Prospect Info: 2024 NHL Entry Draft (Ducks pick #3, They didn’t drop! OMG It’s a Miracle!)

[Anaheim4ever]

I think im right with you on our first 3 picks (granted i dont know that elick or emery will slide far enough for us).


That being said i expect us to be pretty aggressive at the draft, there is still part of me that is hoping we can put a package together and move up to get Iginla or MBN

Okay worst case scenario draft day comes (we end up with 4th overall)
1. Celebrini
2. Dickinson
3. Levshunov

what do we do at 4? I know its rare, but do you consider trading down with a team like Calgary(or montreal)

pick 10 + 20 for # 4(maybe we have to add a little here tho)

If trading down still gets them their guy who happens to be Yakemechuck then i'm all for it.
However if they are that high on Yakemechuck then they might not want to risk trading down unless they know the teams in front of them aren't taking him.
Would kind of like to see them move up with the late first too.

 

[Rasp]

If trading down still gets them their guy who happens to be Yakemechuck then i'm all for it.
However if they are that high on Yakemechuck then they might not want to risk trading down unless they know the teams in front of them aren't taking him.
Would kind of like to see them move up with the late first too.

I dont think Yakemchuk gets past Ottawa. They want a RD and Levshunov will be gone by their pick so they will take Yakemchuk.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I dont think Yakemchuk gets past Ottawa. They want a RD and Levshunov will be gone by their pick so they will take Yakemchuk.

Ya If I was to trade down it would be aiming at yakemchuk but he could end up going high

 

[Gliff]

I get the appeal to trade down, but I would much rather the Ducks get their guy then add a late 2nd. Especially when 2-11 could go in any order. Trading down even 1 pick could mean missing your guy.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I think Yakemchuk will get some considerations in the top-10 because of his size and offense. He's 6'3, 194 lbs, and second on his team in scoring with 63 pts in 61 WHL games (26g + 37a). I don't think he'd be a great fit for the Ducks because Yakemchuk's defense isn't solid and we need defense at ES and PK help badly. He's a -3 rating on his team where the team high is +29. And his PIM (penalty in minutes) is 118, third overall in the WHL. If we want pure offense, then get a high end forward with our top pick instead of Yakemchuk.

But if you want a defenseman this high in the draft (the lowest we'll be is 5th overall), then try to get one that looks solid defensively at the very minimum.

 

[lwvs84]

I think Yakemchuk will get some considerations in the top-10 because of his size and offense. He's 6'3, 194 lbs, and second on his team in scoring with 63 pts in 61 WHL games (26g + 37a). I don't think he'd be a great fit for the Ducks because Yakemchuk's defense isn't solid and we need defense at ES and PK help badly. He's a -3 rating on his team where the team high is +29. And his PIM (penalty in minutes) is 118, third overall in the WHL. If we want pure offense, then get a high end forward with our top pick instead of Yakemchuk.

But if you want a defenseman this high in the draft (the lowest we'll be is 5th overall), then try to get one that looks solid defensively at the very minimum.

The draft will be interesting. There is so little consistency after #1, Levshunov has been ranked anywhere from 2-8ish... if we can get him at 4, that might be best case scenario (depending on which scouting reports of him are most accurate). Have the Russian Defector pair as our top pairing for the next decade +.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

The draft will be interesting. There is so little consistency after #1, Levshunov has been ranked anywhere from 2-8ish... if we can get him at 4, that might be best case scenario (depending on which scouting reports of him are most accurate). Have the Russian Defector pair as our top pairing for the next decade +.

Some mocks have SJ grabbing a Russian from Russia in F Demidov or LD Silayev at 2nd overall. And if we're #3, then Lev should be available. If we're #4, then maybe Lev or Lindstrom could be available. RHD's are usually premium, but sometimes a 6'7 D could trump that.

As for a Minty-Lev top line, I'm not for it. Guess I'm old school and prefer an OFD with a DFD. Pairing an OFD with an OFD is like pairing Fowler with LaCombe, it's just not a great match. ha!

 

[lwvs84]

Some mocks have SJ grabbing a Russian from Russia in F Demidov or LD Silayev at 2nd overall. And if we're #3, then Lev should be available. If we're #4, then maybe Lev or Lindstrom could be available. RHD's are usually premium, but sometimes a 6'7 D could trump that.

