Draft season, or “SZN” as the kids refer to it, is here. The day circled on Martin Madden’s calendar every single year is only a few days out.

If you’re like me and are a complete draft/prospects dork, you are probably already excited for draft day regardless. If you aren’t quite there yet, allow me to curate your enthusiasm for what could potentially be another big draft for the Ducks.

Thanks to newly-appointed GM Pat Verbeek’s shrewd 2022 trade deadline, the Ducks boast a total of four draft picks within the first two rounds alone going into next Thursday. Two of those four picks lie within the first round: the 10th and 22nd overall selections. This marks the second time in the last three drafts the Ducks will be making two first-round choices, barring any trades between now and July 7th.

I wanted to use this piece to go over some of my favorite options for the Ducks that are very likely to be on the board when the Ducks are on the clock with their 2 first-rounders.

What shakes out BEFORE the 10th pick?

I’m sure by now we are all familiar with the headlining names that sit atop the 2022 draft class. Shane Wright and Juraj Slafkovsky are likely to spearhead the front of the draft as the top two selections.

The general consensus seems to be in agreement on what will happen with the first six or seven selections, and the players I discuss for the Ducks here have been chosen off the assumption that the following seven players will have come off the board by the time the Ducks’ turn comes around at 10th:

Will certainly be gone: Shane Wright, Juraj Slafkovsky, Logan Cooley, Simon Nemec, David Jiricek

Has a chance at dropping but not likely: Cutter Gauthier, Joakim Kemmel

For what it’s worth, if the two players with a small chance of dropping are sitting there for the Ducks, Cutter Gauthier would be my immediate selection.

What most in the scouting realm seem to agree on is the 1st round is pretty wide open after those first seven picks are made. I’d have to say that picks 8-22 could really shake out in a multitude of different ways as it appears draft boards for teams are all over the place. Exciting? Yes! The beauty of it all is nobody knows what the hell is going to happen and that’s just fun.

Another element of uncertainty lies with the Ducks when it comes to who they may value with their picks, as this will be the first non-Bob Murray lead draft since 2009. While in the past it was easy to speculate players that Murray may have favored, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what Verbeek will be looking to add in his first draft with the team.

Let’s dive in!

The 10th overall pick

The Ducks will have a multitude of options when they step up to make the 10th selection. Allow me to explore.

Quick disclaimer: the order players appear in this article is not necessarily indicative of my order of preference, but roughly ballpark.

Frank Nazar - C/RW, USNTDP U18

The Ducks have familiarity with taking USNTDP players in the first round (cough Trevor Zegras cough), so dynamic forward Frank Nazar could be on Anaheim’s radar. Emerging as one of the highest-touted forwards in the USNDTP, Nazar brings a tantalizing combination of speed, skating, vision, and compete-level as well as a bit of underrated defensive responsibility in his game. Nazar has a ridiculously high motor and he never seems to take a shift off. Although he stands about 5’10” Nazar is strong on his skates and has no fear when it comes to pushing through the middle of the ice and driving the pace of play. His smaller stature may raise some questions, but it shouldn’t. He loves to create and there doesn’t seem to be a single scoring chance that he didn’t have his hands all over when on the ice.

Nazar possesses plus-level puck skills and has the ability to cut through defenders with ease. He makes a lot of the “little” plays to go along with high-danger efforts, making him such a threat in the offensive zone. Combine his willingness to create with zero fear to find open lanes to get his quick shot off, you have a player that could fit right in as the Ducks continue to make their transition towards a high-flying, pacey style of play.

Another quality I love about Nazar is that he oozes confidence, not only with the puck on his stick but also with his outlook on where he’ll fit in an NHL roster. During the Combine, Nazar was asked to react to The Athletic writer Corey Pronman’s review of Nazar as a player, where he stated the Michigan commit would make the perfect 2nd or 3rd line center in the NHL.

“Well, I don’t think I’m going to be a 3rd line center,” Nazar assured. Love that. Even though Nazar may have his sights set on playing in the middle of the ice, he is considered a player you can plug in anywhere throughout the top 6.

Kevin Korchinski - LHD, Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL

There is a three-pronged spear of defensemen that should be in range for the Ducks with the 10th selection that will appear in this list. Let’s get to WHL d-man Kevin Korchinski.

Korchinski is arguably the biggest riser of the 2022 class compared to where rankings stood last summer. A little over two years ago, Korchinski stood at just barely 5’10” and 150 lbs and was considered a below-average skater. Fast-forward to today where Korchinski is now 6’2 pushing 6’3, all while being considered one of the better-skating defensemen in this class and a consensus top-15 pick.

