Just recently, I completed my updates to the top 10 prospects in the Anaheim Ducks’ organization, the link to which is attached. What initially struck me is the depth at the top of the Ducks’ pool, coupled with the potential NHL-readiness of many of these players. That now includes forward Nikita Klepov (15th overall in 2026), who recently chose to forego the college route to sign his entry-level deal, thus making him available to challenge for a current job with the Ducks. Although a return to the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit remains a strong possibility, Klepov will be afforded every opportunity to earn a roster spot with Ducks out of training camp.
In reviewing this list, some may feel that Swedish forward Marcus Nordmark, the Ducks’ 28th pick in 2026 and beneficiary of an entry-level contract, is deserving of a top 10 listing. For me, with Klepov firmly in the top 5 it came down to choosing between Nordmark and forward Mathis Preston (50th overall in 2026) as the second-best prospects among this year’s draft picks. Having had the opportunity to watch both players live this past season, I liked Mathis better due to his elite skating ability and overall pace of play. Anaheim received an excellent player and potential top-6 forward with its second round pick this year.
Having said all that, the most noticeable thing for me in this pool was the handful of high-quality d-men ready to make the jump to the NHL this season or very soon thereafter. Two top-5 prospects in this group are Tristan Luneau (53rd overall in 2022) and Tyson Hinds (76th overall in 2021), who have 20 games of NHL experience between them, and are both projected to be in Anaheim right out of the gate. They are followed closely by Stian Solberg (23rd overall in 2024), who is projected to start the season in AHL San Diego but looks to be an in-season call-up. When these players are added to a d-corps led by Jackson LaCombe, they will pose difficult match-up problems as their young but very talented forward core progresses.
https://thehockeylawyer.net/team-stats/anaheim-ducks/
