Anaheim Ducks: Goaltender Lukas Dostal Signed to 3-Year ELC

The Anaheim Ducks have signed their 2018 3rd round draft pick, Lukas Dostal, to a 3-year entry level contract.

Every team has had their hit and misses when it comes to the man in the crease. However, over the past 25 years, the Anaheim Ducks have had more successes than failures, and the buck doesn’t stop with John Gibson and Ryan Miller. Yesterday, the Ducks announced that they had signed their 2018 3rd round draft pick, Lukas Dostal, to a 3-year entry level contract (ELC.)

Lukas Dostal’s 2018-19 Performance Earns Him a Contract with the Ducks

The 18-year-old Czech goaltender spent most of the 2018-19 season on loan to SK Horacka Slavia Trebic, one of 15 different teams in the Czech2 league; the second highest level of professional hockey in the country. In 24 games with SK Horacka Slavia Trebic, Dostal posted a save percentage of .915%.

Dostal also spent part of his season on loan to Ilves, a team in the Finnish Liiga league. While he only played 10 games during the regular season, he posted a .922% save percentage with 1.80 goals against average. He joined the team in the playoffs, defending their crease, playing a total of 7 games, posting .907%.

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Ducks Nation got a closer look at the newest addition to their goaltending prospect pool during the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship where he quickly became the favorite in net for the Czech Republic.

Despite being the youngest player on the Czech roster during the WJC, Dostal became a reliable and steadfast entity for the team. Starting between the pipes in 4 of their 5 contests, he posted a save percentage of .956%.

Facing 115 SOG in 4 games, he managed to let in only 5 goals. His calm, cool, and collected demeanor became a staple of the Czech Republic team, and although they made an early exit, Ducks Nation was left in awe by his performance.

Vying for Ryan Miller’s Job: Lukas Dostal vs Olle Eriksson Ek

Ryan Miller more than likely has a few good years left in him, but signing Dostal to a 3-year ELC is a sign that retirement is in Miller’s near future. The Anaheim Ducks organization has preached getting younger and faster. John Gibson still has a few valuable lessons he can learn from Miller, but then it is his turn to become the teacher. More than likely than not, either Olle Eriksson Ek or Lukas Dostal will be transitioned into the backup goaltender role within the next few years.

Although Jeff Glass has had a phenomenal performance with the San Diego Gulls in the postseason thus far, his contract ends when the season does. This would be the perfect opportunity for the Anaheim Ducks to familiarize Eriksson Ek or Dostal with their system, as well as give Bob Murray and co. a chance to see what they have to offer the franchise.

The transition wouldn’t be too difficult for either goaltender, as they are both accustomed to playing alongside older, more experienced players in their respective leagues. Due to Dostal’s age, however, it would make sense for Eriksson Ek to be given the nod and allow Dostal one more year to hone his craft in the Czech Republic.

Although Eriksson Ek is the older, more tenured prospect of the two in the Anaheim Ducks system, he has struggled this past season. Granted, he only played a total of 16 games with his team, Karlskoga of the Swedish Allsvenskan league, but he posted a less than stellar save percentage of .901%.

One advantage Eriksson Ek has over Dostal is his size. He isn’t afraid to use his big body when he is in the pipes, and Dostal certainly lacks the bulk OEE has. Nevertheless, that one flaw is something Dostal can work on, and it would come as no surprise if we see the young Czech goaltender make his journey overseas in the next few seasons.

Which goaltender do you think is poised to take over the backup role once Ryan Miller retires from the NHL? Is Lukas Dostal or Olle Eriksson Ek your favorite? Let us know by leaving a comment down below!