Korchinski’s prowess comes both in transitional play and in the offensive zone. Considered an elite breakout artist, Korchinski attacks the middle of the ice without hesitation almost every time he begins a breakout. After drawing defenders in, he possesses a number of tools to combat them. These include one of his trademark cutbacks, sublime puck handling, a creative deke, or a devastating long-range breakout pass that he fires under opposing sticks. His creativity on the back end in the offensive zone allowed him to lead all first-year draft-eligible defenders in the CHL with 65 points in 67 games and shows that he has a top power-play quarterback ceiling as an NHL blueliner.

The issue with Korchinski is that his defensive game does need some work. He is loose in his own end and often downright sloppy at times. This can be fixed, but sometimes these offense-only defensemen can really struggle to find their way. Korchinski is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward option for the Ducks at 10.

Marco Kasper - C/LW, Rögle, SHL

You know that meme going around sports Twitter lately about players that “have that dawg in ‘em”? Marco Kasper is “dawg in him” personified. The Austrian native has been playing for Rögle of the Swedish Hockey League and has wildly impressed scouts with his compete-level and virtual lack of fear in any area of the ice.

Kasper’s play can be described as “violent.” He is constantly throwing hits and never shies away from any physical battle. He engages along the boards without hesitation and often darts immediately to the front of the net whether he has the puck or not. Add this ferocious play style to a combination of great speed and hands, high-quality hockey IQ, and decision making and you get a player that doesn’t have many holes in his game, aside from maybe his overall strength. But he does not quit. Ever.

Other immediate things about Kasper that stood out to me of late are his conditioning and fitness levels. He scored near the top of pretty much all conditioning tests at this year’s combine. His top-tier fitness sees him never stop moving his feet during a shift. Seriously, this kid does not stop moving. This means Kasper quite often gets himself into open areas of the offensive zone ready to receive the puck, if he hasn’t already gone and gotten it himself. Here, he will let off his sneaky shot or well-timed high-danger pass to a teammate. If neither option exists, he wills his way to find one.

Marco Kasper is going to be an NHLer and a useful one at that. He is a player that can be plugged into any area of the top 9 and do anything asked of him. We have heard Pat Verbeek preach about intelligence and competitiveness as qualities he looks for when adding to a team. With Kasper, there could be a nice fit here.

Pavel Mintyukov - LHD, Saginaw Spirit, OHL

Playing at a point-per-game pace as a defenseman on the OHL’s fifth lowest-scoring team is no small feat. Pavel Mintyukov did just that in during his 2021-2022 campaign.

An offensive-minded defenseman by trait, the 6’1” Mintyukov possesses a sizable tool belt both in the offensive zone and with the puck on his stick. Mintyukov is an elite processor of play and is considered by many to be one of the smartest players in the entire 2022 draft class. Whether in transition, breaking out, or navigating the offensive zone Mintyukov is decisive with the puck on his stick. His fearlessness in attacking opposing defenders allows him to be a threat in any area of the ice. Deceptive feints, look-offs, and puck-handling allow Mintyukov to open up lanes for himself to continue his attacking tirade or to open up a passing lane for a teammate.

Mintyukov’s elite IQ, unique puck skill, and willingness to activate off the blueline saw him just miss the 20-goal mark last season. Even with his shot being the weakness in his offensive game, he still nearly bagged 20. His skating is some of the best of the defensemen in his class. Mobility in any direction, quick acceleration, fast feet, and quality edgework in combination with a responsible and active defensive stick allow Mintyukov to bring it in his own end. While his overall defensive game is in need of help, Mintyukov’s extensive toolkit should make that development a smooth process for him under pro tutelage.

Although he is of Russian nationality, Mintyukov should not face the same hesitations as his fellow countrymen. He already has a visa and has been in North America since 2020.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki - RW, Djurgårdens, SHL

If the goal-scoring capabilities of Gauthier or Kemmel are not available for the Ducks, Verbeek could address the organization’s need for scoring with Swedish gunman Jonathan Lekkerimäki.

