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The Anaheim Ducks‘ 2022 NHL Draft class received high marks after management addressed some needs, notably on defense, and built on what has become an impressive prospect pool. General manager Pat Verbeek, and his scouting staff, earned plenty of praise for targeting players with size, competitiveness, and high ceilings.
Related: Ducks’ Mock Draft 1.0: Improving the Wings
This proficient crop of gamers stands an excellent likelihood to be remembered fondly within the years to come back. Some made super progress within the 2022-23 season, whereas others can be trying to bounce again in 2023-24.
Pavel Mintyukov, LD, Selected in Round 1 (No. 10 general)
Pavel Mintyukov led all Canadian Hockey League (CHL) defensemen in scoring with 88 factors (24 objectives, 64 assists) in 69 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) video games between the Saginaw Spirit and the Ottawa 67’s final season. He claimed the 2023 Max Kaminsky Trophy as OHL Defenseman of the Year and earned a spot on the OHL First All-Star Team. Mintyukov turned the primary OHL blueliner in league historical past to be named the Defenseman of the Month for 3 consecutive months, in October, November, and December.
Mintyukov established a blistering scoring tempo early within the 2022-23 marketing campaign, amassing 16 objectives and 54 factors in 37 contests with Saginaw earlier than being traded to Ottawa. His manufacturing slowed a bit with the 67’s, however he nonetheless averaged over some extent per recreation with eight objectives and 26 assists over 32 outings. He additionally added 9 assists in 11 postseason appearances. Mintyukov already had a fame for creating offense, and he took that to a different degree along with his 2022-23 efficiency.
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It didn’t take Mintyukov lengthy to turn out to be an affect participant within the OHL. The 19-year-old Russian tailored rapidly to junior hockey in North America and was utilized in all conditions by his coaches. He may problem for NHL enjoying time as early as subsequent season since Anaheim has some holes on the again finish. Mintyukov is prone to get an extended have a look at coaching camp within the fall, and he’s additionally eligible to play within the American Hockey League in 2023-24, the place he may work himself right into a starring function with the San Diego Gulls.
Nathan Gaucher, C, Selected in Round 1 (No. 22 general)
Nathan Gaucher was named the winner of the Guy Carbonneau Trophy because the Top Defensive Forward within the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) following the 2022-23 season. He additionally showcased some offensive talent with 22 objectives and 24 assists in 44 video games for the Quebec Remparts. Additionally, Gaucher notched seven objectives and 16 factors in 18 playoff contests en path to a QMJHL championship in addition to two objectives and one help in 4 video games throughout Quebec’s 2023 Memorial Cup victory.
Gaucher additionally received World Junior Championship gold for a second straight event. He displayed loads of versatility whereas enjoying up and down the lineup, which ought to serve him effectively when he makes the leap to the professional degree. He is able to a forechecking defensive function, however he can even play larger on the depth chart. It wouldn’t be stunning to see him spend many of the 2023-24 marketing campaign with the Gulls, however he may additionally get a glance within the NHL in some unspecified time in the future. If Gaucher lands an NHL roster spot out of coaching camp, the Ducks will profit from his 6-foot-3, 207-pound body and skill to win faceoffs.
Noah Warren, RD, Selected in Round 2 (No. 42 general)
Noah Warren posted three objectives, 20 factors and 35 penalty minutes in 2022-23 with the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques regardless of being restricted to only 47 appearances resulting from accidents. He missed the start of the season after present process foot surgical procedure and had season-ending shoulder surgery in early March.
Warren isn’t eligible to play within the AHL subsequent season, so he’ll doubtless spend one other 12 months within the QMJHL to hone his expertise, proceed his improvement and put his accidents behind him. He was traded to the Victoriaville Tigres in June.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound blueliner initiatives to be a shutdown defender as soon as he turns professional. Warren already made an excellent first impression with the Anaheim brass final fall throughout coaching camp, because of his physicality and puck-moving expertise. Former Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins complemented Warren’s superior toolkit and stated the younger blueliner “did everything we would want out of a veteran player” (from ‘Ducks training camp thoughts and observations: Forward lines, injury updates and more,’ The Athletic, Oct. 2, 2022).
Tristan Luneau, RD, Selected in Round 2 (No. 53 general)
Tristan Luneau led all QMJHL defensemen in scoring in the course of the 2022-23 season with 83 factors (20 objectives, 63 assists) in 65 video games for the Olympiques. He captured the Emile Bouchard Trophy because the QMJHL Defenseman of the Year and landed a spot within the league’s First All-Star Team. The 19-year-old rearguard wrapped up the marketing campaign with 15 assists and 17 factors in 13 playoff contests.
Luneau generally makes good choices with the puck and is extremely regarded for his two-way means. He performed in all conditions for Gatineau and made loads of progress after posting 43 factors (12 objectives, 31 assists) over 63 video games in his draft 12 months.
Luneau isn’t eligible to play within the AHL subsequent season, so a return to the junior ranks is probably going. He can be anticipated to proceed his function as a pacesetter for the Olympiques and may compete for a spot on Canada’s 2024 World Junior Championship squad.
Ben King, C, Selected in Round 4 (No. 107 general)
Ben King was sidetracked by a lower-body damage in 2022-23 however nonetheless managed to flex his offensive muscle with 17 objectives and 35 factors in 30 regular-season video games for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He additionally picked up 4 objectives and 7 assists in 10 playoff appearances. King led the WHL with 52 objectives in 2021-22 and completed the 12 months with 105 factors in 68 matches.
The 21-year-old middle isn’t eligible to play within the junior ranks anymore, so he may very well be ticketed for San Diego in 2023-24. For that to occur, King might want to signal his entry-level contract with the Ducks.
Connor Hvidston, LW, Selected in Round 5 (No. 139 general)
Connor Hvidston produced 21 objectives and 65 factors in 59 appearances with the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos final season. He greater than doubled his manufacturing from his 2021-22 rookie exhibiting, which noticed him file 13 objectives and 19 assists in 58 video games. Hvidston concluded the 2022-23 marketing campaign with one aim in seven AHL outings with the Gulls after becoming a member of the staff on an beginner tryout contract.
Hvidston, who will flip 19 in September, is projected to return to the WHL for the 2023-24 marketing campaign. His defensive acumen performed a big half in his choice by the Ducks, however he seems to be growing right into a extra well-rounded, two-way menace.
Michael Callow, RW, Selected in Round 5 (No. 154 general)
Michael Callow registered 21 objectives and 40 factors in 61 video games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League in 2022-23. The 6-foot-4, 181-pound winger possesses robust puck expertise and an excellent shot. Callow is believed to have some sleeper potential, so his improvement with Harvard University subsequent season may very well be price monitoring.
Vyacheslav Buteyets, G, Selected in Round 6 (No. 178 general)
Vyacheslav Buteyets posted 18 wins with a stable 2.11 goals-against common and an excellent .933 save share in 35 video games with Chelmet Chelyabinsk in Russia’s second division in the course of the 2022-23 season. The 21-year-old netminder is anticipated to play within the VHL once more subsequent marketing campaign.
Ducks Poised to Add More Talent in 2023
Verbeek did effectively to construct off the momentum of Anaheim’s 2021 NHL Draft class, which included Mason McTavish, Olen Zellweger, Sasha Pastujov, and Tyson Hinds. The Ducks have been constructing a various prospect pool loaded with upside. The group is anticipated to welcome one other proficient haul of gamers on the 2023 NHL Draft, highlighted by the No. 2 general choice.
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