2. Sam Steel
Acquired: 2016 first-round pick (30th overall)
Position: Center
Stats: 22 games, 6 goals, 5 assists, 11 points (NHL); 53 games, 20 goals, 21 assists, 41 points, 16 postseason games, 6 goals, 7 assists, 13 points (AHL)
Sam Steel is a heck of a prospect. In a third-line role with the Ducks, he didn’t have much to work with, but he still managed to average 0.50 points per game, which is impressive. In the AHL, Steel was in more of a shutdown role than Terry was, but still posted impressive stats. That’s why I have him over Terry.
Also, Steel is a center. That’s incredibly valuable for the Ducks right now. Ryan Kesler’s injury opens up a permanent spot in the lineup for Steel. He’ll likely start in his third-line role, but he could get a promotion to the second-line quickly. Eventually, Steel could be a great second-line center or maybe even a top-line center.
1. Trevor Zegras
Acquired: 2018 first-round pick (9th overall)
Position: Center/Wing
Stats: 60 games, 26 goals, 61 assists, 87 points (USHL)
Trevor Zegras could be the Anaheim Ducks future top-line center. He needs to add some strength, but I love the way he plays. Zegras is a borderline elite playmaker with his top-notch passing and his incredible vision. He thinks the same way Sidney Crosby does – he’s two steps ahead of everybody else.
Zegras has a good shot, but he needs to go to the net more. Adding that strength I mentioned earlier could definitely help with that. He’s got a nice shot and soft hands, so I think there’s a goal scorer hidden inside of him. Hopefully, the Ducks will get it out of him. Even if they don’t, his offensive instincts are good enough for me to comfortably say he has first-line potential.