Anaheim Ducks Late First-Round Targets: 2020 NHL Draft

Bob Murray made a trade with the Boston Bruins three days before the trade deadline. This deal sent former Ducks spark plug Ondrej Kase to Boston in exchange for veteran David Backes, prospect defenseman Axel Andersson, and Boston's 2020 First Round Pick. This return for the somewhat injury-prone Kase was exemplary compared to which the Ducks were predicted to receive for the speedy Czech winger. David Backes and his six million dollar contract ($1,500,000 retained by Boston) was the big reason the Ducks even received a first-round pick in the first place. Axel Andersson looks to pan out to be a fringe top-four defenseman who utilizes his good puck skills to be a crucial presence on the power-play. The one perplexing part of the return that the Ducks received from Beantown; their first-round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft. This draft choice likely slots from the range of 28th to 31st. So, if the Ducks want to make the most of this draft selection they would have to pick the best skater available at that selection.

Justin Barron (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)

Shoots: Right

Position: Defense

What the Ducks lack is a right-handed defenseman. Ever since the departures of Sami Vatanen and Brandon Montour, the only significant right-handed presence on the blueline since then has been Josh Manson. Even then, the once-solid Manson has not been his normal physical, defensive-defenseman self. The need for a right-handed defenseman has never been higher for the young Ducks. Justin Barron has had a solid year in the QMJHL for the Mooseheads. He is a stay-at-home defenseman who has room to refine his offensive game. In 34 CHL games, the Halifax native has put up a solid 19 points. Not bad for a defender who regularly lingers behind the rush. Justin Barron stands at 6'2" 195lbs, so he can potentially hold his own against the NHL's larger forwards in battles in front of the net as he improves down his development path. For someone of his stature, Barron skates sensationally. He can chase down opposing forwards who are much smaller than he is, so odd-man rushes should not be an issue when it comes to this young, up-and-coming defenseman. Barron's strengths come in his own end as his shot-blocking ability is indubitably second to none in this year's draft class. He looks to be a fringe top-pairing defenseman in the NHL. It would be quite the tough scene if the Ducks allowed a player like this to slip from their grasp if he is still in fact on the board at Boston's selection.

Jake Neighbours (Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL)

Shoots: Left

Position: Left Wing/Right Wing

The Ducks took a left-wing in this range last year in the likes of fellow Western Hockey League standout, Brayden Tracey. The Ducks prospect core is currently log jammed with Left Wings and Centers, so why take Jake Neighbors with this selection? Well, Neighbours is a strong net-front presence and he is very versatile when it comes to shifting wings. The Alberta native has had a breakout season for the Oil Kings, seeing his point totals jump from 24 in his 2018-19 campaign, to 70 in the abbreviated 2019-20 season. Neighbours' style of play is comparable to that of former Duck, Chris Kunitz. His explosive skating ability gives defenders a tough time when trying to take the puck from him. His ability to win puck battles in the corners might be tops in this draft class. His tenacious drive to win is something any championship team would fancy to have aboard. Neighbours need to get a bit quicker to adapt to the NHL, but his shot and competitiveness make up for his lack of footspeed. He projects to be a middle-six forward in the NHL. 

William Wallinder (Modo U-20, SuperElit)

Position: Defenseman

Shot: Left

William Wallinder is essentially a raw ball of clay waiting to be molded. If the Ducks were to take the 6'4" 185-pound defenseman it would not be the biggest surprise as Bob Murray and crew love to take Swedish players; fellow countrymen Rickard Rakell, Hampus Lindholm, Jacob Larsson, and Isac Lundestrom make up around almost half of the First Rounders the Ducks had in the 2010s. Wallinder's speed at his height makes him special. He might just very well be the diamond in the rough in this draft as he yields vast potential. Wallinder, a very raw talent, with the right grooming can be a star in the NHL. The slender Swede, as I'd like to call him, already holds a very high hockey IQ and thinks quicker than most defenders his age. This raw talent also plays on edge a bit as he isn't afraid to scrap, defend a teammate, or get into a scrum. I'd tout him as a slightly taller Niklas Hjalmarsson as his style of play somewhat resembles his Swedish compatriot. He plays a high-tempo game which is just what the Ducks are trying to move towards nowadays. William Wallinder's potential could range from 7th defenseman to Elite with the right development. This would be a high-risk, high-reward selection for the Anaheim Ducks. They could use a high-caliber defenseman on their blueline.

By: Greg Shrubb