Anaheim Ducks Top 10 Prospects

May 12, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks mascot Wild Wing waves the “Ducks Win” flag after game five of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Honda Center. The Ducks defeated the Kings 4-3 to take a 3-2 series lead. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the NHL draft now just days away, I wanted to take a look at the Top 10 prospects in the Anaheim Ducks system.

Now let me preface this by saying all the players in my list are prospects that have never played an NHL game even preseason. That is why you will not see names like John Gibson and Rickard Rakell on this list.

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts on the list.

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1.) Nic Kerdiles– (Drafted #36^th overall 2012 draft ANA)

Kerdiles is a big, point getting center and on this list my number 1 Ducks prospect. Kerdiles is a local kid, from Irvine, California but moved to Ann Arbor for the 2010-2011 season to play for the US National Development Team. Kerdiles played 188 games combined with the National team including tournaments and season games. He compiled 66 goals and 74 assists in that period for a total of 140 points in the 188 games he played.

After his Development Team time was over Kerdiles would go on to play for the University of Wisconsin for the next two seasons. As a Badger, Kerdiles would continue his goal scoring touch. In 60 collegiate games Kerdiles compiled a 26-45-71 stat line. Kerdiles was also instrumental in getting Wisconsin berths to the NCAA tournament in both seasons he played there.

After this past season Kerdiles left his last two years of eligibility to sign his pro contract. He signed a 3-year entry level deal and was immediately added to the Ducks AHL affiliate, Norfolk Admirals. Though his sample size is small, Kerdiles posted 4 points in 6 regular season games and another 4 points in 10 playoff games with the Admirals.

With the Ducks rumored to be in on many big name centers, and the emergence of Nick Bonino and Rickard Rakell I think Kerdiles could be in Norfolk for the season next year. He may get a call-up or two and he will push for a spot but he needs a full season at the AHL level. He isn’t a flashy play but he is smart, physical and has produced points at every level he has played at.

Look for Kerdiles to be a great pick and a solid second or third line center for the Ducks.

2.) Shea Theodore– (Drafted #26 overall 2013 draft ANA)

Anytime you are a first round draft pick in the NHL fans will be looking for you to produce and do big things for your team. Shea Theodore could be just that for the Ducks. He is the only first round pick on the list and with some defensemen getting moved from the Ducks he could be the next and a young stable of defensemen to make the jump to the NHL level.

Theodore has played with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League at the Canadian Junior Level. Theodore played 4 games as a 15 year old and since then has blossomed at the junior level. Over the next three seasons Theodore played 210 games for Seattle and tallied 164 points. As a defenseman those numbers are off the charts. In the 13-14’ season Theodore ranked first among all defensemen in points with 79, and ranked ninth in the WHL with 57 assists.

With offensive numbers like that from a defenseman it was easy to see why Theodore was a first round pick. However his defensive side took a hit. Prior to this season Theodore finished with a +/- had seasons of -36 and -24. That has changed as he finished this season with a +19 along with his career high 79 points.

Theodore signed a 3-year entry level deal following Seattle’s season and played in 8 games for Norfolk, (4 regular season, 4 Playoff) though scoreless in his regular season contests Theodore would pick up a goal and 2 assists in the post season. Theodore could find himself in the same situation as Kerdiles where the great play of other youngsters like Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm could keep him in the AHL all next season.

Theodore is power -play quarterback and has a great shot from the point. Those two things are something the Ducks need so don’t be surprised by a call-up if injuries arise. If Theodore can continue to produce points as well as continue his solid plus minus the Ducks may have a star top 4 defensemen.

3.) William Karlsson- (Drafted #53 overall 2011 draft ANA)

Karlsson is a bit of a dark horse in the Ducks prospect system. He was taken fairly high a few drafts ago but has continued to play in the Swedish elite leagues. Because most people don’t follow hockey that occurs in Sweden he becomes a bit of an unknown. However this kid has produced and seems like he is almost ready to make the transition to the North American game.