Lekkerimäki’s shot is far and away one of the best in the ‘22 class and he possesses a lethal shot type for almost any scoring situation. Pinpoint wrist shots, lightning-fast release, one-timers, slapshots, and snapshots are all on display in Lekkerimäki’s shooting arsenal. Just watching him shoot the puck almost says enough about his scoring toolkit. He tends to get the Ovechkin treatment on the powerplay: setting up in the right circle awaiting feed after feed to unleash his wicked one-timer. He is no slouch on the rush, however, as Lekkerimäki is excellent at finding open lanes and marking smart cuts into the slot. He has no problem sending his 5’11” frame careening towards the crease for dirty scoring chances either.

Lekkerimäki has a good bit of speed and agility in his game as well. He was able to blow past defenders on the rush to set himself up for a shot. When he is engaging defenders, Lekkerimäki boasts a sneaky set of quick hands to let him dangle through flailing sticks and skates. He is fairly responsible in his own end also and isn’t afraid to engage defensively.

Some issues with Lekkerimäki come in his movement off the puck and at times his overall processing. You’d like to see him be a bit more active in his movement without possession and be a little more thoughtful with his distribution. He is not the heaviest player and is often easily knocked off the puck by bigger players. Despite these concerns, Lekkerimäki remains a high-ceiling with a 30-goal upside if he puts everything together in his development.

Conor Geekie - C, Winnipeg Ice, WHL

Maybe Pat Verbeek is looking at solidifying the down-the-middle. You already have Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish, why not take a look at 6’4” Conor Geekie to lock down the center corp for years to come?

The skill Geekie possesses with the puck is undeniable as he boasts some of the best hands and puck skills in the class. His hands are just about every adjective in the book: precise, technical, fast, and range-y. Geekie’s long reach adds to his overall puck skill, allowing him to twist opponents. Geekie’s playmaking is the other aspect of his game that truly shines. He is always able to identify passing options even through multiple layers and more-than-likely is going to connect on those passes. Geekie has an immense two-way game. His resilience, ability to play high-leverage minutes, and puck tracking make him wreak havoc in his own zone. His two-way game should transition nicely at the NHL level.

The biggest downfall of Geekie’s game needs to be talked about because it is considerable. His skating needs a lot of work and has been a talking point in the scouting realm this entire draft year. Geekie is certainly not the fleetest of foot, but when he finally gets himself going at top speed his speed actually isn’t bad for a player of his size. Skating can be fixable under the right coaching, the question is will teams want to take that on.

Matthew Savoie - C/RW, Winnipeg Ice, WHL

We have heard Pat Verbeek emphasize adding skill and speed to the lineup, so maybe he takes a look at the other Winnipeg Ice first-round option: Matthew Savoie.

Savoie can absolutely fly. One of the quickest players in the draft, skating is certainly one of Savoie’s strengths. An explosive stride and sharp edgework allow Savoie to beat defenders in races quite often and get himself into dangerous positions before somebody can get to him. Another gift of Savoie’s is that he can execute his above-average puck handling and playmaking skills all while operating at top speed. He gets utilization out of his hands to open up lanes in traffic either for himself to dart into to get his hard wrister off or make a play to a teammate.

Savoie’s speed allows him to constantly be attacking, almost to a downfall at times. Knowing when to back off and let up is something Savoie will need to do at the NHL level if he doesn’t want to get picked apart. Savoie needs to find that middle ground between doing way too much and playing timid… two modes he can often be found playing in. Questions do center around Savoie’s size, as the 5’9” forward will more than likely not be playing center professionally as teams may rather utilize his elusiveness out wide.

Regardless of the concerns, Savoie is a high-ceiling combination of speed and skill that will definitely have teams clamoring for him. Will the Ducks be that team? I don’t know, I’m just a guy.

The Brad Lambert conundrum: swing or gamble?

The biggest enigma of the entire 2022 draft is Finland’s Brad Lambert. A player who was once touted as a clear top three selection in this class has since fallen out of favor for many scouts after a draft year with concerning low production in both league play and internationally, questions about effort and commitment level, as well jumping around teams in the Finnish Elite League midway through the season. Lambert saw little success, decreasing ice time and boiling frustration which has rightfully led to him cascading down draft boards. He can be found in mock drafts going as high as eight and as low as 27. Fun!

However, Lambert remains one of the most highly-skilled, high-ceiling players in the whole draft. The 6 ft. forward can play both center and wing and is considered the best and most fluid overall skater amongst his 2022 peers. The puck handling is other-worldly and the shot is no worse for wear.

Questions have been raised about his hockey sense, though. Often times Lambert overcomplicates plays by abusing his own skill instead of opting for the simpler, timelier play. It can appear sometimes that Lambert is almost too skilled for his own good. This lack in the hockey sense department would more than likely push Lambert to the wing in the NHL.

