Pucks of a Feather
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Ranking the Possible Anaheim Ducks 2019 Draft Selections

By Jonathan Maxfield

ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 19: Team Langenbrunner forward Matt Boldy (9) celebrates his 2nd period goal during the USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game between Team Leopold and Team Langenbrunner on September 19, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. Team Leopold defeated Team Langenbrunner 6-4.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 19: Team Langenbrunner forward Matt Boldy (9) celebrates his 2nd period goal during the USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game between Team Leopold and Team Langenbrunner on September 19, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. Team Leopold defeated Team Langenbrunner 6-4.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Anaheim Ducks
VANCOUVER , BC – JANUARY 5: Jack Hughes #6 of the United States skates against Finland during a gold medal game at the IIHF World Junior Championships at Rogers Arena on January 5, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /

Number 8- Jack Hughes (USA NTDP)

I know, I know. Jack Hughes is the consensus top pick in the draft,.so why is he the 8th most likely? I’ll explain, but first, let me talk a little bit about Mr. Hughes, Jack Hughes is considered the most likely to be selected 1st overall, he’s a smaller player at under 6’0 and a fairly scrawny 168lbs (Second lightest out of the 10 players listed here).

He plays a fast game with silky hands, a slick shot, a strong skating ability and even better at passing the puck. He plays center which is at a premium in the draft as finding a top line center is extremely difficult in the NHL and whoever gets Jack Hughes will likely be looking at the face of their franchise for as long as they keep him.

So why so low? A combination of things, 1: It’s unlikely that the Ducks get the top overall spot, and 2: even if they got the first overall spot I have a sneaking suspicion that Murray would take someone else. The only way that I could see the Ducks ending up with Jack Hughes is if they win the 2nd overall spot, and the team in the first overall spot takes the other consensus top 2 picks.

Team Fit- 10/10- Jack Hughes is EXACTLY what the Ducks need, the heir apparent to Ryan Getzlaf with the potential to be one of the best players to ever suit up for the Ducks.

Likelihood- 1/10- However I think it’s far more likely that any of these other players would be future Ducks than the stars to align and Hughes to end up the Anaheim Ducks pick.

Comparable- I’ve heard Patrick Kane, I’ve heard Steve Yzerman, I think

a young Patrick Kane who emphasized playmaking more than goal-scoring is the best comparable.

Number 7- Dylan Cozens (WHL Lethbridge)

Dylan Cozens is currently ranked somewhere in the 3rd-6th overall in most mock drafts. He’s a big power-forward standing 6’3 and 180lbs. Cozens is listed as a center but plays quite a bit on the wing, He doesn’t possess quite the shot that some of the other players on this list have, but he’s a capable shooter, passes the puck well, and is quite a physical presence.

Cozens has all the tools to succeed in the NHL and be an effective player for wherever he ends up. The reason he’s ranked so low here is because of his projected spot, and the Ducks projected draft position. Simply put, Cozens isn’t one of the top 3 players (should the Ducks win a lottery spot) as I have him ranked 5th (4th for organizational fit), and I don’t see any conceivable way that he would fall to 8th-11th where the Ducks will be picking should they not win a lottery spot.

Team Fit- 8/10- A great fit for the Anaheim Ducks, I think there are better options available that fill the same role and are more likely to be Ducks under any circumstances

Likelihood- 2/10- I can’t see this happening, but it’s not impossible, just far more unlikely than anyone not named Jack Hughes or Vasili Podkolzin

Comparable- I think someone like a Jeff Carter or maybe Ryan Johansen would be the best comparable

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