Since being drafted Karlsson has played for two different teams in different leagues in Sweden and produced in them all. In 151 games played Karlsson posted a line of 31-79-110. Seeing the bulk of his points occur in the 13-14” season the Ducks felt it was time to bring him over and with his entry level deal signed the year before he was all set.

Karlsson reported to Norfolk where he registered 9 points in the 9 regular season games he played and added on another 3 points in 8 playoff games for the Admirals. Karlsson is listed as 6 feet, 176lbs which isn’t massive by NHL standards but he is fast and shifty which translates to what the NHL is becoming.

He along with Nic Kerdiles are probably the front runners to next make their NHL debuts. And if he gets a little bit stronger and utilizes his elusiveness and speed this could be a great addition to the Ducks especially if he can build some chemistry with other players and give the Ducks more firepower upfront

4.) Stephan Noesen- (Drafted #21 overall 2011 draft OTT)

Noesen was an asset sent to the Ducks as part of the blockbuster that saw Bobby Ryan moved to Ottawa. Noesen was a former first round draft pick by the Senators and is a huge piece for the ducks to acquire looking toward their future. According to HockeysFuture.com Noesen is the second highest ranked right wing the Ducks have behind only Rickard Rakell.

Noesen has been playing for the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League since the 09-10’ season. Noesen’s OHL career stats read, 100 goals, 120 assists for 220 points in 215 games played. Anaheim saw that point production and was ready to give Noesen his first taste of pro hockey full time in Norfolk for the 13-14’ season. Unfortunately two torn knee ligaments suffered in practice at the beginning of the season kept Noesen out for the whole season.

This put his progression on hold as he only played in two regular season games where he was held pointless. However he did play in four playoff games in Norfolk picking up four assists. Noesen was poised to push for a spot in Anaheim had the injury not occurred but hopefully it is fully healed now.

Senators GM Bryan Murray as he gone a record saying that Noesens style reminds him of fellow Duck Corey Perry. If that’s the case and the point total from the OHL carries over to the NHL we could see Noesen soon and he could be a star in the making

5.) Kevin Roy- (Drafted #97 overall 2012 draft ANA)

Roy is one of two Ducks prospects on this list that still is playing college hockey. After a phenomenal 11-12’ season with the Lincoln Stars in the United States Hockey League, that saw Roy pick up 54 goals and 50 assists in 59 games, Roy committed to Northeastern University.

That production has continued into his collegiate career where during his first 2 seasons at NU Roy has led the team in scoring. In a mere 66 games Roy has collected 36 goals and 44 assists for 80 points.

This happens to be one of two prospects I have met and been able to see play every game of his college career and I can say the Ducks may have found a gem here. Roy is play maker, has a nose for the net, and has shown clutch ability numerous times in the 2 seasons I have seen him. He is ranked as the highest right wing prospect the Ducks currently have by HockeysFuture also.

If there is a negative to Roy it’s his size. He is currently listed at 5’10” 170lbs. This is small by NHL standards and because of it his defensive game can lack as he isn’t able to knock bigger forwards off the puck. That being said he is extremely shifty and has great hands in the offensive zone and doesn’t lose the puck often.

Roy is still a few years away from the Ducks with 2 more seasons at NU and then most likely a full season in the AHL. However this time will allow him to gain size and strength and sure up his defensive responsibilities. If that can be accomplished and he continues to put points up the way he can, Roy will turn out to be an absolute steal for the Ducks.

7.) Max Friberg- (Drafted #153 overall 2011 draft ANA)

Max Friberg is probably the biggest boom or bust prospect on this list. I know you could make the argument he is a little high but I’m going to be optimistic and say he becomes the former as opposed to the latter.

Friberg was taken in the fifth round in the 2011 draft and spent the next two seasons playing in different leagues within Sweden. He is a small young kid that was playing with grown men in his homeland and was holding his own. Fribergs coming out party was at the 2012 World Juniors U20 where he led the tournament in scoring and led Sweden to a gold medal.

