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Top 10 Prospects: Anaheim Ducks |
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Anaheim has a really good pool, despite losing Justin Schultz and Jake Gardiner the year before. They continue to develop well, and have a lot to look forward to on the backend to compliment Cam Fowler and the growing Luca Sbisa. They have some middling talent pushing for jobs, having shown some success at the AHL and European Pro levels.
1. Kyle Palmieri, Right Wing,
Syracuse Crunch, AHL,
26th overall, 2009
5’10, 190 lbs
Palmieri is a truly gifted skater who has produced at every level. He has blazing speed, and gives it 110% each shift. H has an ability to play a physical game and get under the skin of the opponent, though he'll need to get stronger for the NHL game for that side to translate well. He shows good puck skills, with the ability to finish.
Upside: Top Six Shift-Disturbing Goal Scorer
NHL Comparable: Brad Marchand
2. Rickard Rakell, Center
Plymouth Whalers, OHL
30th Overall, 2011
6’1, 185 lbs
Rakell is on the upswing, having proven me wrong last year. This Swede has exceptional puck skills with some highlight reel abilities. He makes plays well when he has the puck and can put the puck on the stick of his teammates. He works hard and can cycle the puck well along the boards.
Upside: Top Six Two-Way 'Glue' Forward
NHL Comparable: Patrice Bergeron
3. Emerson Etem, Center/Right Wing,
Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL,
29th overall, 2010
6’0, 192 lbs
Etem is an elite skater, there's no doubting that. He backs off defenses, and creates space with his speed. The puck absolutely explodes off his stick, and he can find holes in coverage real well. He shows some hard nosed play in going to the net, and forechecking hard with his speed. He's an inconsistent player at the moment, but when he's hot... he's hot.
Upside: Top Six Goal Scoring Forward
NHL Comparable: Phil Kessel
4. Hampus Lindholm, Defense
Rogle, Allsvenskan
6th Overall, 2012
6'3, 196 lbs
Lindholm is another gifted skater. He moves the puck well and starts the breakout. He tends to play like a fourth forward on the ice, as an option offensively. He can use his strength a bit, but isn't a physical player.
Upside: Top Four Offensive Defenseman
NHL Comparable: Jake Gardiner
5. John Gibson, Goaltender,
Kitchener Rangers, OHL
39th overall, 2011
6’3, 203 lbs
Gibson is a terrific goalie prospect. He cuts down angles and plays extremely calm in net. USA's likely starter in the World Juniors, Gibson was one of the best in the O this past season, if not THE best. He has a good butterfly stance and plays with very little panic in his game, swallowing up pucks.
Upside: 50+ Game Starting Goalie
NHL Comparable: J.S. Giguere
6. Sami Vatanen, Defenseman,
JYP, SM-liiga,
106th overall, 2009
5’9, 165 lbs
Vatanen can really skate. He has terrific mobility, along with his gifted puck skills to dangle like a forward. He starts breakouts and has good vision up the ice. He'll try to engage physically but is just too small and slight to make much of a difference. He reads well defensively and doesn't show signs of being a huge liability, however he shouldn't be expected to log the 'heavy' minutes.
Upside: Top Four Sheltered Offensive Defender
NHL Comparable: Kimmo Timonen
7. Peter Holland, Center,
Syracuse Crunch, AHL
15th overall, 2009
6’2, 190 lbs
Holland began to iron out the concerns over his consistency once he got to the AHL. He's creative with a good pair of hands. He shoots well and is hard to knock of his skates, with scoring abilities. He has an unpolished two-way game, but has room to grow in that regard.
Upside: Middle Line Two-Way Forward
NHL Comparable: Patrik Berglund
8. William Karlsson, Center
Vasteras, Allsvenskan
53rd overall, 2011
6’0, 176 lbs
One of the more unnatural skaters in the Ducks pipeline, Karlsson is known for his creativity and offensive abilities. He thinks the game well, creating plays on his own. He supports his teammtes well and works tirelessly to create plays or break up ones.
Upside: 2nd Line Two-Way Center
NHL Comparable:
9. Nicolas Kerdiles, Center
USNTDP U-18
36th Overall, 2012
6’2, 201 lbs
Kerdiles can play in all situations. Kerdiles it the type coaches love to play. Kerdiles is a good penalty killer, who skates well, and gets in on the forecheck to hit and cause turnovers. He's a pest on the ice, and has enough skill to score, and rack up points. He's not a highlight reel type player, but produces anyways.
Upside: Middle Line Two-Way Two-Way Gritty Center
NHL Comparable: Ryan Kesler-lite
10. Max Friberg, Left Wing
Timra, SEL
143rd overall, 2011
5'10, 194 lbs
Friberg goes into the corner, digging for pucks, and then takes the puck to the net. He shows good knowledge of the game, in both ends, and works hard to make things happen in both ends. He's a bit small, but he plays hard. He's shown some development in his offense, showing some good reads and creative plays.
Upside: Energy Forward with some Offensive Output
NHL Comparable:
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