Taking a Look Back on the Anaheim Ducks 2018 Entry Draft

With the 2019 NHL Entry Draft only a few hours away, we take a look back on the Anaheim Ducks 2018 Draft selections.

Only a few hours stand between the Anaheim Ducks and the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. When all is said and done, the Ducks will walk away with 7 new prospects to add to their cupboard. However, before we get excited about the newest Ducks, let’s review the 2018 draft.

Seven players were selected by the Anaheim Ducks in 2018. We’re going to take a look at how their season went, how they’ve progressed, and whether they’ve improved or not. Hopefully, in the near future, we will see a few of these players dressed with the Ducks or the San Diego Gulls.

Isac Lundestrom— Center, 2018 1st Round (23rd Overall) Draft Pick

Isac Lundestrom had a busy 2018-19 season. Drafted 23rd overall by the Anaheim Ducks during the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he was immediately signed to a 3-year Entry Level Contract, good through the 2020-21 season, in August.

After development camp and the preseason, Lundestrom joined the Anaheim Ducks roster during the first home game of the season against the Detroit Red Wings. He played a total of 15 games with the big club, registering his first NHL point on October 13th against the Dallas Stars, setting Kiefer Sherwood up for his first NHL goal.

Like quite a few of his fellow rookie prospects, Lundestrom didn’t make much of an impact on the ice, registering only two assists during his 15 game stretch. So, he was sent down the 5 to play for the Anaheim Ducks AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. He played 12 games with the Gulls, tallying 9 assists.

He headed off to the IIHF World Junior Championships with Team Sweden, posting 1 goal and an added 3 assists in the 5 games he played. Unfortunately, they were knocked out of the contest in the Quarter-Finals. However, Lundestrom stepped up in a big way and acted as an anchor for his team who had been ravaged by the flu.

Instead of returning to San Diego, he opted to go back home and spend the remainder of the 2018-19 season in Sweden with Lulea HF of the SHL. The season was short, but he managed to play 17 games where he registered 9 points (2g, 7a.) It may not seem like overwhelming point totals, but remember, Lundestrom doesn’t play in a league with players of similar age, he plays against men.

He was an amazing asset to them in the playoffs, however. Only two points shy of posting a point per game during their 10 game playoff campaign, he scored 2 goals with an added 6 helpers before they were eliminated. This brought him full circle back to California, where he rejoined the San Diego Gulls in their attempt to win the Calder Cup Playoffs. He only appeared in 7 of their games. Their run would end in Round 3, and Lundestrom would finish in the playoffs with 3 points.