On the Clock: Potential Prospects Available to Anaheim at Pick #10

With just one day until the NHL Draft, it's time to talk prospects.
The Ducks have eight selections this Thursday and Friday at Bell Centre in Montreal, with plenty of room for GM Pat Verbeek and co. to begin shaping their first offseason directing the Ducks forward.
Just nine names will be off the board when Anaheim is first put on the clock, so here we'll take a look at some prospects draft experts say could be available at #10.

Cutter Gauthier

Position: Left Wing
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #3 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (U.S. Development Program): 34 goals, 31 assists, 65 points and a +33 rating in 54 games played
In the early stages of the 2021-22 season, Gauthier was not often seeing his named slotted at the top of his draft class but an outstanding season with the U.S. Development Program has seen the Boston College bound forward firmly establish himself as one of the draft's premier prospects, maybe even one who won't last all the way until the Ducks get on the clock at #10. Gauthier projects as a quintessential power forward, a 6-foot-3 left wing with soft hands and some snarl to ruffle opposing feathers around the crease.
"The U.S. U-18 national team forward has NHL size, speed, and a goal-scorer's nose for the net, which is to say he has the requisite tools to be a top-six, two-way NHL power forward," TSN's Bob McKenzie wrote of Gauthier,
listing him fifth in his final pre-draft rankings
. "Though Gauthier played some centre this season, most scouts seem to think he projects more as a pro winger. In our scout survey, Gauthier was as high as No. 3 and as low as No. 10.

Matthew Savoie

Position: Center
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #4 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (WHL): 35 goals, 55 assists, 90 points and a +54 rating in 65 games played
Savoie is a small but highly skilled forward who lit the up the Western Hockey League with 90 points in 65 games. He's a lethal offensive player, explosive skater and a bit fiesty despite his lack of stature. He may not be the most complete player in the draft but will offer his NHL club a potential top-six scoring forward.
"I see a dynamic, high-tempo, top-six, goal-creating package,"
The Athletic's Scott Wheeler wrote of Savoie
. "He's an exciting talent in a draft that's short on them, with clear PP1 upside due to his shooting-skill package and clear five-on-five upside because of his skating and motor."

Connor Geekie

Position: Center
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #5 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (WHL): 24 goals, 26 assists, 70 points and a +46 rating in 63 games played
The brother of Seattle Kraken forward Morgan Geekie and WHL teammate of Savoie, the younger Geekie is a big, physical center with impressive vision and playmaking ability. In a league full of teams constantly searching for quality centermen, Geekie's blend of size and skill could make him a successful NHL top-six forward for years to come.
"With his hands and reach he's able to consistently maneuver pucks through sticks and legs to create chances," The Athletic's
Corey Pronman said of Geekie in his pre-draft guide
. "He's a big man who doesn't shy away from physical contact, which combined with his skill makes him tough to deal with down low and strip the puck from in general."
Pavel Mintyukov
Position: Defense
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #6 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (OHL): 17 goals, 45 assists, 62 points in 67 games played
A Russian-born defenseman, Mintyukov just completed his first season in North America with Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League, ranking third among league blueliners in scoring. Mintyukov is heralded for his skating ability, which allows him to join the rush and make plays in transition. Some experts find his game to be too aggressive at times though, and his development in the defensive zone could determine his eventual NHL success.
"Mintyukov is an outstanding skater with high-end offensive instincts," NHL.com's
Adam Kimelman wrote of the defender
. "There's a bit of risk/reward to his approach, but his skating allows him to make up for any mistakes."

Kevin Korchinski

Position: Defense
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #7 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (WHL): 4 goals, 61 assists, 65 points and a +36 rating in 67 games played
Korchinski shot up draft boards this year amidst a breakout season with the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL). He may not have the offensive upside of some other blueliners in the draft class, although his 61 assists trailed only Ducks prospect Olen Zellweger in the WHL last season, but the the 6-foot-2 Korchinski could develop into a smooth-skating top-four defenseman who excels on both sides of the puck.
"His hallmark will always be his near-perfect posture and balance over his skates," Wheeler said of Korchinski. "He lives and dies trying to guide play with and without the puck with his mobility, pivots and directional changes. He can take over a game with his ability to transport the puck and roam."

Denton Mateychuk

Position: Defense
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #14 North American Skater
2021-22 Stats (WHL): 13 goals, 51 assists, 64 points and a +20 rating in 65 games played
Another one of the several defensemen projected to be scooped up by the middle of the first round, what Mateychuk lacks in size (5-10, 194 pounds), he makes up for in speed and smarts. Like Mintyukov, he's an excellent skater who likes to join the rush and offers a terrific upside with his skillset, but he'll also need to work on his defensive prowess to establish himself at the game's highest level.
"He defends well in the WHL due to his feet but at 5-foot-11 the concern for scouts is how well he'll be able to check in the NHL," Pronman said. "It's a reasonable concern but I think he's so talented and the skating is so good that he will find a way to succeed and become a top four defenseman."

Joakim Kemell

Position: Right Wing
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #2 European Skater
2021-22 Stats (Liiga): 15 goals, 8 assists, 23 points in 39 games played
The Finnish winger is a weapon on the attack who boasts one of the most complete offensive skillsets in the entire draft. He scored 15 goals as a 17-year-old in Liiga and while many draft experts remain divided on his long-term ceiling, most expect him to be an early first round pick.
"A shoulder injury sidelined him twice, totaling more than two months, but he still led Liiga rookies with 15 goals and was second with 23 points in 39 games," NHL.com's Mike Morreale said,
slotting Kemell in seventh in his own mock draft
. "Kemell is a good skater with acceleration and speed who is considered a highly skilled playmaker that sees the ice well. He led Finland with six goals in five games at the World U-18s."

Marco Kasper

Position: Center
NHL Central Scouting Rank: #5 European Skater
2021-22 Stats (SHL): 7 goals, 4 assists, 11 points in 46 games played
The Austrian center will quickly make a lot of fans across the league. He's a physically mature, hard-working center who can play all three forward positions, contribute on special teams and help teammates battle for pucks in the corner. Questions about his offensive upside will determine his ceiling, but Kasper looks like a good bet to contribute to his NHL club in a variety of ways.
"Those who believe he has considerable offensive potential say he's a threat to be a top-five prospect in this draft," McKenzie said. "Those who see him as more offensively limited have him outside the top 10. His range in our survey was as high as No. 5 and as low as 21. But most everyone agrees he's mature on and off the ice, and one of the best all-around prospects with high character and work ethic."

Jonathan Lekkerimaki

Position: Right Wing

NHL Central Scouting Rank: #6 European Skater
2021-22 Stats (SHL): 7 goals, 2 assists, 9 points in 26 games played
Much like Kemell, Lekkerimaki is a creative, highly skilled offensive player who could eventually blossom into one of the game's elite point producers if things turn out right for him. The Swedish winger owns maybe the best shot in the entire draft, a quick catch-and-release that affords him the ability to score from nearly anywhere in the offensive zone. He'll need the right centerman alongside him to reach his true peak, but goals are hard to come by in the NHL and Lekkerimaki could eventually provide those in spades.
"The somewhat undersized (5-foot-10-1/2) Swedish winger has a big-time shot and high-end finishing ability and performed at a high level at the 2022 U-18 World Championship," McKenzie said. "He might not have quite the same offensive pizzazz as Kemell, but he still projects as a top-six scoring forward."