Top prospects for Anaheim Ducks

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 31 teams throughout August. Today, the top five prospects for the Anaheim Ducks, according to NHL.com.

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1. Jacob Larsson, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 27 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: San Diego (AHL): 50 GP, 3-13-16
Larsson should be in the mix for one of the final two spots at defenseman.
The 21-year-old played four games for the Ducks during the 2016-17 season before having offseason surgery to repair his right MCL. After a lengthy recovery, he's back to 100 percent and appeared bigger and stronger (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) during development camp in July.
Projected NHL arrival:This season

2. Sam Steel, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 30 pick in 2016 NHL Draft
Last season: Regina (WHL): 54 GP, 33-50-83
Steel led the Western Hockey League in scoring two seasons ago (131 points; 50 goals, 81 assists) and has 338 points (123 goals, 215 assists) in 258 WHL games. He helped Canada win the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, scoring nine points (four goals, five assists) in seven games, and was named Memorial Cup MVP in May after leading those playoffs with 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in five games.
The 20-year-old is an undersized center (5-11, 185) but has speed the Ducks need down the middle. General manager Bob Murray said he was opposed to bringing up a top forward prospect to play on the fourth line at the end of last season, so Steel's debut may have to wait until one of Anaheim's veteran centers is unable to play.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season

3. Troy Terry, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 148 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season:Anaheim: 2 GP, 0-0-0; University of Denver (NCAA) 39 GP, 14-34-48
Terry was the second-leading scorer for the United States at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics with five assists in five games, and played two games with the Ducks at the end of the season.
Terry, who turns 21 on Sept. 10, has played well at the international level since he scored three shootout goals on three attempts to give the United States a 4-3 win against Russia in the semifinals of the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship. He followed that by helping Denver win the 2017 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey championship.
What Terry lacks in size (6-1, 175), he makes up in speed. He can play wing, where more opportunities with the Ducks should be available.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

4. Marcus Pettersson, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 38 pick in 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Anaheim: 22 GP, 1-3-4; San Diego (AHL) 44 GP, 0-14-14
The Ducks recalled Pettersson (6-4, 180) from San Diego on Feb. 13, and the 22-year-old made his NHL debut two days later in a 3-2 win at the Chicago Blackhawks.
Pettersson's steady play didn't stand out on the ice, but Anaheim played better when he was out there. The Ducks were 17-3-2 when he was in the lineup during the regular season and 0-3-0 when he was scratched.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Andy Welinski, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 83 pick in 2011 NHL Draft
Last season: Anaheim: 7 GP, 0-2-2; San Diego (AHL) 51 GP, 10-24-34
Welinski made his NHL debut against the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 11 and assisted on the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win. He played four games for the Ducks before returning to San Diego.
The 25-year-old was recalled again April 4 after Fowler sustained a season-ending shoulder injury. Anaheim was 3-0-0 with him in the lineup.
Welinski (6-1, 206) played in three of the four Western Conference First Round games against the San Jose Sharks, earning valuable experience heading into training camp.
Projected NHL arrival: This season