There is quite a bit of work ahead for the Finnish forward. There is no denying the talent and skill level are all there, but it begs the question if you are Verbeek: do you swing on his talent and upside with the 10th overall pick or pass and reevaluate if he is still sitting there when you come back to the podium at 22?

My thought: I see the upside in swinging on Lambert at 10, but I also wonder if they’ll want to take the safer route to get a sure-fire player at 10 and gamble on Lambert dropping. However, if the Ducks do indeed go with Lambert at 10, one would think they have done their due diligence and believe they can right the ship and I would trust Martin Madden with my life so…yeah.

The 22nd overall pick

As the first round motors on into the 20s, it gets a little harder to project exactly where the Ducks might go. Nonetheless, plenty of solid options will be available coupled with a table spread of variety.

Denton Mateychuk - LHD, Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL

Mateychuk is a thrilling, exciting player. A dynamic offensive defenseman who rarely even plays like a blueliner, there is one word to describe his play and impact on the ice: involved. Seriously, if you don’t believe me, look no further than his average of 150 puck touches per game in the WHL. He is a serial activator that shows no mercy when screaming down the ice like a madman. Skill and mobility combined with being one of the top-scoring defensemen in the WHL show his offensive prowess. Away from the puck, his best defensive work comes in the neutral zone, but he’s a bit shaky in his own end. Fixable, but his game will have to adjust at the NHL level and the recklessness of his play leads some to believe he may drop further than his typical mid-teens ranking.

I am not so confident Mateychuk is there for the Ducks at 22. If he is, I’d have a hard time passing him up.

Liam Öhgren- LW, Djurgårdens, SHL

If the Ducks want to add scoring flair and one of the best shots in the draft at 22, Sweden’s Liam Öhgren could be sitting there. Öhgren’s 2022 campaign was met with astounding point totals. A highly-skilled and intelligent attacker, Öhgren’s J20 season for Djurgårdens saw him amass 33 goals in 30 games to pair with 25 assists. On the international circuit, Öhgren’s offensive production continued as he put up nine points in six games at the U18 Championships. His offensive instincts, combined with his wicked shot and well-timed dekes, prove Öhgren to be a force in the offensive zone. He is not a burner, but he is explosive and can elicit quick bursts of speed to keep pace. He makes few errors under pressure, showing calmness and the ability to make smart passes when being pressed. Great movement off the puck and the capability of high-alert playmaking adds to a toolkit chock full of NHL-needed habits.

One of my favorite choices here for the Ducks. Big fan.

Lian Bichsel - LHD, Leksands, SHL

Pat Verbeek has expressed the desire to add size to the blueline. At a whopping 6’5” and 220 pounds, Swiss defenseman Lian Bichsel could be a player the Ducks have their eyes on. Bichsel has been playing for Leksands in the Swedish league and possesses a game that matches his enormous size and presence. Bichsel is raw, nasty, range-y, and in your face. He’s made his name in his own end, being able to use his massive frame and a long, active stick to win pucks and impose his will on opposing attackers. Never shying away from using his body, Bichsel is one of the meanest hitters in the draft.

Although you are not drafting Bichsel to put up immense point totals, one may be surprised by the showings of speed and power of his feet he displays quite often in his two-way game. He can easily get his gaudy frame moving, and quickly. A fascinating prospect with some real, raw talent to be a respectable shutdown d-man who isn’t afraid to jump into the attack.

Jiri Kulich - LW/C, Karlovy Vary, Extraliga

Czech forward Jiri Kulich is a versatile player who can bring a lot to the table. Well-rounded, Kulich is able to play on both sides of the puck and excels in both special teams units, especially as a power-play threat. He owns a very good shot and some good speed to get himself into dangerous areas. Kulich led all U20 skaters playing against men in the Czech Extraliga with nine goals and 14 points. Internationally, Kulich lit up the U18’s boasting a 9G/11A stat line in just six tournament games. Kulich can regularly win footraces both with and without the puck, adding to his versatility in both ends. He excels at finding soft areas of the ice to get his high-end shot off and isn’t afraid to shoot from the perimeter or drive the net. These types of versatile players that boast some high-quality tools are coveted in NHL lineups. Wouldn’t be shocked to see Kulich go before 22.

