Anaheim Ducks can find good value with 23rd overall draft pick

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There are under 20 days until the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Things are heating up for for the Anaheim Ducks who pick 23rd overall. We have some of the best players selected in that slot.

All eyes turn to mock drafts and Twitter chatter for who the Ducks will select with the 23rd overall pick, to hopefully be a key piece of their future. It’s the first time since being swept out of the playoffs by Vegas that they have something to look forward to. Some may think with a late first round pick there isn’t much value, history proves them wrong.

The Anaheim Ducks have become masters if finding gems in the late first round. If you need proof look no further than Rickard Rakell (30th overall in 2011), Corey Perry (28th overall in 2003) and potentially Sam Steel (30th overall in 2016). Even the history of the 23rd overall pick has produced some gems.

WASHINGTON, DC – December 16: Andre Burakovsky #65 of the Washington Capitals skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#5 – Andre Burakovsky, Washington Capitals – 2013

Burakovsky is the newest member of this club and if his play continues he’ll move even higher up this list. Burakovsky is one of many Russians drafted by the Capitals in recent years. 2017-18 was his third full NHL season.

Despite missing 15 more games than he did in his second year, he still finished only 3 points shy of the previous season with 35 points.. In just shy of 200 NHL regular season he has just shy of 100 points. This comes after putting up 87 points in his one Canadian Junior season with the Erie Otters.

Burakovsky is newly 23 and just beginning to enter the prime of her career. He seems to be relishing the moment. This postseason, after missing a few games, he has posted 5 points in 11 games. That includes two goals in Game 7 of the East Finals to eliminate Tampa Bay and send the Caps to the finals.

ANAHEIM, CA – DECEMBER 3: Todd Bertuzzi #44 of the Detroit Red Wings moves the puck center ice against the Anaheim Ducks during the game on December 3, 2010. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#4 – Todd Bertuzzi, New York Islanders – 1993

Todd Bertuzzi is the second player on this list to have worn a Ducks sweater in his career. He was selected in the same draft that saw Paul Kariya go first overall to Anaheim. Bertuzzi never really found his stride with the Islanders after his rookie season of 39 points.

That facilitated his trade to the Vancouver Canucks. It was here that Bertuzzi found his stride rattling off 6 straight 50+ point seasons from 1999-2006. Those years also included an 85 and 97 point campaigns.

Unfortunately, Bertuzzi is most remembered for his infamous sucker punch to Steve Moore. It resulted in a suspension that went from the remainder of the 2003-04 season until the start of the 2005-06 season. He was never the same player after that. Bertuzzi went on to play for the Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames and Detriot Red Wings.

The 6’3″ power forward appeared in over 1100 games and tallied 768 points. He was one of the best in the game, yet his legacy is tarnished by one horrendous incident. Take that scar away and he was a phenomenal player. If the Ducks can find someone with his skill set and point scoring prowess, it could be a great pick.

DENVER, CO – MARCH 09: Goaltender Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche plays in the game against the Anaheim Ducks. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#3 Semyon Varlamov, Washington – 2006

The Capitals strike again at number 23 when they take Russian puck stopper Seymon Varlamov. Varlamov joined the Capitals during the 2008-2009 and spent three years with the organization. He was 30-13-12 with a .917 Sv% and a 2.39 GAA in that time. His good play in goal yielded a first-round pick when they dealt him to Colorado in 2011.

Varlamov has been the Avs goalie off and on for the last seven years. His record isn’t nearly as good in Colorado, where he’s posted a 163-137-29 in his seven years there.

However, his SV% is .916 and has a slightly elevated GAA from his days in the nation’s capital that is now up to 2.70. A case can be made Varlamov’s record is more the product of his team and not indicative of declining play.

ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 1: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his third-period goal during the game against the Colorado Avalanche. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#2 Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks – 2003

2003 was a great draft year. The Canucks found a gem in current Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler at number 23. Anaheim could have taken Kesler when they drafted at 19th, but decided on Ryan Getzlaf instead. It worked out well for the Ducks, who have them both now.

Kesler has always been a fantastic two player. He is someone who can put the puck in the net, play strong in his own end, and most notably get under the skin of opposing players and fans alike.

His first 10 years in the NHL were with Vancouver. He had four straight 40+ point seasons including his best two seasons of 75 and 73 points respectively. The latter total in 2010-11 helped Kesler and Vancouver make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Prior to the 2014-15 season, Anaheim traded for Kesler. Over his first three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, he averaged 50 points. Last year he missed significant time while rehabbing from hip surgery.

Kesler has been to two Western Conference Finals with the Ducks and has been a pivotal reason why they were there. Rumor has it his hip injury may be more serious than originally thought. Ducks fans are waiting to hear if RK17 will be back and 100% for a run at the Cup in 2018-19.

Carolina Hurricanes Ray Whitney (13) waves to the crowd as he is honored for having played in his 1000th NHL game. (Chris Seward/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT via Getty Images) /

#1 Ray Whitney, San Jose Sharks – 1991

More from Pucks of a Feather

When he was drafted in 1991, there were only 22 picks per round. Officially it makes Ray Whitney a second rounder. In 2018 that’s a first-round pick so we’ll count it. He played for eight teams in 21 years, appearing in 1330 NHL games and amassing 1064 points.

Whitney eclipsed 30 assists and 50 points in 12 of his 21 seasons and was a two-time All-Star. Add in a Stanley Cup win with 2006 Carolina Hurricanes, and could make the Hockey Hall of Fame one day.

If Anaheim finds the next Ray Whitney and holds on to him, GM Bob Murray will add to his tremendous draft track record and set the Ducks up long term. NHL History, as well as Ducks history, say that it can happen.

Next: Best Players to wear jersey #s 66-98 in Ducks history

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