1 – Anaheim Ducks – Score 89.6

Top 15 Prospects

Individual Breakdown:

Forwards: Here we go, the top-ranked team in the Dobber Prospects Organizational Rankings. Let’s dive right in. Leo Carlsson has had quite the eventful first season, dealing with various injuries like a lower body injury, concussion, and MCL sprain, not to mention load management, prompting the Anaheim Ducks to proceed with caution. The Ducks felt he needed time to develop and adjust to the style of play as a young talent transitioning from the SHL to the NHL. It’s worth noting that he only turned 19 in December and in his rookie campaign, he played 55 games, tallying 12 goals and 17 assists. The addition of Cutter Gauthier to the Ducks has significantly boosted the team’s ranking. While they already boast a wealth of top prospects, Gauthier adds another layer of intrigue to the team’s rebuilding efforts over the coming years. While Gauthier is versatile enough to play both center and wing, the organization seems to be grooming Leo Carlsson for a center role alongside Trevor Zegras, potentially positioning Gauthier better on the wing. Regardless of his position, he’ll certainly have quality centers to work with on both lines.

Defensemen: Since the Drysdale trade, Pavel Mintykov and Olen Zellweger have had ample opportunity to gain valuable experience and establish themselves in the NHL. Mintykov, in particular, has proven to be a reliable replacement for Drysdale. He was on track to play nearly the entire season until an injury sidelined him in January. This setback provided Zellweger with a chance to showcase his abilities. Although Zellweger’s playing time was limited to 26 games with some fluctuations between the minors and the NHL in the second half of the season, both defensemen show considerable promise and offensive talent. Let’s not forget that the Ducks also have Tristian Luneau and Jackson Lacombe emerging as prospects. While there may be a slight drop-off from Zellweger to Luneau, having Mintykov and Zellweger as the top two defensemen, with Luneau and Lacombe rounding out the top four, bolsters the Ducks’ long-term prospects on the blue line.

Goalie: The goaltending situation in Anaheim continues to raise concerns, with Gibson’s performance falling short of past standards. Meanwhile, Lukas Dostal has an opportunity to step into the spotlight. While Dostal’s season wasn’t exceptional, he outperformed Gibson and performed well despite the lack defensive support from the entire team. He had a strong seven-game stretch in December during Gibson’s injury which strengthened the organization’s confidence, leading to a split in starts between the two goaltenders. While Dostal appears to be the team’s future netminder, he’ll more than likely continue sharing starts until any potential Gibson trade materializes.

Team Breakdown:

Yet again, this Anaheim Ducks season fell short of expectations, leaving much to be desired but the youth movement brings a sense of optimism and excitement. Trevor Zegras faced a slow start due to contract negotiations and an ankle injury, while McTavish’s playing time was limited to 64 games (due to injuries). The addition of Alex Killorn, who missed 19 games, didn’t pan out as expected, and Drysdale was traded. However, Frank Vatrano’s impressive 37-goal season provided a glimmer of hope, along with the opportunity for top prospects mentioned earlier to showcase their potential to the coaching staff for future lineup spots. The Anaheim Ducks have a wealth of promising prospects, and the potential inclusion of one or two veteran players is a decision the organization must consider, given the youthful composition of their team.