Our Anaheim Ducks Monthly Mailbag, June 2018: Power Play, Star Rookies, and RK17
By Ed Stein
It’s the fourth Friday of the month, which means it’s time for the monthly Anaheim Ducks mailbag. You ask the questions and our Pucks of a Feather staff answers them.
Here are our last two mailbags: May 2018, April 2018.
Question 1) I think the Ducks blew it on Isac Lundestrom, there were so many better players available to draft. What do you think?
Kenny Marcial: Despite the desire to draft certain players, our scouts do diligent work in making their picks. The Ducks picked 23rd and Lundestrom was the 20th rated prospect on Bob McKenzie’s list. Veleno and Bokk were the only two players left with higher rankings. Lundestrom is the best possible prospect for that pick. He played in the Swedish Elite League and had a consistent role in the WJC, which is very uncommon for a 17-year-old.
Jacob Robles: I personally didn’t know too much about a lot of the guys that went in this years draft, but I’m content with their decision. I trust our scouts fully, we’ve gotten some steals in the last couple drafts.
Chris Bushell: To this point, I have a real hard time ever doubting the Ducks draft day strategies, they have consistently had great drafts and they know much more about Ludenstrum than I do. He was rated in the mid-20s. Picking him 23rd fits. Personally, I wanted Akil Thomas but he fell to the second round so clearly, teams didn’t value him as much as me.
Blake Navarro: I believe that the Ducks have one of the best scouting departments in the league when it comes to drafting talent. So I’m going to believe they made the right choice.
Ed Stein: I won’t say the Ducks blew it. There were two or three players I liked better than Lundestrom. Dominik Bokk was the best player available on my board.
Ciara Durant: Maybe there are better players out there. It isn’t about who is better, it’s about who is the best fit for the team. A different, “better player” may not have been a good fit for the Anaheim Ducks. I do, however, trust the judgment of the scouts and GMBM. I don’t think the Ducks blew it by picking him. I’m content with this draft pick.