As for a Minty-Lev top line, I'm not for it. Guess I'm old school and prefer an OFD with a DFD. Pairing an OFD with an OFD is like pairing Fowler with LaCombe, it's just not a great match. ha!

Our trend has been dropping 1 spot when we draft in single digits, I'm guessing we drop 1 again. Luckily, one of the teams ahead of us will be San Jose... who need everything, so they could go with a C if they consider a few guys at the same level or a Russian because they can wait a few years. I think they are both the biggest wild card and have the most work to do in their drafting (they really need BPA where a team like Anaheim could live with a RHD who is not quite as good as the LHD on the board).

For Minty-Lev, I guess it depends on how they develop. It's going to be hard to tell, but if both of them can be 2 way D that can provide offense and be responsible on defense I wouldn't mind having them together. My preference has always been 2 2-way D or one OFD and DFD together (or 2-way with a DFD works too). Basically, I hope we can land a defensive RD in the draft

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Some mocks have SJ grabbing a Russian from Russia in F Demidov or LD Silayev at 2nd overall. And if we're #3, then Lev should be available. If we're #4, then maybe Lev or Lindstrom could be available. RHD's are usually premium, but sometimes a 6'7 D could trump that.

As for a Minty-Lev top line, I'm not for it. Guess I'm old school and prefer an OFD with a DFD. Pairing an OFD with an OFD is like pairing Fowler with LaCombe, it's just not a great match. ha!

Sharks are prob 3 years away minimum from turning it around…. Russian kids might be good for them if they think they are #2 behind celebrini.

As for minty/lev, I think both guys are more 2way dmen rather than OFD. You can play 2 2way guys together and have success. If you believe they lean OFD then we are in big trouble

Minty (ofd)- levshunov(ofd)
Zellweger(ofd) - gudas(dfd)
Fowler(ofd-2way) - luneau (ofd)
I feel like you have to get a defensive lhd(maybe hinds is that guy, or free agency/trade) to eventually replace fowler

 

[AngelDuck]

Dickinson is dominating the OHL as a 17 year old. 6’3” 205 pounds

You know damn well he will be the pick if we don’t get Celebrini

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Sharks are prob 3 years away minimum from turning it around…. Russian kids might be good for them if they think they are #2 behind celebrini.

As for minty/lev, I think both guys are more 2way dmen rather than OFD. You can play 2 2way guys together and have success. If you believe they lean OFD then we are in big trouble

Minty (ofd)- levshunov(ofd)
Zellweger(ofd) - gudas(dfd)
Fowler(ofd-2way) - luneau (ofd)
I feel like you have to get a defensive lhd(maybe hinds is that guy, or free agency/trade) to eventually replace fowler

Yeah Silayev and Demidov will be in KHL thus allowing the Sharks to out tank everyone for Misa in 2025 and McKenna in 2026. They could even take it slow with Smith and have him be in AHL next season. If they are the worst overall team this year, next year and next after that then that is three dice rolls at the #1 pick and each time a 25.5% odds of getting it.

 

[All Mighty]

Dickinson is dominating the OHL as a 17 year old. 6’3” 205 pounds

You know damn well he will be the pick if we don’t get Celebrini

If he were right handed, he would be absolutely perfect for us. Of course he would still be a great pick regardless of his handedness, but it would just mean we might have to move some of our LHD prospects eventually.

 

[GunnarStahl]

Dickinson is dominating the OHL as a 17 year old. 6’3” 205 pounds

You know damn well he will be the pick if we don’t get Celebrini

Levshunov is dominating the NCAA as a draft eligible freshman. 6’2” 210 pounds

You know damn well he will be the pick if we don’t get Celebrini

Silayev is dominating the KHL as a 17 year old. 6’7” 207 pounds

You know damn well he will be the pick if we don’t get Celebrini

Lindstrom is dominating the WHL as a 17 year old. 6’4” 216 pounds.

You know damn well he will be the pick if we don’t get Celebrini

etc.

Unfortunately there is no Eichel, Laine, or similar lock for number two in this draft, the discussion for draft order is going to have to contain many more variables this year and all should expect surprises on draft day.

