Number 2- Trevor Zegras (USA NTDP)
Trevor Zegras is projected in a bit of a neck and neck battle with Alex Turcotte, right in the 7-10 range. Zegras is the same height as Turcotte but is much lighter, weighing somewhere in the neighborhood of 165lbs. That lighter helps the style of game that Zegras plays, a big quicker a skater than Turcotte, he’s constantly making quick pivots and agile plays that get him open ice quite often.
One of Zegras’ strengths is his faceoff ability which is pivotal to being a successful NHL center. Zegras like Turcotte is a pass-first player, but his puck handling should not be discounted, at times it appears he has the puck on a string as he makes defenders look foolish on route to finding a passing option. Zegras is always moving his feet regardless of where the puck is, but I wouldn’t say that defensive play is his strength at this point.
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Team Fit- 8/10- I think Zegras is a slightly higher ceiling than Turcotte and his faceoff ability makes him a slightly better fit than Turcotte in my eyes.
Likelihood- 7/10- Same deal as Turcotte, they’re quite close in draft projection and should one of them be there when the Anaheim Ducks select, I think they’ll be a good choice.
Comparable- Zegras reminds me a bit of a slightly less dominant Matthew Barzal. I’m not sure his offensive tendencies will meet that of Barzal but the comparison play-style is there.
Number 1- Matt Boldy (USA NTDP)
I’ve got a feeling that Matthew Boldy will be an Anaheim Duck at the 2019 NHL draft. A 6’2 185lb winger who checks almost all the boxes that Bob Murray looks for in his players. He’s responsible defensively, he’s a big-bodied guy who isn’t afraid to get into the dirty spots of the ice. He’s not selfish consistently looking for an open passing option but not overly afraid to shoot the puck.
Boldy also excels at screening the goaltender, blocking out the sun while also having a tendency to tip pucks. Boldy is a quick player who has a pretty graceful stride for a bigger body, I think Boldy will be a good NHL player but doesn’t exactly have the highest ceiling. He seems like the low-risk type player that Murray frequently takes, he may not set the world on fire, but he’ll at least try and at the very least might be able to make a few sparks.
Team Fit- 6/10- He’s not a center, he’s a winger, but he fits all the other intangibles that Murray frequently looks for.
Likelihood- 9/10- I think he’s the most likely option for the Ducks short of them winning a lottery spot. I think that he’s not a high-ceiling enough for some of the other teams to take him over the other options meaning he will likely be available anywhere in the 8-11th range that the Anaheim Ducks are likely to pick.
Comparable- I’m having a really hard time thinking of a suitable comparable for Matt Boldy, I’ve heard a couple of people say Brady Tkachuk without the Tkachuk pest nature, and I can’t exactly think of someone who would be a better comparison so I think that will do for him.
Overall the Anaheim Ducks are set to get a good player in the top 11, it’s going to be an exciting time to be a Ducks fan in the coming days as we get a glimpse into the future of this team.
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