The results of the 2021 NHL Draft Lottery are in and the 3rd overall selection at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft belongs to our Anaheim Ducks! Drafting first and second overall, respectively, are the Buffalo Sabres and Seattle Kraken.
Despite falling to 3rd, the Ducks are still in a great position to secure another stellar asset at this year’s Draft. The general consensus amongst fans is that this year’s draft class is weak, but regardless of it not standing up to the last few drafts, there are still many players to get excited about.
The pandemic has thrown a wrench in things for sure, especially with the OHL not resuming play for the 2020-21 season. However, this might work out in the Anaheim Ducks’ favor as there is no clear consensus number one and two at this year’s Draft.
The first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft is set to take place on July 23, 2021. Much like last year, the Draft will be held virtually to ensure the health and safety of both the players and NHL staff.
Anaheim Ducks Will Be Able to Fill Holes at the Draft
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It is unsure which direction Bob Murray and co. will take, but with a glaring number of holes in their organization, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to, once again, take the best player available. In his recent video to the media, Murray mentioned that the Ducks are in desperate need of Top 6 forwards, and the only way they can get that is through the draft or trading. In a draft that is very defense-heavy, things are very up in the air.
However, with players like Luke Hughes, Matthew Beniers, Owen Power, Dylan Guenther, Fabian Lysell, Jesper Wallstedt, Kent Johnson, Brandt Clarke, and more, the Anaheim Ducks are in a great spot to get a key prospect that will more than likely play a big role in their rebuild.
Imagine a 1-2 punch of Trevor Zegras and Matty Beniers down the middle or a dynamic defensive pairing in Jamie Drysdale and Luke Hughes. If Murray wants goal-scoring, Dylan Guenther might be our guy. Kent Johnson is a defensively sound forward who can also score. Regardless of where the Ducks drafted this year, they still have the opportunity to fill a big hole, and that is what is most important.
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