Anaheim Ducks: Checking In With The 2017 Draft Class

The NHL finished the 2018 Entry Draft yesterday. Before moving on, we take at the Anaheim Ducks 2017 draft class.

All of the excitement that corresponds with the draft is finally upon us. Anaheim Ducks General Manager, Bob Murray, has many tough decisions ahead of him. However, this year, the path to draft success has been laid out a little better than 2017 was.

With the consideration that “big name” Anaheim Ducks won’t be around in the near future, the next few draft years are going to be very important. It is essential that they build up inventory and start training young players to move into bigger roles. They don’t want to be “sitting ducks” when their key players reach retirement age.

However, Anaheim entered the 2017 draft without having a first-round draft pick. This was definitely not an ideal situation to be in. GMBM put himself in when gave up the Anaheim Ducks first round draft pick to the Dallas Stars in exchange for late-season pickup, Patrick Eaves. To Murray’s defense, it was a smart move picking up a goal-scoring veteran player for the playoffs.

There were definitely questions as to whether or not there would be any choice prospects available. Especially considering their first pick wasn’t until late in the second round. Additionally, the entire class as a whole wasn’t very strong.

The draft could have easily turned into a year where GMBM and the Ducks had to settle for players that didn’t quite fit the Anaheim Ducks mold. Fortunately, they were able to walk away with a trove of promising players. As an added bonus, Patrick Eaves signed a three-year extension, worth $9.45M.

Maxime Comtois

Maxime Comtois was the Anaheim Ducks first draft pick, 50th overall, in the second round of the 2017 entry draft.

It was Comtois’ significant drop in points from the previous season that dissuaded other teams from selecting him earlier in the draft. He ended the 2016-17 season with a total of 51 points. Compared to the 60 points he earned the season before, it was no wonder he was still available.

However, despite the hiccup in his point production, Bob Murray still saw his potential. GMBM saw that as his opportunity to select a player that fit the Anaheim mold perfectly.

Murray knew that Maxime Comtois would have a powerful presence on the ice. Not only is he physically large in appearance, standing at 6’2”, but he is a strong opponent. Comtois has the speed that GMBM is looking for going forward.

What makes him such a contender on the ice is character and confidence in his ability. This allows him to be an effective goal scorer at every angle, an asset the Ducks can never have too much of.

Comtois has continuously improved his play since being drafted by the Ducks. His increased productivity during the 2017-18 season earned him the spot as the Victoriaville Tigers top goal-scorer and point producer of the season. The 44 goals he netted, along with the 41 helpers he added, profited him a total of 85 points.

During the 2017-18 season, the Ducks signed Comtois to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Antoine Morand

Antoine Morand was the Ducks second, second-round draft pick, 60th overall. It was extremely smart of Bob Murray to swoop in and pick Morand when he did. Not only does he have great technique on the ice, but he is also a long time friend of Maxime Comtois.

After being drafted by separate junior teams, their friendship could have easily suffered. However, they have proven that their friendship can stand the test of time and distance. Being drafted by the Ducks will serve to further increase their bond.

Morand did not gain as much attention for his strategic game as Comtois did prior to the draft. However, his humble nature and admirable work ethic gave everyone a window to see the advanced levels of maturity he possesses.

His speed on the ice is emphasized by his ability to be a quickly distribute the puck. He also has proven to be a

reliable goal-scorer, an area where the Ducks could always use improvement. Morand’s 74 point, 2016-17, season with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan’s is further proof of his talents and abilities. During that season he netted 28 goals and added another 46 helpers.

Morand’s point production value has steadily increased over the past few years. The 2017-18 season saw him earn 76 points, with 26 goals and an added 50 assists. He earned his rightful place as the Titans number one point producer.

With the consistent improvement he has shown, there is no question that Antoine Morand fits into a mold that is similar to our captain, Ryan Getzlaf.

Jack Badini

Jack Badini was the Anaheim Ducks, 91st overall, third round selection in the 2017 entry draft. To many people, Badini may seem like just an average hockey player. In all honesty, until I did my research, nothing about him really stood out to me.

His 2016-17 season with the Chicago Steel was a break out year for him. In his previous two seasons with the Lincoln Stars, he had produced a combined total of 14 points. The trade to Chicago seemed to bring new life to his career.

He ended the season with 42 points on 28 goals and 14 helpers. As a result of his hard work, Badini was the leading goal scorer in the 2017 USHL playoffs. For the first time in their history, Chicago had won the Clark Cup championship.

Since he was drafted by Anaheim, Badini has gone on to play for the Harvard Crimson. He has become one of the leading freshman players, earning 17 points in 33 games. He also took home the George Percy award, given to a member of the freshman class for their enthusiasm, sportsmanship, team spirit, and loyalty. Badini is taking full advantage of Harvard and their reputation for helping to develop strong players.

Badini is the kind of player who is very difficult to knock off the puck. His enthusiasm and determination on the ice, combined with his speed, help in his ability to score goals in difficult situations.

Kyle Olson

Kyle Olson was the Anaheim Ducks, 122nd overall, fourth round 2017 draft pick.

Olson had a difficult time with his transition into the WHL due to injury. However, he took off in his second season with the Tri-City Americans. During the 2016-17 season, he was second on the team in points with 57 points (20g, 37a).

He is a relatively undersized player, at 5’11”and 170 pounds. His size may be an issue, but he doesn’t use it as an excuse or let it hold him back. His high energy has helped him to keep up with other larger, faster players. Olson has good vision on the ice and uses his intelligence to make plays out of nothing.

What sets him apart from other 2017 fourth round picks is his two-way ability. He has played at both wing and center, which allows him to easily adjust to changing situations. The fact that he is willing to play and develop at a position that he may not necessarily be comfortable in shows his maturity. It also shows that despite some hurdles he’s had to overcome, he is a fearless player on the ice.

Olson will obviously need to bulk up if he has any intention of cracking an NHL line up in the future. However, he has proven that he can be a valuable contributor to his team.