Five Anaheim Ducks prospects who can surprise and contribute in 2018-19
The Anaheim Ducks have a stocked developmental pipeline. Every year a prospect surprises everyone at training camp. Who could that surprise player be this year?
Every season there are a couple prospects who surprise everyone to contribute on the Anaheim Ducks NHL Roster. Searching through Ducks history, there have been players like Dan Sexton, Brandon McMillan, Chris Wagner and Ondrej Kase who broke through to contribute unexpectedly. Last year, Marcus Pettersson got a call-up and refused to be sent back down. This season, there are several prospects who can fit the bill.
Since this article is looking at prospects who can surprise by making the Anaheim Ducks roster, Sam Steel and Troy Terry won’t be included. Both guys are blue-chip caliber prospects and are expected to see some time with the big club this season.
Honorable Mentions
Jacob Larsson – The former first-round pick has his work cut out for him should he make the Ducks roster. He has the talent, but the blueline is crowded. I can see the Ducks moving him as part of a package for a scoring winger.
Max Jones – Another first-round pick making the jump to the professional level. Physically, Jones can hang in the NHL ranks, but he has the potential to become more than a grinder. Spending time in the AHL is needed to access his full abilities.
Kalle Kossila – He’s an honorable mention due to the expectation he will be playing for the Ducks in some capacity. Anaheim’s center depth is thin and he’s been a standout for the Gulls. He’s not someone that needs to develop, so he could potentially stay in Anaheim even if he’s not a full-time roster player.
5. Giovanni Fiore, 21 years old, LW
Why he can make the Ducks – Fiore is a goal scorer. While he isn’t the flashiest player on the ice, he consistently gets himself into scoring position. His compact release allows him to get shots off in a hurry, and he does a nice job of changing his shooting angle.
During his first pro season, Fiore was able to net an impressive 18 goals for the Gulls, which led to a one-game audition in Anaheim. The Ducks lacked players with the ability to finish a play during the past year, so he can capture depth scoring role with a strong camp.
Why he stays in San Diego – Despite having NHL size (6’1″, 190 lbs), he’s not a physical player. Fiore’s game is one-dimensional at the moment, so he’ll need to be in a scoring role to impact the team. The Ducks tend to utilize “energy” players on the fourth line who hit and score “greasy” goals, which isn’t Fiore’s game.
Fiore is still young, so he can use the extra ice-time available by suiting up for the Gulls. He’ll focus on adding grit to his game and try to be a difference maker on both ends of the ice.
Forcast – Carlyle has mentioned he wants to play a faster game, so it’s possible the fourth line will be focused on accomplishing the task. If that’s the case, Fiore will be competing for a role. I definitely see a few games for him in Anaheim, but most of his season will be spent in San Diego.
4. Keifer Sherwood, 23 years old, LW
Why he can make the Ducks – Ducks GM Bob Murray thought highly enough of the college free agent to sign him to a 3-year entry level deal. In addition, the contract Sherwood signed has a higher average annual value (AAV) than Murray was willing to give to current Ducks RFA’s Kevin Roy and Andy Welinski.
Besides his contract, Sherwood has an NHL ready game. He isn’t the biggest player (5’11” and 180lbs), but he is one of our most physically mature prospects. Sherwood’s solid two-way game was on full display during the Ducks annual prospect scrimmage. As previously mentioned, Carlyle likes to utilize energy players on the fourth line and that is right up Sherwood’s ally.
Why he stays in San Diego – Although he’s 23 years old, Sherwood only has 11 professional games of experience under his belt. Transitioning from college hockey is much easier than from juniors, but adjusting to an 82 game schedule is a difficult task regardless. Sherwood can use a year in San Diego learning how to tailor his game to the extended schedule.
The Ducks are crowded on the wing position and are entering the season with either Andrew Cogliano or Nick Ritchie on the fourth line. For a prospect to take a spot on the roster, it will likely be to score goals. Sherwood has a solid two-way game and appears to have an NHL future, but he’s not a goal scorer.
Forcast – Heading into camp healthy, prospects will be hard pressed to make the Ducks roster. That being said, injuries always take their toll throughout the season. Sherwood will be among the first call-ups and can see 15-20 games for the Ducks this season. When everyone is healthy, he will remain in San Diego.
Kevin Roy, 25 years old, LW
Why he can make the Ducks – An offensive dynamo, Roy brings high-end stick-skills into the mix. He earned a 25 game audition this past season and showed he has the ability to produce at the NHL level. After a scoring only one point in his first nine games, Roy acclimated his game and became a consistent scoring threat (five goals and six points over his final 11 games in Anaheim). Brimming with confidence, the Northeastern University alum nearly scored the goal of the year when he went between the legs with a shot that missed just wide.
In addition to his ability to score goals, Roy can affect the game in multiple ways. On the forecheck, he uses his quickness to disrupt passing lanes and creates turnovers. More of a playmaker than a goal scorer, Roy has a knack for setting his linemates up for tap-in goals. Fans are chomping at the bit for him to get an every game role in Anaheim.
