Yes, he is a left-hand shot, but you figure that part out later when drafting him.

(7) Beckett Sennecke

Headline: Explosive Puckhandling Wizard

Ducks Comp: Bobby Ryan, but with skating

Sennecke is arguably the most entertaining player in the draft after Demidov. The classic “late riser”, with a meteoric ascension in the second half of the season, posting 22 points in 16 games in the OHL playoffs, Sennecke has earned the hype around him. At 6’ 2”, he can manipulate and evade defenders with ease thanks to his elite set of hands. It doesn’t matter how many players are in front of him; Sennecke will try to go around them all — and often succeeding.

It’s not just the hands, though. Sennecke also has incredible vision off the rush. Sometimes, it feels like he has eyes on the back of his head with the type of passes he’s able to connect on. He uses his long reach and puckhandling ability to attack the middle of the ice, creating passing lanes for his linemates in the process.

There isn’t much to quibble with in Sennecke’s game. The physical maturity isn’t there yet, and some of the defensive details are lacking. There’s also the question of whether he will be able to translate his highlight reel skill at the highest level. Even if he doesn’t though, it feels like there’s a solid top-six winger to be had who can complement a playmaking center.

Ducks Fit: Sennecke would fit in seamlessly in Anaheim. Verbeek has said he wants to add a right-shot top-six winger, fitting Sennecke to a tee. Give him a year or two of development, and he could become that dynamic winger who can make good on a Leo Carlsson pass.

(8) Tij Iginla

Headline: Sniper with a Motor

Ducks Comp: Ondrej Kase with top-six skill

Iginla is a work horse in the offensive zone. He’s always staying close to the action, and when he has the puck, he fights like hell to keep it and make magic happen. He did that quite a few times this season, to the tune of 47 goals in the WHL. He’s been on a steady rise since his draft minus one season, improving in that skyward trajectory that scouts love.

Iginla’s wall play stands out. Like Lindstrom, he excels at protecting the puck along the wall, only to then attack the middle of the ice. His hands are quick enough to where he can beat defenders fairly consistently. Then, his quick, strong shot release does the rest of the work. The key with this shooting is he’s already so good at getting open. He has an understanding of time and space away from the puck that is rare in this top 10.

As good as Iginla is, though, there are often times where it feels like he’s trying to do too much. He has great offensive ideas, without the skill to execute them. Maybe he gets there one day. The rate at which he’s improving would certainly suggest that. But right now, it feels like he’s lacking a bit of that true high-end offensive potential to rank any higher. The floor feels very safe though, and he easily projects as a solid top-six winger in the NHL thanks to his habits.

Ducks Fit: Iginla would be a great fit on the Ducks. He would give them that productive physicality along the boards, which would allow the others to get more pucks funneled to them in the middle of the ice. Couple that with his off-puck shooting game, and you can easily envision him as a perfect complementary piece in Anaheim.

(9) Zayne Parekh

Headline: Dynamite Offensive Defenseman

Ducks Comp: No comps. He’d be a unicorn in Ducks history. (Maybe a more offensive Mintyukov?)

Parekh is the biggest wild card in this top 10. There is a non-zero chance he is the best defenseman to come out of the draft. He is the best playmaker of any of the defensemen, by far. Thanks to his well-charted mental map of the ice, he can fire off perfect cross-seam passes in the offensive zone at a moment’s notice. He has the stickhandling ability to break through layers of defenders, and then cap off the play either with his shot, or his passing.

The breakouts are joy to watch. He deftly evades oncoming pressure, and has all the passes you would want in a top pairing defenseman: slip passes, long range bombs, reversals, or the simple five to ten foot pass. Thanks to his edgework and timing, he’s able to spin off of forecheckers with ease.

The defensive game will be the deciding factor for Parekh’s NHL upside. His frame remains undeveloped, and he can struggle at boxing out bigger, stronger opponents at the net-front. Board play in the defensive zone remains an issue as well.

The lack of power in his skating also makes it harder to chase down forwards, as he often settles for a diving poke check. But, there is hope there, as he showed flashes throughout the season of strong rush defending, demonstrating that he has a defensive foundation to work off of. The risk is there with Parekh, but so is a massive reward.

Ducks Fit: Parekh would be a fascinating fit for the Ducks. As a right-shot defenseman, he would avoid the logjam on the left, and would give them a true power play quarterback. As good as Mintyukov and Zellweger can be in that spot, Parekh could be even better. He’s not a “Verbeek guy” by any means, but there’s a case that he could be a great addition to the back end.

(10) Sam Dickinson

Headline: Reliable Two-Way Defenseman

Ducks Comp: A bigger, stronger Cam Fowler

There might not be a safer pick outside of Macklin Celebrini than Sam Dickinson. The London Knights defenseman has the prototypical NHL build with his size (6’ 2.75”, 203 pounds) and skating ability. The skating is damn near flawless. He gets around the ice effortlessly, pivots seamlessly, and is able to turn on a dime. It might lack that high end explosiveness, but mechanically, it’s all there.

Dickinson’s playmaking is where the question marks begin. He had 70 points in the OHL this season, a great number, but there does seem to be a lack of pop in his offensive game. He can make the right read, and even sometimes the best read, but his decision making often feels mechanical, almost like a hockey robot on the ice. The shot can be quick and accurate, but it’s not high end.

The floor here is so safe, though, that it’s really difficult to rank him any lower. If Dickinson can improve his play with the puck, he has the chance to be an elite top pairing defenseman. If not, he still comfortably projects as a top-four defenseman on a good team.

Ducks Fit: Like Buium, it’s not the cleanest fit as a left-shot defenseman. But Dickinson would provide that steadying defensive presence with size and mobility that the Ducks just don;t have on their blueline at the moment. He also played on his off wing a bit in London, so perhaps he can slot in next to a Zellweger or Mintyukov. He would make the blueline corps better and deeper, unquestionably.

Ranking players is hard. Trying to do it myself gave me a new level of respect for the people who do this for a living. Special thanks to the people who upload prospect footage online, and to the wealth of prospect content creators out there. There has never been a better time to be a fan of prospect coverage.

Enjoy the draft, everyone.

2024 NHL Draft: Top 10 Prospects