Ducks Can Strengthen Bottom-Six with No. 31 Pick in 2024 NHL Draft – The Hockey Writers – Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks hold two first-round picks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, scheduled for June 28-29 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The team sought the No. 3 overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery and received the No. 1 pick. 31 to the Edmonton Oilers in the Adam Henrique trade.

A lot of intrigue surrounds the No. 3 pick. The Ducks could create an early domino effect if Scott Wheeler of The Athletic is correct in his assessment of the situation. “The Ducks have been a difficult team to study in this program. I’ve heard Anton Silayev and Cayden Lindstrom early, but as time goes on and I continue to gather more information about them, I’m not sure if they’ll take anything (I’d bet Silayev is more likely than Lindstrom based on what I’ve heard in the past few weeks). [General manager] Pat Verbeek has a type, and both of those guys can fit it. So is Sam Dickinson. But one name I’ve thrown around twice now in the last few hours with the Ducks is Beckett Sennecke. I believe Sennecke is solid in the starting mix there, and I think the Ducks are considering him. That could shake things up” (from ‘2024 NHL Final Draft Thoughts: What I’m hearing, comparables, late-stage adjustments,’ The Athletic, June 26, 2024).

Related: Duck news and gossip: No. 3 Draft Picks, Zegras, Laine & More

Putting that on the back burner for now, the Ducks should be able to land another talented prospect with the No. 1 pick. 31. There are a number of forward attractors that Verbeek and the scouting staff can point to:

Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie

Cole Beaudoin produced 28 goals and 62 points in 67 regular season games for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2023-24. He also added two goals and three assists in six playoff games. In addition, he won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship in early May after scoring two goals and two assists in seven contests.

His scouting report is similar to Nathan Gaucher, who was selected by the Ducks with the No. Beaudoin plays an aggressive style, getting into the frontcourt to deliver big hits and drive to the net to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He is full of leadership qualities and has an excellent work ethic.

Andrew Basha, LW, Medicine Hat

Andrew Basha accumulated 30 goals and 85 points in 63 regular season appearances for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2023-24. He also had three goals and two assists in five playoff games. The 18-year-old Win is another strong defensive type but combines that with good playmaking skills and high scoring.

Basha is an excellent skater, handles the puck well, and can make plays without rushing. He has the profile of a reliable middle-six hitter and proved he can play at the top of the lineup when he moved up to the Tigers after Lindstrom was injured in the 2023-24 campaign. “It was important for me to show everyone that, you know, I don’t need high-level players to play with, and I can drive my own line and maybe use it as an opportunity,” said Cami Kepke of the official WHL website. . “Anytime you’re sharing with other good players, you know you’re going to look good.”

Ryder Ritchie, C/RW, Prince Albert

Ryder Ritchie scored 19 goals and 44 points in 47 regular-season games for the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders in 2023-24. He added three markers and seven points in five playoff contests. The 17-year-old was also a member of Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship. He registered four goals and eight points in seven outings in the tournament.

The son of former NHLer Byron Ritchie is a fast skater with an excellent shot, tricky playmaking skills, and a high motor. He can work his way into a top-six role at the NHL level but would be better suited for a middle-six spot on the roster.

Sam O’Reilly, C/RW, London

Sam O’Reilly accumulated 20 goals and 56 points in 68 games with the OHL’s London Knights during the 2023-24 campaign. He also led all rookies in playoff scoring with 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 16 games en route to winning the OHL championship.

O’Reilly plays a 200-foot game and is a strong scout. He has outstanding awareness on the ice, which goes well with his strong performance. The 18-year-old forward should be able to claim a middle-six role at the NHL level.

The Ducks Can Set Up a Reliable Test Line

The forwards here all share similar qualities and could be pieces of a formidable power line in the Ducks’ future. Verbeek has already identified pace and fitness as things he wants in a top-six squad. That will likely be handled through free agency, but it would also be beneficial to bring in homegrown talent for those roles through the NHL Draft.