On the Clock Again: Potential Prospects Available to Anaheim at Pick #22

The Ducks will have the opportunity to add two talented prospects to the club's emerging young core at tomorrow's NHL Draft.
Anaheim is up first at pick #10, and we already took a look at potential options for GM Pat Verbeek and co. when they first take to the stage in Montreal.
Now, let's dive further to see what the Ducks can expect when they're back on the clock at pick #22 through the eyes of international draft experts.

Isaac Howard

Position: Left Wing
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #9 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (U.S. Development Program): 33 goals, 49 assists, 82 points in 60 games played
Howard is a tantalizing prospect who will surely have some bright hockey minds across the industry divided. On one hand, he's an exceptionally creative player, dangerous from anywhere in the offensive zone and a power-play weapon. On the other hand, he's an undersized winger with questions about his defensive prowess. The big question for evaluators to decipher: will his offensive skillset carry him to the NHL?
"He's creative. He tries things (occasionally at the offensive zone blue line that he shouldn't but gets away with) and usually executes," The Athletic's Scott Wheeler said, placing Howard tenth in his final pre-draft rankings, well above most industry experts. "I'm a big believer in Howard. He's lethal in the home-plate area and has some of the better hands and instincts in the draft. He's always going to have PP utility but he's also impactful enough offensively at five-on-five to warrant a top-six projection, even if he doesn't have the premiums of size or position."

Nathan Gaucher

Position: Center
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #16 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (QMJHL): 31 goals, 26 assists, 57 points in 66 games played
Gaucher is a classic old-school power forward, a 6-foot-3 center who drives the net, battles in the corner and overpowers opponents with his size and strength. Like many big, physical young players, there are questions about his skating and how he will perform at the next level against other big bodies, but Gaucher's well-rounded game could make him a target for teams needing a center prospect.
"Gaucher is a skilled and competitive center," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote. "He possesses a bulky 6-foot-3 frame and is a physical player which allows him to win a lot of puck battles. Gaucher creates a lot of offense around the net due to his physical tools."

Rutger McGroarty

Position: Right Wing
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #22 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (USDP): 35 goals, 34 assists, 69 points in 54 games played
A well-rounded winger lauded for his maturity, hockey IQ and work ethic, McGroarty served as the U.S. National Team Development Program's captain this past season. McGroarty utilizes an awkward-looking skating stride which may keep him from climbing on draft day, but the Nebraska-born forward can contribute on special teams, has good hands around the net and shows a competitive drive that makes him relentless on pucks in the offensive zone.
"His shot and hockey sense are NHL caliber, and his coach compared him to New York Islanders forward Anders Lee," NHL.com's Adam Kimelman said, projecting McGroarty as a late first round pick. "McGroarty's skating also got better from last season to this season, and projects to keep improving as he continues to develop physically."

Jagger Firkus

Position: Right Wing
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #12 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (WHL): 36 goals, 44 assists, 80 points in 66 games played
Firkus' track to the NHL Draft largely mirrors the path current Ducks prospect Brayden Tracey took en route to becoming a first-round selection in 2019. Like Tracey, Firkus was a mostly unheralded prospect after going 82nd overall in his WHL Bantam Draft but, again like Tracey, a dominant season with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors opened the eyes of talent evaluators across the sport. Some experts now believe Firkus has the best shot in the draft class.
"Firkus' skill and creativity stand out consistently," Pronman said. "He shows great ability to beat defenders one-on-one with his stickhandling. He can make tough passes at a high rate through seams and under pressure. He is a shot-and-pass threat which makes him a major asset on a power play and often scores from range with a release that will beat NHL goalies."

Owen Pickering

Position: Defense
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #15 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (WHL): 9 goals, 24 assists, 33 points in 62 games played
One of the smoothest skaters in the draft class, Pickering doesn't offer the high-end offensive skillset of some other blueliners, but his mobility should allow him to transition effectively to the professional level. He's thin (178 pounds) but has NHL defenseman height (6-foot-4) and could grow into a quality complementary defenseman for his NHL club.
"Pickering's ascent has been quick, and thus there are some raw aspects with his play with the puck and overall consistency," Pronman said. "He projects as a second or third pair defenseman depending on how much the offense translates."

