LAS VEGAS — Never one to be swayed by conventional thinking, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek stayed true to his vision Friday night by drafting forward Beckett Sennecke with the third overall pick in the NHL Draft.
Like many hockey observers watching, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Sennecke was surprised to be drafted so early. All parties expected him to be drafted a minimum of five picks later.
But the Sennecke selection was far from a reach by Anaheim. Scouting reports indicate Sennecke has grown four inches in the past two years and has struggled slightly to adjust.
But his momentary wobbles can't hide the deeply skilled hockey player underneath. "Some of the best hands in the class, paired with unmatched confidence and great deceptiveness," one scouting report said.
“Beckett is an impact player that plays with high-end skill and intelligence and has the potential to be a dynamic player,” Verbeek said. “He plays with purpose, drives to the net, has incredible hands and vision.
"In our many viewings, his drive to be successful was evident. He will fit in well with our current group of elite young players already in the NHL and support our goal to build a perennial contender.”
The Ducks also traded up with a pair of later-round picks for selection No. 23, which they used to draft Norwegian defenseman Stian Solberg. Anyone concerned about Anaheim having a glut of offensive defensemen will be soothed by the 6-2 Solberg, who is a a wrecking ball of a man who at first blush reminds one of his new teammate, Radko Gudas.
'Tough to play against'
Evident in the Ducks' rebuild has been a desire to make Anaheim more difficult to play against and that usually means larger human beings. Here are the team's last few first-round picks:
2024: Beckett Sennecke, 6-2; Stian Solberg, 6-2
2023: Leo Carlsson, 6-3
2022: Pavel Mintyukov, 6-1
2021: Mason McTavish, 6-0
In the greater analysis, Verbeek and the Ducks maintained their typical, reliable standard of action: smart, bold, on-brand, transactions that incrementally improve the team. One can plainly see the coordination of efforts — improving player personnel, team branding refresh, construction of OCVibe popping up around Honda Center — pointing to a day when the Ducks arrive again as a competitive hockey club.
The NHL Draft continues Saturday at The Sphere in Las Vegas, where rounds 2-7 will begin at 8:30 a.m.
