The Anaheim Ducks have the third-overall pick in this year’s draft, which is set to begin on July 23.
It’s a draft unlike others, with some leagues cancelling their seasons and prospects being forced to play elsewhere. For a lot of players, scouts will have a smaller sample size to go off of and there’s certainly a larger element of unpredictability in this draft.
In this article, we’ll look at three forwards the Ducks could look to select with the third-overall pick, followed by an article tomorrow which will take a look at which defenders the Ducks could target. Two forwards who aren’t listed here are Kent Johnson and Mason McTavish, who are also options but are probably less likely to be taken as early as third overall than the players listed below.
MATTHEW BENIERS
There’s certainly a chance that Beniers doesn’t even fall to the Ducks and instead, he and Owen Power could be taken by Buffalo and Seattle with the first two picks. If he does, however, I don’t see the Ducks passing on the chance to take him.
Beniers is a very good skater who’s comfortable leading a rush, with excellent agility and puck control skills. He’s a fun player to watch and projects to be a top-six center.
He had point-per-game numbers with the University of Michigan this year, playing on a stacked team with the likes of fellow draft prospects Owen Power and Kent Johnson, along with other players who have been selected in past years, in Cam York, Thomas Bordeleau, Brendan Brisson and John Beecher.
WILLIAM EKLUND
After a great year in Sweden’s highest professional league, Eklund looks to be one of the best forwards in the draft class.
He posted excellent numbers in the SHL, producing at a higher rate than 2020 top picks Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz this year. In fact, his points per game average in his draft year is on par with Nicklas Backstrom’s point per game average from the year he was drafted, when he was selected by the Washington Capitals way back in 2006.
Eklund isn’t overly large at just 5-foot-10, but is a well-rounded player who can carry the puck and create his own shooting or passing lanes. He can play both on the wing or at center and also projects to be a top-six forward.
DYLAN GUENTHER
Guenther is a winger who plays with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings and posted 12 goals and 24 points in 12 games this season.
While that’s certainly a small sample size, Guenther had also posted point-per-game numbers in his rookie WHL season in the 2019-20 season, scoring 26 goals and 59 points in 58 games.
He’s a goal scorer who can drive a lot of his offense off the rush and is capable of making plays in movement or getting to the right spot for a pass or rebound. Like Beniers and Eklund, Guenther is likely to develop into a top-six NHL forward.
Check back tomorrow for an article looking at which defenders the Ducks could look at with the third-overall pick.
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Who do you think is the most realistic pick for the Ducks, if they select a forward?
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