The Anaheim Ducks made their first pick in the 2012 NHL Draft on Friday night and their selection was a bit puzzling to some. The Ducks selected Hampus Lindholm as the No. 6 overall pick. Lindholm was not considered a Top 10 pick in most analysis leading up to the draft. Some Ducks fans feel the pick may have been a mistake.
Daniel at Anaheim Calling weighs in on the first Ducks draft pick of 2012:
My overall impression is this: I'm not unhappy with the player, I'm unhappy with the pick. Here's an article on Lindholm praising him as a sleeper in thie year's draft. He was definitely on other people's radar. However, I think the Ducks passed on a few players who were seen as more consensus picks in their range and they missed a chance to trade down 2-3 slots and still get their player. I'm not sure what Murray was being offered for this pick, but if he had a chance to move down he probably should have taken it. Lindholm will play here, and he'll probably enjoy some top 4 minutes while he does it. I just hope the Ducks don't regret passing on that bevy of elite prospects.
Lindholm will be heading back to Sweden for another year before trying to break into the NHL with the Ducks, so this isn't any sort of quick-fix solution in the minds of the Ducks front office.
For continued coverage of the 2012 NHL Draft, stay tuned to this StoryStream. For full time news and analysis about the Anaheim Ducks, check out Anaheim Calling.
