5 Prospects Who Will Make Their Anaheim Ducks Debut

1. Nic Kerdiles– Kerdiles has been the talk of the Ducks for a little while now. Fans were excited about drafting the Irvine California native a draft ago but thought he wouldn’t be seen for a few years. Deciding on playing hockey for the University of Wisconsin he could have stayed for four year before he was even a thought to the Ducks. But at the end of last season Kerdiles decided to leave the Badgers and turn pro signing his entry level deal and joining the Norfolk Admirals.

After a good showing in the playoffs for the Ads and a prospect camp that people are still buzzing about Kerdiles has really put the pressure on guys like Richard Rakell and new Duck Nate Thompson. Thompson is most likely slated as the Ducks fourth-line center. Kerdiles is a big kid but Thompson brings more of a snarl than Kerdiles. The Ducks want to be tougher in 1v1 battles and have some bite on the fourth line. Kerdiles skills are far superior to Thompson so the Ducks won’t waste him there; he needs to be in a more offensive role. For that reason it could lead to a great showdown in training camp between Kerdiles and Rakell.

Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler have locked in center slots one and two but it appears to be a two horse race for the third center slot. In my opinion the Ducks will decide on Rakell to start the year. He had a great year in the AHL and proved he can play at the NHL level when he was inserted during the series vs. LA.

Kerdiles needs to learn the pro game and he can do that as the first line pivot in Norfolk. However he will push Rakell to be good on a nightly basis because if he slips up Kerdiles can take his place. Kerdiles will spend most of the season in Norfolk but don’t be surprised to see him if injuries arise or as a late season/post-season call up.