The Anaheim Ducks entered the 2026 NHL Draft with a clear plan, selecting seven prospects across the second through seventh rounds. The moves were designed to reinforce the roster with a blend of defensive grit, offensive skill, and reliable goaltending.
Defensive Additions
Jayden Kurtz, a second‑round defenseman, brings a commitment to the University of Wisconsin for the 2027‑28 season after standout performances with Rogers High and the Chicago Steel. Eric Frossard, also a defenseman, joined the club in the fifth round and posted a twelve‑point increase in his second year with the Guelph Storm, signaling steady growth.
Forward Prospects
Mathis Preston, a second‑round right wing, earned gold with Team Canada White at the 2024 World Under‑17 Hockey Challenge and has experience in the WHL with Vancouver and Spokane.
Rian Chudzinski, another right wing taken in the third round, follows a family legacy in sports; his father, Rob Chudzinski, is a former NFL head coach now serving as a senior offensive analyst at Boston College. Noah Kosick, a sixth‑round center, has pledged to the University of Michigan for the 2027‑28 campaign after strong showings with Swift Current and Seattle.
Between the Pipes
Goaltender Gleb Peshkov, selected in the sixth round, was named MHL Goaltender of the Month twice during the 2025‑26 season while playing for Taifun Primorsky Krai, highlighting his emergence as a promising net‑minder from the Russian development circuit.
Returning Talent
James Rieber, a seventh‑round defenseman, will continue his development with the Waterloo Black Hawks for a second season in 2026‑27, building on his OHL experience.
The new draft class reflects the Ducks' strategy of mixing immediate impact players with long‑term projects, positioning the franchise for depth across all positions as the next wave of talent prepares to step onto the NHL stage.