The Anaheim Ducks have signed prospects Jack Badini and Hunter Drew to a pair of entry-level deals, according to Cap Friendly. This report comes just a day after the Ducks inked their most promising prospect, Trevor Zegras, to a three-year deal worth $2.78 million.
Ducks Sign Jack Badini and Hunter Drew
Jack Badini, a left-winger, selected 91st overall by Anaheim in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft, has just completed his third year, playing for Harvard University. He was signed to a two-year deal starting in 2020-2021 with a cap hit of $805k. He may also receive a potential performance bonus of up to $20k. During his NCAA career, Badini has amassed 24 goals and 51 points in 97 games.
Hunter Drew, a right-handed defenseman, was drafted in the sixth round (178th overall) by Anaheim in the 2018 draft. Drew signed a three-year entry-level deal with a cap hit of just over $733k per year. He has spent time this season in both the American Hockey League with the San Diego Gulls and the East Coast Hockey League with the Tulsa Oilers.
LWOH’s, Prospects Expert, Ben Kerr, had both players further down the depth chart of Anaheim’s farm system when evaluating them last offseason. After the 2018 NHL Draft, he described Drew, as “a defender with good size and passing ability”. Meanwhile, he ranked Badini outside of the Ducks top 10 forward prospects, which included Trevor Zegras as the top prospect.
Roster Depth Boost
The Ducks have been one of the most active teams since the NHL was postponed. They have taken the opportunity during the season’s pause to consolidate their roster depth.
It feels like Badini has been in Bob Murray‘s crosshairs for a while. Although he has regressed in his junior year at Harvard, managing only six goals, and his lowest point total to date in the NCAA. Perhaps it is his promise the Ducks are putting their faith in. He was second in the nation in the faceoff circle, the year before, winning a whopping 66% of draws.
On the other hand, Drew has struggled to produce this year in the AHL. He totalled 7 points in 29 games for the Gulls. Though his production picked up when he moved down to play with the Oilers in the ECHL. He had four points in five games in Tulsa.
Regardless, the signings continue to reinforce the rebuilding project that is taking shape in Orange County. The Ducks are going about their business the right way. It is certainly giving fans something to be hopeful about.
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