Why he stays in San Diego – As previously mentioned, the Ducks are deep on the wings. Although he has shown an ability to produce at the NHL level, Roy’s diminutive size will remain a concern. Bigger opponents were able to knock him off the puck too easily and will be something he’ll have to adapt to.
Injuries have plagued the Ducks the past two campaigns, which forced Carlyle to overuse Jakob Silfverberg in defensive situations. While he’s not a liability in his own zone, Roy won’t be used on the penalty kill or shoulder any heavy defensive minutes. Getting a depth player who can take defensive responsibility from Silfverberg should be a high priority.
Forcast – Kevin Roy spends nearly the entire season with Anaheim. He’s 25 years old and spending another year in San Diego doesn’t add to his “development.” It’s a make or break season for the “Jitterbug.” If he doesn’t make it in the NHL this season, he is potentially the next perennial AHL All-Star side show a la Rob Schremp. Roy has too much talent to let that happen and he makes a mark in Anaheim this season.
2. Joseph Blandisi, 24 years old, Forward
Why he makes the Ducks – Blandisi was acquired with Adam Henrique and a 3rd round pick when Anaheim sent Sami Vatanen to New Jersey. As such, he’s been a forgotten man and Ducks fans expectations for him are almost non-existent. GMBM acquired him for a reason and his versatility was a big factor in the decision to trade Vatanen.
Not only does Blandisi play a solid two-way game, he also has the ability to play center and wing effectively. For several seasons, he was expected to be a breakout candidate for the Devils but never seemed to find a home with them. In a limited three-game sample with the Ducks, he impressed with his poise and responsibility in the defensive zone.
In addition to Carter Rowney, Blandisi is a player who Carlyle can rely on to take defensive responsibilities away from Silfverberg and Kesler (should he be healthy). Blandisi’s defensive play has improved each season. Despite starting over 56% of his shifts in the defensive zone while in Anaheim, he had an even Corsi rating (50%) and helped a depleted Ducks roster carry the play as evident by his 55.3% Fenwick score.
Why he stays in San Diego – He’s been given opportunities in the past, but hasn’t been able to break through. Blandisi has the potential to be a solid middle line player, however, he might end up being in the mold of Chris Wagner. The Anaheim Ducks have prospects like Kalle Kossila in the mix, so Blandisi will have to be more than a “Jack of all trades” to make the roster.
Blandisi will be a restricted free agent after the season, so Anaheim has control over the young forward. As such, Murray won’t force the Markham, Ontario native into a role just to see what he has in the prospect. It’s possible Blanidisi stays in San Diego as part of the leadership core.
Forcast – I believe he takes a spot in Anaheim’s bottom-six. Be it on the wing or at center, Blandisi is ready to contribute. He is an asset on the penalty kill and defensively, which will limit the fatigue to players like Getzlaf and Silfverberg. In addition, he has the skills to contribute offensively.
1. Maxime Comtois, 19 years old, LW
Why he makes the Ducks – Heading into his draft year, Maxime Comtois was ranked as a potential top 15 pick. After a sophomore slump in juniors, he fell to the Ducks in the second round of the 2017 NHL draft. The power forward had a rebound season (44 goals, 85 points in only 54 games) that left the other 30 NHL clubs who passed on him sighing with regret.
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Comtois size, 6’2″, 210 lbs, aids his ability to dominate Junior competition. Since he was drafted from juniors, he is not eligible to play in the AHL. Power forwards at the Junior level often get too comfortable using their size and don’t develop the finer aspects of their game. Devante Smith-Pelly is a prime example as he made the Ducks roster as a 19-year-old for that very reason.
MC is far from a one trick pony and has a solid all-around game. He’s responsible in the defensive zone and has an NHL caliber shot. After being a key member of Canada’s World Junior Championship gold medal winning team, Comtois has very little left to prove outside the professional ranks. Due to his high-end skill set, he can earn a role on a scoring line much earlier than expected.
Why he goes back to the QMJHL – There’s no need to rush his development unless he’s truly ready to contribute. The Junior hockey transfer rule prohibiting prospects from playing in the AHL until their age 20 season is typically detrimental for power forwards. However, Comtois isn’t a power forward who dominates because of his size and he can continue to develop his finesse skills.
After a breakout season in the Q, Comtois was traded Drummondville Voltigeurs. A change of scenery will allow the Ducks to witness what leadership qualities he possesses. Drummondville paid a hefty price to acquire the power forward, so they are expecting him to lead the Voltigeurs to a championship. Those opportunities are few and far between, so being able to expose Comtois to the rigors and expectations that come with along with it is invaluable.
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Forcast – I don’t see him playing more than the 10 games allowed before burning a year of his entry-level contract. While Comtois has the skills required to contribute and it’s why he’s number one on this list, it will be shocking if he forces both Cogliano and Ritchie to the fourth line. Spending another season in the Q is likely in the cards for the former second-round pick. That said, don’t count him out as both Kase and Pettersson were given very little odds at making the Ducks roster but did so anyway.