4 Players the Anaheim Ducks Should Target with Bostons Draft Pick
The Anaheim Ducks have two first-round draft picks going into the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Who should Bob Murray target with Boston’s pick?
For the second year in a row, the Anaheim Ducks are walking into the NHL Entry Draft (whenever that may be) with two draft picks in the first round. With their current position in the standings, it is likely that Anaheim will walk away with an even higher draft pick than their 9th overall selection last year. However, they also get to add the Boston Bruins first-round pick into the mix.
Acquired in the Ondrej Kase trade, this draft pick will more than likely be the final selection in the first round. However, the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft is so incredibly deep, the Anaheim Ducks have the opportunity to draft two players who could have a rather large impact on the future of the franchise.
There has been a lot of focus on who the Anaheim Ducks should draft with their own first-round draft pick. Names like Alex Holtz and Lucas Raymond come to mind. However, there hasn’t been a lot of focus on who they should draft or what they should do with the pick they received from Boston.
Bob Murray always has the option to trade the pick away, but we will save that discussion for another day. Today, we’re going to focus on 4 players he could potentially target with the 31st overall selection of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Granted, knowing Murray, he could go in a completely different direction with this pick. Nevertheless, it’s always fun taking a wild guess as to what could happen come draft day.
Noel Gunler, RW, Lulea (SHL)
Of Swedish stock, Noel Gunler seems like a very typical Bob Murray selection. We’ve written about Gunler before, his draft profile being among one of the first featured here at Pucks of a Feather for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Projected to be drafted between 10th and 19th overall, there are some scouts who believe he could still be available by the time Anaheim makes their second first-round selection.
One of Gunler’s biggest downfalls, and a reason he could possibly fall in the draft, are his attitude problems. After being left off of the Swedish U18 roster, Gunler went off on officials. It was for similar reasons he was also withheld from the U20 World Junior Summer Showcase. Once again, Gunler’s attitude issues were displayed for all to see when he pushed over a linesman during his time in the SuperElite Leauge. Bob Murray isn’t one to bring in players who cause issues on the ice or in the locker room, and for that reason, Gunler already has two strikes against him.
However, Gunler is young and impressionable, and Anaheim could be a good environment for him to clean up his attitude and take big steps in maturity. With the current crop of forwards in the Anaheim Ducks system, this could also give Gunler adequate time to improve his attitude as well as deficiencies in his game.
Noel’s offensive creativity is his most impressive feature, however, and the Anaheim Ducks are desperate for some creativity. While some would beg to differ, the young forward is a relatively strong skater, which makes him a threat on the ice. He makes clean zone entries, has great puck control, and his greatest strengths lie in his incredible decision-making skills.
He is a great passer, but he also has the potential to be a great goal scorer. His shot, with a dangerously quick release, is a sight to behold. Noel is very calculated and has taken great strides since entering the SHL to improve areas of his game he had trouble being consistent in early in his hockey career.
One of the biggest criticisms of his game, however, is his unwillingness to get physical since his transition to the SHL. The NHL tends to be a little more physical than the SHL, and Noel’s inconsistency when it comes to aiding his teammates when they need that extra physical support will not translate well in North American hockey. Nevertheless, these areas of his game can be worked on, and it is not the end all be all of his hockey career. He will make some team very happy, whoever ends up drafting him.
Kaiden Guhle, LHD, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
18-year-old Kaiden Guhle is a native of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. The young defenseman had a rather impressive draft year, posting 40 points this season with the Prince Albert Raiders, including WHL career highs of 11 goals and 29 assists. This was a large jump in offensive production from a mere 17 points just a season before. And, if the name sounds familiar, you would be correct. Kaiden is the younger brother of Anaheim Ducks defensive prospect, Brendan Guhle.
While the Anaheim Ducks have a plethora of left-handed defenseman, they have shown that they’re willing to forego traditional roles if the need arises. Guhle’s skill set, should he still be available, could possibly be worth drafting another left-handed d-man. Projected to go anywhere between 14th and 28th overall, there is a possibility he could still be available depending on the direction other teams go with their draft picks.
Guhle has been praised as a two-way defenseman, although more notably for his defensive skills. One-on-one play seems to be the bread and butter of his defensive game. Scouts have praised his footspeed, stick positioning, and his excellent gap-control. He has quick decision-making skills and his feet are always moving. While these are all great qualities, what may be the icing on the cake for Murray is Guhle’s willingness and ability to be aggressive.
