Ducks add skill and depth with nine picks in NHL Draft
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 27, 2026, 10:47 PM
Last updated Jun 27, 2026
The Anaheim Ducks made significant moves during Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, increasing their total selections from six to nine. They traded Mason McTavish to acquire additional picks and focused on skilled players, selecting OHL rookie of the year Nikita Klepov at No. 15 and Sweden's Marcus Nordmark at No. 28. In the second round, they picked defenseman Jayden Kurtz at No. 45 and forward Mathis Preston at No. 50. Rian Chudzinski was selected at No. 82, addressing a need for gritty scoring. The Ducks' strategy highlighted their aim to build a competitive roster with noteworthy talent.
- •Ducks made nine selections overall in the 2026 NHL Draft.
- •Nikita Klepov and Marcus Nordmark were first-round picks.
- •Jayden Kurtz, Mathis Preston, and Rian Chudzinski were selected in later rounds.
- •Draft strategy focused on acquiring skilled players with high upside.
- 10:47 PMYahoo Sports — Ducks swing for extra picks, skill and upside in Day 2 of NHL Draft
"Anaheim entered the draft with six selections and ended up making nine picks overall with some sparks of skill sliding to their advantage in the 2026 NHL Draft
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NHL•Sep 13, 2026, 5:03 PMLast-minute move Canadiens must make ahead of 2026-27 season
NHL•Sep 13, 2026, 5:34 AMCanadiens could land Chris Kreider as Mike Rupp highlights Montreal fit
NHL•Sep 13, 2026, 1:00 AMNHL Free Agency: Evaluating Kreider’s Potential Impact With Canadiens
NHL•Sep 12, 2026, 10:31 PMChris Kreider to Bruins May Be Imminent, Insider Believes
NHL•Sep 12, 2026, 12:06 AMTST Images: Los Angeles Kings Rookie Faceoff at Toyota Sports Performance Center
NHL•Sep 11, 2026, 3:12 PMShould Bruins pursue suddenly available two-time All-Star?