 

[AngelDuck]

Levshunov is dominating the NCAA as a draft eligible freshman. 6’2” 210 pounds

You know damn well he will be the pick if we don’t get Celebrini

Silayev is dominating the KHL as a 17 year old. 6’7” 207 pounds

You know damn well he will be the pick if we don’t get Celebrini

Lindstrom is dominating the WHL as a 17 year old. 6’4” 216 pounds.

You know damn well he will be the pick if we don’t get Celebrini

etc.

Unfortunately there is no Eichel, Laine, or similar lock for number two in this draft, the discussion for draft order is going to have to contain many more variables this year and all should expect surprises on draft day.

Silayev is not dominating the KHL lol

Lindstrom is not dominating the WHL

 

[GunnarStahl]

Silayev is not dominating the KHL lol

Lindstrom is not dominating the WHL

Silayev leads all defensemen ever in KHL scoring as a 17 year old by an incredible margin, while showing defensive and physical qualities. He is unprecedented.

Lindstrom would be chasing 60 goals as a 17 year old if it weren’t for injury, only Bedard and Catton have gotten over 50 as a 17 year old since 2000. While also possessing debatably the best physical attributes in the draft.

 

[91Fedorov]

I think if we should get #2, our pick should be Demidov. I also think that would be our best case scenario. I just noticed he's a C/RW even though he shoots left. We are not good at drafting impact forwards late. This might be our best chance at getting a real talent behind Terry.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I think if we should get #2, our pick should be Demidov. I also think that would be our best case scenario. I just noticed he's a C/RW even though he shoots left. We are not good at drafting impact forwards late. This might be our best chance at getting a real talent behind Terry.

Ducks forwards with top-6 potential:

Z-Carlsson-Terry
Cutter-Mac-xxx

Note, Verbeek noted that Cutter plays LW, C, and RW. There's a lot of known quantity with this group, with the exception of Cutter. Cutter is a top-5 prospect in the league, though.

A potential scoring RW in our system is Sam Colangelo. He's 6'2, 209 lbs, determined at Dev camp, and ranks 12th overall in NCAA goal scoring with 20 goals. Cutter is first overall with 32 goals.

==========================
Ducks defense with top-4 potential:

LD Minty, RD Luneau

Note, Luneau has a messed up knee due to an infection at the WJC-20 and had to be shutdown. We truly don't know how long Luneau needs to recover or how much he can recover. Recent news has him limping around.

LD/RD Zell might be best utilized at a 3rd pairing D and a PP Specialist. LD/RD LaCombe looked good whenever paired with Gudas, which was 2nd pairing. Of course, everyone looks better playing with Gudas. Zell is playing 1st pairing with Fowler right now, but at RD. LD/RD Hinds is a shutdown specialist as a 2nd pairing in the AHL. Safe to say we have the left side covered. (Note: LD/RD means they're left shooting, but have played RD consistently in juniors/NCAA.)

RD Helleson is just there, not too offensive nor defensive. RD Warren looks to be years away and his play has dropped this year. RD Moore also had his play drop this year. Warren and Moore were dealing with injuries this season. Moore looks to return for his senior season in college, but his college team is Harvard. Havard has had an unsually high amount of seniors not want to sign with their drafting team to either go FA or force a trade. We probably need help at more talented RD's.

It's true we suck at drafting forwards outside of the top-10, but we're lacking a top-4 LD and a top-2RD. Although, getting Demidov would probably make us a "let's see who can score the most" team. Positive thing about Demidov is he is only under contract for more season. Negative part about that is the KHL keeps changing is rules (requiring 6 years service in the KHL with new Russian rules?) and doesn't abide by the IIHF, see Fedotov situation.

 

[Rasp]

 

[Gliff]

My only reservation with Luvshunov is the fact that he is a specimen. He is jacked and doesnt have the body of a freshman. Add in that he is an October baby and I think it's totally reasonable to ask if he will struggle to take the next step once he is playing against men who are equally as strong and also skilled.
Levshunov is even older, a September baby.

Dickinson is probably the best fit for what the Ducks have typically looked for, but he is a LHD. If he was a RHD I think he would likely be a lock for the #2 spot.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

I would pay good money to be a fly on the wall while our scouts debate Silayev vs Dickinson vs Yakemchuk vs Levshunov.

Honestly my gut tells me they may very well have Lindstrom at 2 ahead of any Dmen, despite organizational depth/need. The idea of putting a 6'4 skilled true power forward beside Carlsson, may just be too tantalizing.

