Updating the Anaheim Ducks Draft Class of 2016
The 2018 Entry Draft is underway. The Anaheim Ducks will look to add the new generation of young talent to their roster. It’s a good time for a progress report on the 2016 draft class.
The Anaheim Ducks have added plenty to the “next wave” in the past few drafts. Some of that talent that could be arriving in Anaheim sooner rather than later. To get everyone fired up for this draft class, I thought we’d give some updates on the picks from both of the last two drafts. Let’s start with 2016.
Max Jones – Round 1, 24th Overall
One of two Anaheim Ducks first-round picks in 2016, and one who will compete for a spot in the Ducks lineup this season. Ducks fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Max Jones and with good reason. Jones is a big power forward (6’3″ 210 lbs) who plays the left side and has the ability to play with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on the Ducks top line. Jones has the size to play in a fast cycling style. He also has the hands to finish as well.
A stalwart for the OHL’s London Knights for two and three-quarters seasons, he was traded to the Kingston Frontenacs for the last handful of games. Jones finished his junior career with 112 points in 127 games. Not exactly eye-popping stats but his consistency could make someone like Nick Ritchie expendable.
Jones could develop into a great player for the Ducks. After Ritchie’s bust season, I have to temper my expectations. A year in San Diego will show what the Ducks have in this power-forward. Expected NHL Arrival: 2019-2020
Sam Steel – Round 1, 30th Overall
Sam Steel was the final pick of the first round. Since then, Anaheim Ducks fans have been chomping at the bit for his NHL premier. He has been a prolific player at the Junior level. In four seasons with the Regina Pats of the WHL, he has posted point totals of; 54,70,131, and 83. Steel captained the season’s Pats all the way to the Memorial Cup championship game. Even in defeat, he showed his value when he was named Memorial Cup MVP.
In addition to proving himself at the Junior level, he has excelled on the international stage. Team Canada captured the gold medal at the world juniors last December. Steel was a bit part of the team’s success compiling nine points in seven games.
Steel is quick, has great hands and his scoring knack is equally as good as his play-making ability. He is slightly undersized but in today’s NHL that isn’t as big of a problem as it once was. As the Ducks try to get faster, Steel could be an internal option. Expected NHL Arrival: 2018-2019
Josh Mahura – Round 3, 85th overall
The only defenseman selected by Anaheim in 2016. All signs indicate Josh Mahura can follow in the same footsteps as current Ducks Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm. Mahura played four seasons in the Canadian Juniors. His first two seasons at Red Deer left much to be desired. He produced 9 total points and a -9 rating in 53 games.
Mahura found his footing in year three (2016-17). He put up 33 points in 39 games for Red Deer before a mid-season trade sent him to Regina where he posted another 20. He took the next step in 2017-18 as an alternate captain. On the same team as Sam Steel, he scored 22 goals and 69 points.
Mahura’s defensive game has improved as well. He was a +54 after joining the Pats. Mahura looks like he has the potential to be an offensive defenseman for the Ducks. Now a signed member of the organization, he finds himself in a blueline log-jam. Some seasoning in the AHL should help. Expected NHL Arrival: 2019-2020 (Larsson and Petterson could push this back a year if they play well)
Jack Kopacka – Round 4, 93rd Overall
Jack Kopacka presents an interesting case for the Anaheim Ducks. Selected in the fourth round it’s almost a coin flip on if he will pan out or not. However, the Ducks have a track record for late round steals with potential such as Ondrej Kase (7th round), Kevin Roy (4th round), Troy Terry (5th round). He has the skills to be a late round steal and a big contributor for the Ducks as well.
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Kopacka has been a consistent point getter for the Soo Greyhounds. It’s nice to see offensive prowess (63 points in 2017-18), the stat the excites me was his +28. Sometimes forwards who put up good numbers on one end don’t have sound defensive skills. Kopacka is a 200-foot player and that should bode well for the left wing sniper who can play either side of the pivot.
He’s versatile and we will see how badly he wants it since there is a whole crop of forwards ahead of him that he will have to compete with. Expected NHL Arrival: 2019-2020
Alex Dostie – Round 4, 115th Overall
Remember when I said late round draft picks are a coin flip? Well, it may be the other side of the coin with Alex Dostie. He is the only pick on this list that played professional hockey last season. After spending four years in the QMJHL, with marked improvement every year there was the hope his development would continue at the pro level.
Unfortunately in his first full season with the San Diego Gulls, he only managed 10 points in just over 40 games. He even found himself demoted to the Ducks ECHL affiliate, the Utah Grizzlies.
Dostie was signed to his entry-level deal this time last year and is still young. There is a chance he needs more time for his game to come around, similar to his junior career. With the potential for a good number of forwards to make the jump from San Diego to Anaheim this season, Dostie could find himself in a more prominent role for the Gulls. Expected NHL Arrival: 2020-2021
Tyler Soy- Round 7, 205th Overall
The final pick for the Anaheim Ducks in the 2016 Draft was Tyler Soy from the WHL’s Victoria Royals. Seventh-round selections are usually long shots to make the NHL. However, during his last season in Victoria, he produced 92 points. That’s pretty good for any junior player let alone one that wasn’t selected until the last couple picks of the entire entry draft.
Soy is s small center at 6′ and170 lbs, however, his speed is noticeable. Soy had his junior eligibility come to an end as this season wrapped up, so he will be a member of the Gulls next season. He like Dostie should be in a position to flourish under head coach Dallas Eakins and log big minutes. Expected NHL Arrival: 2020-2021
Next: Are the Ducks interested in Rasmus Ristolainen?
Tomorrow we’ll have an update on the 2017 draft class.