David Goyette

Position: Center
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #13 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (OHL): 33 goals, 40 assists, 73 points in 66 games played
Another late rising player, Goyette shot up from #35 in NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking to finish at #13 heading into the draft. He made his OHL debut in 2021-22, posting 73 points in 66 games and earning a place on Canada's U-18 team. He's an impressive skater but some evaluators think his game needs more balance to reach the next level.
"[Goyette] is among the best skaters in this year's draft," Kimelman wrote. "He can execute at top speed and finished the season strong with 57 points (29 goals, 28 assists) in his final 45 games."

Ryan Chesley

Position: Defense
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #18 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (USDP): 12 goals, 17 assists, 29 points in 59 games played
Chesley looks the part of a future NHL defenseman. He has NHL size (6-0, 201), skates well and has a prolific one-timer. He saw time on both special teams units for the U.S. Development Program and is committed to the University of Minnesota for next season. Some scouts question his offensive upside, a key factor to his eventual NHL ceiling.
"A right-shot defenseman, he played primarily on the left side this season," Kimelman said. "He also played more of a shut-down role for the NTDP but showcased a high-end offensive game with the U-17 team in 2020-21 (34 points in 37 games). He'll likely be able to showcase more of those offensive skills next season at the University of Minnesota."

Frank Nazar

Position: Center
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #21 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (USDP): 28 goals, 42 assists, 70 points
Just watching Frank Nazar play feels like a workout. The Michigan-born forward is a relentless forechecker who brings energy and passion to every shift. He showed flashes of offensive upside and creativity while playing a top-six role last year for the U.S. Development Program and will get more opportunity to expand that area of his game this season with his hometown Michigan Wolverines. Nazar's skillset may not be top of the class, but his work ethic and determination could see him outperform his draft slot.
"He also consistently supports the play high in the offensive zone without possession when that's his role," Wheeler said. "He can be careless with the puck and try to do too much at times but he's also capable of going right into coverage to make something happen. He's still got some work to do to add muscle, but he's an extremely gifted athlete who moves and does things on the ice that few can."

Brad Lambert

Position:Center
NHL Central Scouting Rank:#10 European Skater
2021-22 Stats (Liiga): 4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points in 49 games played
If you asked NHL draft evaluators two years ago whether Brad Lambert would be an option for teams picking in the back half of the 2022 first round, you probably would have got a mix of some laughs and flat-out denials. The nephew of newly named New York Islanders coach Lane Lambert, the younger Lambert was long projected to be among the first names called at the podium this week, but a disastrous 2021-22 season sent him tumbling down draft boards. He offers an enticing project to teams, a player with immense talent whose value could skyrocket with the right guidance.
"Lambert is a high-end athlete," Pronman wrote. "His skating ability is explosive. He has great speed and edgework, allowing him to cut away from pressure easily. You combine his skating with strong hands and he's a go-to guy for zone entries. He can make tough plays in motion and shows O-zone creativity. He can use his skating to circle too much at times but this season showed more willingness to attack directly. He's full of potential, even though I've seen him take a lot of nights off. I think he will be a top-six winger in the NHL but he may frustrate coaches."

Liam Ohgren

Position: Left Wing
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #8 European Skater
2021-22 Stats (J20 Nationell-Sweden):33 goals, 25 assists, 58 points in 30 games played
Ohgren absolutely dominated the Swedish U-20 league, averaging more than one goal per game and almost two points a night. He won't wow you with any particular tool but he's a well-rounded offensive player who can distribute the puck and finish his own chances. He projects as a quality top-six winger who could effectively feed off other skill players.
"An explosive skater with speed, acceleration and balance, Ohgren (6-1, 201) could be a steal at this point in the draft," NHL.com's Mike Morreale said. "He plays with a lot of energy, is strong on the forecheck and has great work ethic."