Celebrini
Lindstrom
Dickinson/Silayev
Yakemchuk
Levshunov

I think that's where I'm at right now

 

[lwvs84]

I would pay good money to be a fly on the wall while our scouts debate Silayev vs Dickinson vs Yakemchuk vs Levshunov.

Honestly my gut tells me they may very well have Lindstrom at 2 ahead of any Dmen, despite organizational depth/need. The idea of putting a 6'4 skilled true power forward beside Carlsson, may just be too tantalizing.

Celebrini
Lindstrom
Dickinson/Silayev
Yakemchuk
Levshunov

I think that's where I'm at right now

Long term, that's too much money tied up in forwards, though. The Ducks don't need another stud forward, just a complimentary guy. Though, whoever Verbeek deems as the worst fit among that top 6 could be traded for a d-man. Also a decent chance the Sharks pick up a big C to go with Smith as a 1-2 punch down the middle... or go Russian since they can wait several years. They will be the big wild card ahead of us.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

My only reservation with Luvshunov is the fact that he is a specimen. He is jacked and doesnt have the body of a freshman. Add in that he is an October baby and I think it's totally reasonable to ask if he will struggle to take the next step once he is playing against men who are equally as strong and also skilled.
Levshunov is even older, a September baby.

Dickinson is probably the best fit for what the Ducks have typically looked for, but he is a LHD. If he was a RHD I think he would likely be a lock for the #2 spot.

I'm confused with your reservations on Lev. I'm more confused with the highlighted text in your comment.

• Lev
  • NCAA age level : 17 - 26
  • rookie at NCAA level
  • Youngest D on his team, oldest age is 25

• Dickinson
  • NCAA age level: 15-20
  • 2nd season at OHL level
  • Third youngest D on his team, youngest age is 17, oldest age is 20

If you have major concerns about Lev being an October baby while leading his team in scoring and +/- as a rookie, then you must also believe that Adam Fantilli should struggle to take the next step once he is playing against men because Fantilli is also an October baby.

I find it odd Dickinson is being propped up in his 2nd season in the OHL as being more worthy than Lev in his first year in the NCAA, which plays against much older players than the OHL. You could like both defensemen, but prefer Dickinson except you don't like Lev based upon your comment. I like both defensemen, but I prefer Lev.

 

[tomd]

Staying at third, the Ducks actually have a slightly better chance to draft first vs second (11.5% vs 11.2%). Might as well hope for first but plan for fourth or fifth. Second and third or the two least likely options.

 

[Rasp]

I would pay good money to be a fly on the wall while our scouts debate Silayev vs Dickinson vs Yakemchuk vs Levshunov.

Honestly my gut tells me they may very well have Lindstrom at 2 ahead of any Dmen, despite organizational depth/need. The idea of putting a 6'4 skilled true power forward beside Carlsson, may just be too tantalizing.

Celebrini
Lindstrom
Dickinson/Silayev
Yakemchuk
Levshunov

I think that's where I'm at right now

Lindstrom is intriguing because of his size and goal scoring. He would have to play LW so would have less value for us compared to other teams drafting.

The thing that I think makes it unlikely is that Verbeek wants players on their preferred side and has already referred to Gauthier as a LW even though he can play all positions. Zegras naturally would be LW too which fills up the left side. If Lindstrom was a RW then I think its a decent chance we take him.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Lindstrom is intriguing because of his size and goal scoring. He would have to play LW so would have less value for us compared to other teams drafting.

The thing that I think makes it unlikely is that Verbeek wants players on their preferred side and has already referred to Gauthier as a LW even though he can play all positions. Zegras naturally would be LW too which fills up the left side. If Lindstrom was a RW then I think its a decent chance we take him.

I didn't see or hear Verbeek comment on playing natural sides. Seems like more of an issue for Dmen than forwards, yet we've seen a couple young rookie D getting their first NHL action on their off side.

But I do factor that in among the reasons why I sort of can't really picture us drafting Demidov personally. Probably the most talented player I'd be surprised to see us end up with (Parekh perhaps right up there in that regard).

When it comes to Lindstrom, he has that potential "unicorn" factor with the size, physicality offense....I could see falling in love enough to trump organizational fit.