Kaiden has a pretty well-rounded game, however. He has an incredibly accurate shot, which yields lots of power, allowing him to generate many offensive opportunities. His passing is a notable skill, as he is able to make smooth passes under any circumstances, something the Anaheim Ducks desperately need in their system.
Another skill Guhle possesses that would make him a great fit for the Ducks is his impact on special teams. It is no secret that Anaheim has struggled on both the power play and penalty kill over the past few seasons, and Guhle has been a key piece to the Raiders’ successful special teams. With Guhle on their team, the Raiders have ranked near the top of the WHL in special teams over the last two seasons.
Kaiden has all the tools to potentially be a top-pairing defenseman in the NHL one day. Plus, wouldn’t it be great to have another set of brothers dressed as Anaheim Ducks? Shaping up to be one of the top defensive prospects of the draft, any other team would be a fool not to draft him if they were to draft in the middle or at the end of the first round. However, should the stars align, and he’s still available, Bob Murray should seriously consider Guhle with the latter of his first-round picks.
Tyson Foerster, C/W, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Tyson Foerster started the season as barely a blip on any NHL team’s radar for the first round. While his first season in the OHL wasn’t horrific, his stats weren’t something that would blow you out of the water. However, as the 2019-20 season progressed, Foerster’s game exploded. Even with the season being cut short, the 18-year-old had an incredible draft year, posting 80 points for the Barrie Colts in just 62 games, outscoring his teammates by almost 40 points!
The Anaheim Ducks are in need of an injection of offensive talent, and Foerster doesn’t have many faults when it comes to the offensive side of his game. His shot is absolutely lethal and he has one thing most seasoned players on the Anaheim Ducks don’t have: the ability to finish. He also seems to be a special teams mastermind, especially on the power play, scoring almost half of his goals in 2019-20 on the power play.
He isn’t the greatest skater, but has improved over the last season, and his transition game needs a little bit of work before he makes the leap into the NHL. However, Foerster is extremely consistent in his production and plays a stable and rather smart game. He has the frame to compete physically in the NHL and will only become a better player as he smooths out the rough edges of his game.
Invited to the CHL Top Prospect Game earlier this year. With big names, who are projected to go early in this year’s draft, present, it was actually Foerster who made the biggest impression. He scored two goals, with an added helper, to push Team White to a win over Team Red. While he is projected to go anywhere from 20th to 40th overall, he could be a great piece to round out the Anaheim Ducks’ current arsenal of prospects. Even if Murray doesn’t consider him for the first round, their second-round pick isn’t too far away.
Ridly Greig, C/LW, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Ridly Greig was actually ranked 31st overall by Bob McKenzie earlier this season. And who better to take a little wisdom from than the Bob Father himself? Son of former NHL player and Philadephia Flyers scout, Mark Greig, Ridly has been exposed to the sport of hockey his entire life. His game is the perfect blend of his skill and, Bob Murray’s favorite, grit.
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Although he has played as the top-line center for the Brandon Wheat Kings, Greig has also spent time on the wing as well. He can be a versatile part of any lineup. He has an incredible attitude and work ethic that make him very easy to coach and play alongside. However, when he is on the ice, there are moments he can tend to enter dangerous waters with some undisciplined play, a la Nick Ritchie.
However, the kid has an incredible set of skills. While he is considered more of a passer than a shooter, he can be a threat in both aspects of the game. He is speedy and drives the pace of the game very well. His vision on the ice and his ability to anticipate his opponent’s next move allows him to create opportunities out of nothing. He uses his time and space wisely and always seems to maintain awareness of his surroundings.
Ridly has incredible puck handling and stick handling abilities. He is sound in his decision making, but don’t be fooled; he isn’t afraid to add a little trickery to his game to get his team in a prime position to score a goal.
Greig plays well in all three zones, but his size maybe a little bit of an issue. At only 5’11” and 159lbs, there is always the potential that he could get pushed around by other players. Nevertheless, he has great speed, a quick stick, and is very quick-witted. If he bulks up a little bit, he shouldn’t have too many issues once he is NHL ready.
Next. Ducks Re-sign Brendan Guhle and Sam Carrick. dark
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