Owen Pickering, LHD, Swift Current Broncos, WHL

Another 6’5” defenseman, Owen Pickering is a raw prospect who has an incredibly high ceiling as an NHLer if his development goes properly. Like the aforementioned Bichsel, Pickering is a highly mobile defenseman who gets moving with ease. He ranked in the 85th percentile by transitional data and it would be no shock that the core of Pickering’s game comes from what he can do with the puck. Cutbacks, sprints, and fakes all make up Pickering’s toolkit when trying to shake off defenders while on the rush. He is an excellent distributor in transition, often joining the rush himself after executing a well-made pass up the ice. An up-tempo playstyle sees Pickering getting involved pretty much all over the ice as he is a great reader of the play and makes smart, logical stick decisions when engaging opposing forwards.

There is some clumsiness and sloppiness to both areas of Pickering’s game, so he is definitely a project. But you are drafting Pickering for what he can be at the NHL level with proper time and development, not for exactly what he is right now.

Noah Ostlund - C, Djurgårdens, SHL

You may notice that I now have three Djurgårdens forwards in this article. Lekkerimäki, Öhgren, and their center Noah Ostlund made up the three-headed monster top line that lead the Djurgårdens junior team this season… and I like all three.

Ostlund brings immense skill to the center of the ice. The dynamic, slippery play blended with some of the sharpest hockey sense amongst centermen in this class allows Ostlund to be the adept distributor he is. Coupled with his burning speed, Ostlund’s toolset sees him at the center of the play regularly. Whether it is breaking out on a rush or maintaining possession with ease in the offensive zone, Ostlund makes sure he gets his touches. While not quite at the level of a Trevor Zegras, Ostlund’s hand-eye and puck skills are some of the best available in the first round. Ostlund shows he can play a 200-foot game as well. His goal scoring is not there yet and neither is his strength, and these will need time. With the proper development and proper scoring on his wings at the NHL level, Ostlund could quite easily have 60+ assist upside.

Isaac “Ike” Howard - LW, USNTDP U18

The second USNTDP player to show on my list, Isaac Howard brings a skilled, high-motor playstyle that sees him capable of creating high-danger chances. His comfort with playing with the puck in tight spaces and/or driving the net is already well-developed. He possesses a ridiculous set of hands, which makes operating in those cramped spaces a thing of ease for the slippery forward. His shot is above average, and he is often able to beat defenders either inside or around the outside to bring himself 1-on-1 with the netminder. His creativity and playmaking needs work, as he often deposits passes into empty areas of the ice leading to turnovers. His play is sometimes predictable, which will be sniffed out at the pro level so teams would hope they can influence this area of need.

Howard is committed to Minnesota-Duluth, so he should get adequate work at the collegiate level to sharpen his playmaking and creative tools.

Ryan Chesley - RHD, USNTDP U18

Chesley is the first right-shot defenseman to appear on my list and he is also the only one, as I personally feel at 22 there is not another RHD worth taking over some of the other blueline options listed.

Chesley is an elite skater and an elite defender, boasting a stellar compete level and work ethic. He is a reliable and resourceful two-way defenseman who shows great responsibility in his own and in transition. One of the most active sticks in the draft, Chesley is able to break up plays, steal pucks and start transitions with fluidity. His 6 ft. frame is sturdy and hardly gets knocked off the puck when being forechecked. He has no problems battling at the front of the net and playing with a physical element. His 29 points in 59 games shows that he can contribute on the scoresheet occasionally. He is in constant motion while showing great stamina and involvement. Puck separation is another specialty for Chesley. The University of Minnesota commit could be a nice fit for the Anaheim defenseman pipeline.

Jimmy Snuggerud - RW, USNTDP U18

Closing out the article is the third USNTDP player on my list, Jimmy Snuggerud. Besides owning an awesome name, Snuggerud would bring a player model to the Ducks’ system that they are severely lacking: a big, scoring winger with flashes of playmaking. At 6’2'“, Snuggerud brings size to the wing along with a with a decent set of puck handling and playmaking tools. He understands the offensive game very well, often showcasing himself as an advanced thinker. He is excellent in puck retrieval and can do it in both ends while displaying a good set of defensive tools as a forward. It’s almost impossible to get the puck off his stick, but this is more due to the physical strength of his upper body than it is his overall hands.

Other players of note

Danila Yurov LW, Filip Mesar RW/LW, Rutger McGroarty C, Ivan Miroshnichenko RW, Jagger Firkus RW, Calle Odelius LHD

Thanks for reading! Be sure to let us know your thoughts and what players you are leaning towards at both spots.

A Plethora of Options Await the Ducks in the First Round