Following the tournament Friberg signed his 3 year entry level deal and was in Norfolk for the start of the 12-13’ season. He only appeared in 6 games registering a goal, not exactly the jump you want coming to North America for the first time. However this past season Friberg played in 74 regular season games notching 40 points with 17 of them goals. He’d add another 5 points in 10 playoff games for the Admirals to close out the season.

I’d guess Friberg is still a little bit away from making the jump to the Ducks and due to his size he is going to have to get stronger. Friberg doesn’t shy away from physical play and fore-checking is a huge part of his game so another good year in the AHL and we could see him playing some quality minutes and providing some scoring punch as a bottom 6 forward

8.) Josh Manson-(Drafted #160 overall 2011 draft ANA)

A defensemen comes back in to my list again at #8 with Josh Manson. A bit of an off the board pick but as he is the 2^nd prospect I have been able to meet and watch for a few years I feel he could make an impact at the NHL level one day.

Manson played in the BCHL for two seasons as a forward tallying double digits in goals and 24, and 47 points respectively in those seasons. He then committed to Northeastern University and made the transition to defensemen. Manson played with fellow Ducks prospect Kevin Roy for the last two seasons.

As a defensemen Manson doesn’t have the biggest point totals 21 points in 99 collegiate games. However Manson is a puck moving defensemen and a massive physical presence. Listed at 6’3” 203 he is a big kid for 22 and he uses all of it when he throws hits. He is very dependable, rarely gets beat, and has leadership ability as he captained NU in the 13-14’ season.

Following NU’s elimination in the Hockey East playoffs Manson signed his entry level deal with the Ducks and was added to Norfolk for the remainder of the 13-14’ season. He had a goal in 9 regular season games for the Admirals and a goal during 10 playoff games for the Admirals as he played on the first D pair through-out the AHL post-season.

Manson will be back in the AHL for his first full season and I’m excited to see it as well as him in some Ducks pre-season games. Manson is a raw prospect but with some fine-tuning and more time to mature could be a heavy hitting, puck moving, defensive gem, that the Ducks found in the sixth round.

9.) Andy Welinski- (Drafted #83 overall 2011 draft ANA)

Welinski is the second Ducks prospect on this list that is still playing college hockey. Welinski was taken in the third round by the Ducks in 2011 after posting 14 points in the United States Hockey League. Welinski played one more season in the USHL with the Green bay Gamblers posting 37 points before committing to the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Two seasons through his college career Welinski has appeared in 74 games collecting 37 points. Again points don’t jump out at you but another big defenseman (6 feet, 200lbs) that has a nasty edge to his game and a good shot. Welinski is similar to Roy in that he too has two more years of college hockey before he makes the jump to the AHL level.

So we are still looking at Welinski being 3+ years out for pushing for a spot with the Ducks. That is a ton of time and a ton of hockey for him to improve and I will be excited to watch his development.

10.) Kevin Lind- (Drafted #177 overall 2010 draft ANA)

Kevin Lind is by far the oldest draft pick on this list. That happened because Lind finished his senior year at Notre Dame this past season.

Lind is without a doubt a shut-down defenseman. In 151 games for the Fighting Irish Lind picked up just 29 points. Those stats won’t jump out at you but for his game those aren’t the best stats to look at. As I mentioned Lind is a shut-down defensemen as evidence by the fact he finished his college career as a +47. So the points didn’t accumulate for him specifically but opponents didn’t score on him and others on the ice with him did score.

Not every one of your defensemen can be an offensive minded one and shut-down defensemen are necessary. He is a big 22-year old standing 6’3” and 222 pounds. That’s a lot of weight to throw around. Lind played in one regular season game for Norfolk without a point after Notre Dame’s season and my guess would be he will spend all of next year in Norfolk.

Lind is a wait and see kind of guy but if he can have a good year for the Admirals perhaps a bottom 6 push and potential call up will happen for Lind on the Ducks in 2015-2016.