Sep 16, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Luca Sisa (5), left wing Daniel Winnik (34) and right wing Stefan Noesen (64) defend Phoenix Coyotes center Gilbert Brule (8) at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The dog days of August are nearly behind us. In just a few days, the 2014-15 season will officially kick off, as players will report to training camp.
This offseason the Ducks roster underwent a bit of a facelift. In total, eight players left the team due to free agency, the trading block, or retirement. This season the Ducks will turn to both new additions to the team and young up-and-comers to fill these roles.
There are a few players on most fans’ radar that we will be watching: Emerson Etem, Devante Smith-Pelly, and Rickard Rakell are all expected to make the permanent jump to the NHL this season.
But are there any players that we aren’t expecting?
Last season, defenseman Hampus Lindholm surprised many fans by making the final roster out of training camp. The 20-year old Swede quickly became a crucial part of the team and remained with the club for the entire season. Are there any prospects in the Ducks system that could surprise us this year?
Here are are five players to watch for this training camp:
Stefan Noesen, RW
Stefan Noesen is a long shot to make the team out of training camp, but he will be an interesting player to watch for other reasons.
Noesen, the 21st overall pick in the 2011 draft came to Anaheim from Ottowa as part of the Bobby Ryan trade last summer. The 21-year old Right Wing draws comparisons to Anaheim’s Corey Perry, as he utilizes a good mixture of size, skill, and an incredible shot. He put up three consecutive PPG seasons with the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers, where he skated on a line with Rickard Rakell.
In his first year of AHL eligibility, Noesen suffered a season ending injury, tearing multiple knee ligaments after only two games with the Norfolk Admirals. He eventually recovered in time for the end of the Ads’ playoff run, where he tallied four assists in as many games.
Last year may have set him back some, but as long as he can stay healthy Noesen will be an exciting player for years to come. Expect him to start this season in Norfolk, but he may see some time in Anaheim on a call-up basis.
Louis Leblanc, C/RW
Leblanc is the real wild card of the Ducks’ prospect class. The Quebec native was drafted fittingly by his hometown Montreal Canadiens 18th overall in 2009.
He spent the next year playing for Harvard University, where he was named the Ivy League’s Rookie of the Year.
The following year, he dropped out of college and played in the QMJHL with the Montreal Juniors, where he performed at a PPG pace.
Oct 28, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens center Louis Leblanc (71) takes a shot in front of New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (10) during the second period of a game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The next three seasons, Leblanc bounced between the Canadiens and their AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs.
In 50 NHL games, Leblanc scored only 10 points (5g, 5a). He scored 68 points (34g, 34a) in 173 games with Hamilton.
Leblanc clearly struggled to find his place in the Montreal organization.
In Hamilton, he was given limited minutes in a checking role with inadequate linemates, and was rumored to have problems getting along with Bulldogs’ coach Sylvain Lefebvre.
Leblanc was traded to the Ducks this summer for a conditional 7th round pick.
The question is if a change of scenery can help the young 23-year old find his place in professional hockey, and if it can, how much?
It’s very unlikely that Leblanc will be given a roster spot this season. If anything, a year in the AHL will probably be best for him. It will give him a chance to regain his confidence while being utilized properly.
Even if he continues to fall short of expectations, picking up Leblanc was a smart move by GM Bob Murray. It will be interesting to watch how Leblanc performs this preseason.
Shea Theodore, D
Shea Theodore was the Ducks’ 1st round pick in 2013 (26th overall). He spent the 2013-14 campaign with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds. When their season completed, he joined the Norfolk Admirals. In eight games (4 regular season, 4 playoff) he scored a goal and two assists, and posted a -2 rating overall.
Theodore is a puck-moving defenseman with a great shot. He’s drawn comparisons to Capitals’ defenseman Mike Green for his offensive abilities.
@SeattleTbirds defenseman Shea Theodore looks a lot like Mike Green did as a junior.
— Тyler Boldt (@tylerboldt) October 29, 2012
Theodore could stand to improve play in his own end and fill out his 6’1”, 183lb frame. He also needs to improve the physical aspect of his game, which may come hand in hand with bulking up.
Theodore has an opportunity to make the Ducks this season. While the Ducks have 8 NHL Defensemen on the roster, they can always find a way to make room for him if he earns a spot. However, doing so would probably require 7th Defenseman Mark Fistric to either be traded or start the season in the AHL to avoid waivers.
Ultimately, Theodore will probably benefit most from a full season in the AHL, but keep an eye on him in case he surprises everyone like Hampus Lindholm did last season.
Nick Ritchie, LW
Nick Ritchie was selected 10th overall by the Ducks in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft this past June. Ritchie’s a big kid, weighing in at 6’2”, 227lbs.
While size is certainly a good thing in today’s NHL, his size is actually somewhat of a concern.
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Nicholas Ritchie puts on a team sweater after being selected as the number ten overall pick to the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Ritchie needs to lose body fat and gain muscle in order to remain competitive at the next level.
It will be interesting to see come training camp how much progress he makes in that department.
Despite concerns about his weight, Ritchie has potential to be a very effective Left Winger.
Ritchie is commonly compared to Boston’s Milan Lucic, a power forward with a knack for finding the net.
If he realizes his full potential, he may one day be an excellent compliment to Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on the top line.
This season, Ritchie is not AHL eligible, so if he doesn’t make the Ducks he will spend the season on his junior team, the Peterborough Petes. I expect a strong push from Ritchie this training camp, but ultimately it won’t be enough.
Nic Kerdiles, C/LW
Nic Kerdiles is arguably the best prospect that the Ducks have in the system. The 20-year old Irvine native is a solid all-around player. He’s a two way forward with some interesting offensive upside. He has a good mix of speed, strength, and skill.
Kerdiles was drafted 36th overall by his hometown Ducks in the 2012 Entry Draft. He then spent two seasons with the University of Wisconsin, where he posted 71 points (26g 45a) in 60 games.
He then signed with the Ducks and joined the Norfolk Admirals, scoring 8 points (4g, 4a) in 16 games (6 season, 10 playoffs).
There’s a lot of buzz regarding Kerdiles and what he can do for the Ducks. His natural position is left wing, but he has played center in both Wisconsin and Norfolk. He has the best chance of any other prospect to make the team out of training camp, and should provide competition for centers Rickard Rakell and Nate Thompson.
Todd Marchant, Anaheim’s director of player development said this of Kerdiles:
"Nic has to be able to build upon what he’s been able to accomplish to this point. He’s a big, strong kid. He plays a power-forward game now. He can play center, he can play wing. He does a lot of things well. Now it’s just a question of how much time is it going to take him; could take him some time in the American Hockey League to round out his game. He’s definitely a person that’s on the rise, and in the last couple years he’s really taken a huge step in his development.”"
Ultimately, if Kerdiles doesn’t make the team right away, he will get a chance to shine in Norfolk, and will definitely see ice time on a call-up basis.
Follow Pucks of a Feather on Twitter.
Like Pucks of a Feather on Facebook.