Draft Experts Predict Ducks First-Round Picks

The NHL Draft gets underway tonight with Round 1 at Bell Centre in Montreal. The Ducks are armed with two first-round selections for the third time in the past four years, so before the action gets going, here's what the draft experts expect Anaheim to accomplish Thursday night.

Pick #10

Greg Wyshnyski, ESPN - Connor Geekie, C, Winnipeg (OHL)
At 6-4 and with his skills set, Geekie's skating ability has created some real questions about his eventual place in the NHL -- from in the lineup to positionally, as some believe he could end up on the wing. But he's got high-end skills with the puck. Hey, didn't the Ducks just say goodbye to a 6-4 center recently?
Adam Kimelman, NHL.com - Kevin Korchinski, D, Seattle (WHL)
The Ducks have Jamie Drysdale as an emerging No. 1 defenseman and 2021 second-round pick (No. 34) Olen Zellweger was named the best defenseman in the Western Hockey League this season, but Korchinski (6-2, 185) could be too good an option to pass on here. He led WHL rookie defensemen with 65 points (four goals, 61 assists) in 67 games and his playmaking ability ranks among the best at his position in this year's draft.
Mike Morreale, NHL.com - Pavel Mintyukov, D, Saginaw (OHL)
Mintyukov (6-1, 194) is a creative, puck-moving defenseman with a high hockey IQ and is a strong skater. He's capable of creating a seamless transition and pushing the pace into the opposing end. He was the only OHL defenseman to lead his team in scoring, topping Saginaw with 62 points (17 goals, 45 assists) in 67 games. He also led OHL defensemen with three shorthanded goals.

Scott Wheeler, The Athletic - Kevin Korchinski, D, Seattle (WHL)
I've been told by a couple of scouts that mock drafts too often let defencemen slide and to look out for there to be three defencemen taken in the top-10 in this year's draft (as there usually are). If this year were ordered in a myriad of other ways, that third guy would be Denton Mateychuk for multiple teams. But because the Ducks already have the 5-foot-11 Jamie Drysdale and have likely pencilled the 5-foot-9 Olen Zellweger into the second of their top-six jobs of the future, I'd bet they target the long, smooth mobility of Korchinski sooner than another 5-foot-11 type like Mateychuk (as great as Mateychuk is on both sides of the puck).
Corey Pronman, The Athletic - Kevin Korchinski, D, Seattle (WHL)
Unless someone falls unexpectedly, my best information is Anaheim ends up taking Korchinski or Pavel Mintyukov at this spot, adding a new top defenseman prospect to the organization that just traded away Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson. I have heard Denton Mateychuk's name mentioned here too by team sources.

- Joakim Kemell, RW, JYP (Liiga)
At this spot in the draft, I see the Ducks targeting one of the many quality goal scoring wingers available this year. The thing that likely draws them to Kemell (even if the Ducks haven't drafted a ton out of Finland in recent years) is that he's fairly competitive. Despite a lack of size, he works hard to get to the middle of the ice and his shot is among the best in the draft. How good would Kemell look alongside Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish in the future?
Sam Consentino, Sportsnet - Kevin Korchinski, D, Seattle (WHL)
Dynamic offensive defenceman who has been moved up many lists thanks to the recency bias from watching Cale Makar and Bo Byram during Colorado's Cup triumph.

Pick 22

Wyshynski - Denton Mateychuk, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Assuming they take Geekie or another forward at No. 10 overall, we'll assume the Ducks will go with a defenseman here. Mateychuk loves to get involved in the play. You could see him flying in transition with Ducks like Trevor Zegras for years to come.
Morreale - Isaac Howard, LW, U.S. NTDP
The Ducks get value late in the first round by taking the leading scorer on the talented NTDP U-18 team. Howard has great quickness, instincts and is tenacious on pucks. He'll continue his development at the University of Minnesota Duluth next season.

Kimelman - Connor Geekie, C, Winnipeg (OHL)
Geekie's skating has concerned some scouts, while others believe it's fine now and that as he fills out physically and develops his lower body, it will continue to improve. Adding Geekie here to go with Calder Trophy finalist Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft, could give Anaheim high-end center depth as it moves into a future without the retired Ryan Getzlaf.
Pronman - Jiri Kulich, LW/C, Karlovy Vary (Czechia)
I could see Snuggerud go before 22, but right around this range is where I expect him to become a serious consideration for clubs. He's a strong, skilled winger who competes well and can score goals. You can see him complementing someone like Trevor Zegras or Mason McTavish quite well. I could also see Kulich as the pick here.
Wheeler - Isaac Howard, LW, U.S. NTDP
The Ducks have their centres of the future in Mason McTavish and Trevor Zegras. If they take a D at No. 10 and add them to Drysdale, Zellweger and co. they'll be in a really good spot there too. So a scoring winger makes a lot of sense and Howard, one of the most talented players and slot finishers in the draft, fits the bill. The Ducks take the program's leading scorer for the second year in a row, a year after drafting Sasha Pastujov in the third round when he fell.
Otten - Lian Bischel, D, Leksands (SHL)
While I'm a little skeptical of Bichsel's upside, it seems almost certain that someone will take a chance on him early. The puck skill is a work in progress, but the defensive game shows massive potential thanks to his size, athleticism, and physicality combination. I could see the Ducks favoring someone like Ryan Chesley more here, but something tells me that Bichsel's bigger frame might appeal to them as they look for future defensive partners for guys like Jamie Drysdale and Olen Zellweger.

Consentino - Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
As safe and steady a pick as you will find in this draft class. Reminds me of the very serviceable Nicolas Roy in Vegas.