Round Table: Grading the Anaheim Ducks 2020 Draft Selections

Artyom Galimov, Ak Bars Kazan, C (129th Overall)

Brad Senecal: B-

I have never been a big fan of drafting players older than the draft year (Galimov is currently 21 years of age when drafted), but Brandon Montour was a player as such and had a nice career with the Ducks before being shipped out so I’m willing to pay attention.

This pick brings in a player with a bit more experience and maturity as Galimov has played parts of the previous two seasons in the KHL, getting off to a good start this season as well (7 points in 12 games as of writing this article), showing that he has extended experience playing against men already.

Garrett Brown: B

Overager alert! I haven’t done much homework on him, but he appears to be one of the better-kept secrets of the KHL. And sometimes, prospects just take longer to develop or show their talent.

Galimov owns the front of the net. He continually finds his way there, plants himself, and shows outstanding skill in deciding what to do when the puck arrives in his vicinity. He reminds me of a combination of Perry’s dynamics and a general idea of being a nuisance to goalies and Ondrej Kase’s motor. Generally, fan bases don’t get as excited about 5th-rounders, but this may be an exception.

Ben Thomasian: B

I love this selection. He’s a little older than the average prospect (21 years), and is under contract for another year and a bit, however, he could potentially come in at a mature age when the Ducks fleet of youngsters are entering the scene and provide a steadying presence. Galimov is a smaller
forward but one who sees the ice well and can create offensively, yet defend to a very reasonable degree.

Quite frankly he led the third line he was placed upon and that speaks volumes in a grown men’s league. Likely won’t be a 20 goal scorer in the NHL, but could easily carve out a 3rd line role as a 30-point, “two-way” threat. This was his fourth and final year of eligibility for the draft and I
think that he can make the Anaheim Ducks happy they took him. I’m already happy they took him. Low risk, “high” reward. Excellent selection.

Ciara Durant: B+

This is the first time the Anaheim Ducks has drafted a Russian in… forever. That alone already makes me like Artyom Galimov. Granted, he is an overager (21-years-old) but I commend him for not giving up on his dreams of the NHL, and it was Bob Murray of all the GM’s who is giving him that opportunity (although, I suspect Madden had a big hand in this pick.)

The biggest knock against him is his size, standing at just 5’11” and 176 lbs. Nevertheless, in his first season in the KHL, he posted 13 goals and 23 points in 55 games. That’s pretty impressive for his freshman season playing on the third line for a team in the second-best men’s league. The KHL’s 2020-21 season is already underway as well, and his 7 points in 12 games seems pretty good to me.

He could be a very steady bottom-six guy for the Anaheim Ducks and seeing as how he’s already 21 and has experience playing in a men’s league, this could see him break into the NHL sooner than expected.

Overall Grade: