via circlingthewagon.com

The Anaheim Ducks entered the 2012 NHL Entry Draft with the sixth overall pick, their highest pick in the draft since they selected Bobby Ryan second overall back in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. They used this sixth overall pick to select Swedish defenseman Hampus Lindholm. At the time, there were plenty of notable names for the Ducks to select, but they went with a guy who was a late bloomer and not exactly a notable name. He made the jump from Swedish second league directly to the AHL and the Norfolk Admirals. He faired pretty well in his first season in professional hockey. He missed time due to a concussion but in 44 games with the Admirals, Lindholm registered 1 goal and 10 assists for 11 points with 16 PIM and a +6 rating. His composure and maturity is what everyone seems to notice about Lindholm. He isn’t flashy in anyway, but he just does everything so well that has allowed him to impress so many people. He was given a very long look in last years training camp and he certainly will get a very long look again this upcoming training camp. However, I personally think he will start next year with the Admirals and at some point during the season will be called up to the NHL.

via ducks.nhl.com

Age: 19

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Left

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 195 lbs.

Scouting Report:

“The Ducks are certainly building a backbone for the future with the majority of their selections, and one of the members of that backbone is key defensive selection Hampus Lindholm. The big 6’2 Swede took his first jump into North American hockey this season and you could say it has been a relative success. While 11 points in 43 games does not seem like a giant statistical value, the 19-year-old was poised in his AHL rookie season. His plus-six rating is impressive for a first year professional, and Lindholm really looked much older than 19. He is poised with the puck, his breakouts are solid, and most importantly, he did not falter under the physical nature of North American hockey. Lindholm does not have the flashy offensive game, but his jump in the rankings is based a lot on the comfort level, maturity, and responsibility he has shown at every level he has competed in thus far. Moving forward, it is hard to believe he would not carry the same style into the NHL.”

via HockeysFuture.com

“A quite all-round defenseman with good size and mobility. Skates well and does not mind joining the rush. Hockey sense is impressive and so are his puck skills. Does not shy away from the rough stuff, although not an overly physical player. Used on the man advantage as well as in shorthanded situations. (EP 2012)”

via EliteProspects.com

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Sami Vatanen was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. So, is it too early to call him one of the steals of the draft? I think it’s pretty safe to say that’s he a candidate. The diminutive defenseman has excellent offensive abilities. He’s everything that Justin Schultz was going to be. Vatanen has very good speed and is an excellent skater. He is creative with the puck and can definitely lead a successful breakout. He doesn’t have the hardest shot but it’s very accurate. He needs work in his own end, just like Schultz. Despite putting up 45 points in 62 games with the Norfolk Admirals this year, he was an even plus/minus. He scored 2 goals in 8 games last year with the Ducks and I’m expecting him to dress for many more next year.

via ducks.nhl.com

Age: 22

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Right

Height: 5’10″

Weight: 176 lbs.

Scouting Report:

“The first prospect selected outside of the first round to make the list for the Ducks is Finnish defenseman Sami Vatanen. Vatanen is a bit of a mixed package overall, his limited size at 5’10 has made him vulnerable to the physical game of the AHL, but his tremendous playmaking ability and vision makes him a threat to any opposing team. He had a tremendous 2012-13 season and was an AHL First All-Star team member and the Norfolk Admiral’s top defensive scorer. However, despite his fantastic 45 points in 62 games he was an even plus-minus. That is going to be the story with Vatanen, at least for now. He will bring you tremendous breakouts and puck moving but his defensive game is always going to be a knock. With Vatanen though, if he can put up numbers like this in the NHL, he will certainly be above the hockey “Mendoza Line” so to speak.”

via HockeysFuture.com

“A small and talented defenseman. An excellent skater who understands the game well and is useful on powerplay. Needs to improve physically. Good stickhandling. (Matias Strozyk)”

via EliteProspects.com

“Owns excellent offensive ability, solid puck-moving skills and plenty of hockey sense. Is capable of running a power play and also owns a very accurate point shot. Is somewhat undersized for the North American pro game, so he must continue to add bulk and get stronger physically in order to maximize his NHL potential.”

via TheHockeyNews.com

Next up in the series will be defenseman Hampus Lindholm.

Thanks for reading! Any questions? Contact us! Or follow us on twitter @PucksofaFeather! We’re back on Facebook, so like us!

Follow me on twitter @ducks_sean! Follow our Lead Editor on twitter @thekrishill! Follow my fellow Staff Writers on twitter @bauerhockeydude and @CamLanier!