Even though Anaheim missed out on a generational prospect in Connor Bedard, this Ducks’ draft is promising.
At -500 odds, Adam Fantilli from the University of Michigan is essentially a lock for the No. 2 overall pick.
But it’s imperative to assess the Ducks’ draft board as a whole, and if there are any sleeper picks with lots of value.
Odds are provided courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Ducks Draft Odds
Fantilli is widely regarded as the clear favorite for Anaheim, but with -500 odds, it’s not out of the realm if they go a different way.
Leo Carlsson from the Swedish Hockey League is next at +570, followed by Matvei Michkov of the Kontinental Hockey League at +1120 and Will Smith of the U.S. National U18 Team at +2500.
These guys are all extremely talented, giving the Ducks a tough decision to make.
Prospects
Fantilli won the Hobey Baker Award this past college season as a freshman, and if it weren’t for Bedard, he’d be the talk of the draft.
Carlsson scored 25 points in 44 games this year in the SHL, and has the raw talent to become a star in the NHL.
Michkov is by far the most intriguing and mysterious prospect in the draft.
He could be the second-best player in this draft, and he has a ton of hype surrounding him.
However, he is under contract with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL until the 2025-26 season, which prevents him from coming over until 2027.
Even with that factor, he’s still projected to go top-5, if not top-3.
Lastly, there’s Will Smith. Smith is an absolute stud, scoring 127 points with the U.S. National U18 Team and flashing so much potential.
No words @_willsmith2. None.#U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/GgXP1zTaIi
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 23, 2023
While the odds aren’t in the other guys’ favor, they’re all viable prospects who look like the real deal.
Ducks’ Draft Prediction
Even though Carlsson, Michkov and Smith look like studs, Fantilli is the pick here at -500.
He was the best player at the collegiate level as a freshman, and has the talent and potential that puts him ahead of the others.
Missing out on Bedard is certainly painful for Ducks fans (especially after 2005), but there is another superstar waiting at No. 2, and his name is Adam Fantilli.
The draft is on June 28th at 4 PM Pacific Time (7 PM E.T.).
