2015-16 Anaheim Ducks Top 10 Prospects

Anaheim possesses one of the deepest prospect pools with plenty of talent in Norfolk their AHL affiliate, as well as in the CHL and Europe.

The Ducks have a deep NHL roster as well so the team can take their time with the kids and continue to develop them slowly. While there are few openings with the big club, several of their top prospects will be forcing their way into the NHL soon.

1. Nick Ritchie: Left Wing – 6′ 2″ / 225 lbs
Drafted: 10th overall in the 1st round of the 2014 draft by the Ducks.

Ritchie was traded mid-season from the Peterborough Petes to the powerhouse Sault St. Marie Greyhounds in an attempt to advance to the Memorial Cup. A conference final against Connor McDavid and the Erie Otters was as far as they could take it. Ritchie also helped the Canadian world junior team win a Gold Medal in Toronto. Ritchie is big and strong power forward with soft hands and a hard shot. He is an underrated playmaker as well, but is very well known for his tendency of throwing huge hits.

2. Shea Theodore: Defense – 6′ 2″ / 182 lbs
Drafted: 26th overall in the first round of the 2013 by the Ducks.

An elbow injury ended any hope of Theodore making the Ducks roster last training camp, but he will turn pro this season and has a good chance of earning a roster spot out of camp.

3. Jacob Larsson: Defense – 6′ 2″ / 191 lbs
Drafted: 27th overall in the first round of the 2015 by the Ducks.

Anaheim used their 2015 first round draft pick to strengthen their solid young defense with the big mobile Swedish D-man. At 6’2” 191 lbs he has NHL size already and projects as a top pairing defenseman.

4. Nic Kerdiles: Left Wing – 6′ 2″ / 200 lbs
Drafted: 36th overall in the second round of the 2012 draft by the Ducks.

Kerdiles made the jump from college to pro playing 51 games with Norfolk in the AHL producing a modest 26 points and a minus -10. More seasoning is required.

5. Stefan Noesen: Right Wing – 6′ 2″ / 205 lbs
Drafted: 21st overall in the first round of the 2011 draft by the Senators.
Acquired: The Ducks traded Bobby Ryan to the Senators for Noesen, Jakob Silfverberg and a 2014 1st round pick (# 10 – Nick Ritchie).

Injuries have hurt his development and almost made him an afterthought, but he did manage to make his NHL debut playing in one game with the Ducks last season. Expect him to compete hard for a roster spot this fall, and if he can stay healthy, he should see some NHL time.

6. Max Friberg: Left/Right Wing – 5′ 11″ / 200 lbs
Drafted: 143rd overall in the fifth round of the 2011 draft by the Ducks.

Friberg now has 138 career AHL games under his belt and has worked out most of the bugs in his game. He also made his NHL debut last season playing in one game with the Ducks. Friberg may not be on the roster on opening night, but he will get more looks with the big club this season.

7. Marcus Pettersson
Pos: Defense
Ht / Wt: 6′ 4″ / 166 lbs
Drafted: 38th overall in the second round of the 2014 draft by the Ducks.

Pettersson is another Swedish defender who played in three different leagues last season in Sweden. As he advanced to higher tiers, his production dipped accordingly. He is a work in progress.

8. Michael Sgarbossa: Center – 5′ 11″ / 180
Drafted: Not drafted
Acquired: The Ducks traded Mat Clark to the Avalanche for Sgarbossa.

The OHL scoring leader from 2012 now has 102 career points in 166 games in the AHL. Size has kept him from the NHL but if he can bulk up and keep pace with the NHL speed he can contribute offensively.

9. Kevin Roy: Center / Left Wing – 5′ 9″ / 175 lbs
Drafted: 97th overall in the fourth round of the 2012 draft by the Ducks.

Roy likely has one more year of college before he turns pro. The former USHL player of the year has good offensive upside, but at 5′ 10″, size may be a factor.

10. Chris Wagner: Center / Right Winger – 6′ 0″ / 202 lbs
Drafted: 122nd overall in the fifth round of the 2010 draft by the Ducks.

Wagner is a 194 AHL game veteran and provides the Ducks with a good depth option. The signing of Horcoff hurts his chances of earning a regular spot but he represents the best bottom six call up option at centre.

Recent roster graduates: John Gibson, Hampus Lindholm, Rickard Rakell and Josh Manson.

Players under 25 years old and with less than 25 career NHL games played qualify as a prospect for purpose of this list.

Written by Peter Harling, who can be found on twitter @pharling

Nick Ritchie

Shea Theodore

Jacob Larsson

Nic Kerdiles

Stefan Noesen

Max Friberg

Marcus Pettersson

Michael Sgarbossa

Kevin Roy

Chris Wagner