Prospect Info: With the 29th pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Ducks select Brayden Tracey

[Kalv]

Very happy to see Tracey rejuvenated. Now he co-leads the team in scoring (with JP), and I just noticed he leads the team in +/- with quite a margin. He's +10 and the next best one is +4 with large majority of the team being on the negative side.

I wonder if he plays any PK down there too?

 

[Kalv]

Obviously knows he has to get bigger, stronger, faster. Also kind of acknowledges it will take a couple/few years

 

[anezthes]

I assume the Ducks/Gulls employ sports psychologists to help with the mental aspect of the game?

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Obviously knows he has to get bigger, stronger, faster. Also kind of acknowledges it will take a couple/few years

Tracey was always a long term project and a late bloomer as he was held back from playing in the WHL until his D+0 season. Another season or two of building up his body will help out tremendously. In the interview, he cited that he came into San Diego at 174 lbs and was getting pushed around too easy.

Tracey in the AHL

2020-21: GP = 12; 0g + 0a = 0 pts; -2​

2021-22: GP = 54; 11g + 20a = 31 pts; -1​

The production in year 2 in the AHL was a huge jump for Tracey. That work he put in over the summer helped, but he's still got a ways to go to be better in the AHL and even more so in the NHL.

As for the mental aspect, I think all of our prospects need to hear Troy Terry's story b/c it wasn't until this year that he developed being even keeled throughout the game and season. I like the passion of our youths that take it to heart, but also that they can evolve from that from more training and confidence within themselves and teammates. Tracey cited Dostal as one of those even keeled role models despite Dostal's youth.

Can't wait to see how much more improved Tracey can be next season.

 

[tomd]

Seems like a nice kid and I wish him the best but I'm not optimistic that he's going to make it. Pulling for him though.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Seems like a nice kid and I wish him the best but I'm not optimistic that he's going to make it. Pulling for him though.

I'm confident that Verbeek would have picked Pinto, Hoglander or Brink over Tracey.
He probably picks Bordeleau over Colangelo too.

Imagine the Ducks if they had both Bordeleau and Hoglander.
Could have used them in a Eichel trade too.

 

[tomd]

I'm confident that Verbeek would have picked Pinto, Hoglander or Brink over Tracey.
He probably picks Bordeleau over Colangelo too.

Imagine the Ducks if they had both Bordeleau and Hoglander.
Could have used them in a Eichel trade too.

Not so sure any of that. Too easy to cherry pick after the fact. Surprised you didn't mention Kaliyev while you were throwing out names.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Not so sure any of that. Too easy to cherry pick after the fact. Surprised you didn't mention Kaliyev while you were throwing out names.

He's too slow for Verbeek. He likes fast forwards.

 

[tomd]

He's too slow for Verbeek. He likes fast forwards.

And the others you mentioned are too small. Pinto is a big question mark as well. The truth seems to be that the 2019 draft got pretty shallow pretty quickly after about pick 25 or so. Unfortunately, a Cody Eakin non-penalty allowed the Blues to reach the SCF and lowered the Ducks pick from around 22 to 29. Such is life.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

I'm confident that Verbeek would have picked Pinto, Hoglander or Brink over Tracey.
He probably picks Bordeleau over Colangelo too.

Imagine the Ducks if they had both Bordeleau and Hoglander.
Could have used them in a Eichel trade too.

I’ve always said that they should’ve drafted Brink or b (especially) Hoglander over the past couple years.

I don’t know who is drafting off of ‘fast-rising’ choices but I wish they would stop. Tracey (and for some reason Coleangelo(?) can’t remember), we’re touted as fast risers in their draft year, and they don’t seem to have an attractive NHL potential

 

[Anaheim4ever]

I’ve always said that they should’ve drafted Brink or b (especially) Hoglander over the past couple years.

I don’t know who is drafting off of ‘fast-rising’ choices but I wish they would stop. Tracey (and for some reason Coleangelo(?) can’t remember), we’re touted as fast risers in their draft year, and they don’t seem to have an attractive NHL potential

*Bob Murray sounding voice* but Colangelo and Tracey are bigger than the other guys, size size size !

 

[Hockey Duckie]

*Bob Murray sounding voice* but Colangelo and Tracey are bigger than the other guys, size size size !

In respect to Tracey, he's just taller, not bigger.

Colangelo: 6'2 and 207 lbs ...... 2.79 lbs/in​

Tracey: 6' and 176 lbs ................. 2.38 lbs/in​

Hoglander: 5'9" and 190 lbs ... 2.75 lbs/in​

Brink: 5'9" and 163 lbs .............. 2.36 lbs/in​

Hoglander's a tank!

I can't say much about our second 1st round pick b/c I wanted D Thrun. Also, I can't complain b/c we got Thrun in the 4th round.

Also, we were one pick away from trading picks 29 and 39 for the 18th pick overall if Peyton Krebs fell to 18th. Don't think we'd be complaining if we got Krebs.

I think it's still too early to dislike Tracey and Colangelo. Colangelo had a very good sophomore season after returning from injury that cost him most of his freshman year and start of sophomore year.

 

[AngelDuck]

I think a lot of you think the expected value of a 29th overall pick is a lot higher than it actually is.

We were spoiled by Corey Perry and Rakell even. Most of the time you get a Sam Steel or an Emerson Etem there

 

[Kalv]

I think a lot of you think the expected value of a 29th overall pick is a lot higher than it actually is.

We were spoiled by Corey Perry and Rakell even. Most of the time you get a Sam Steel or an Emerson Etem there

And Palmieri.

But there were some really nice picks there available so it will always be compared to those. For stints Tracey was really good in the AHL, looking forward to his next season under a new coach.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

But there were some really nice picks there available so it will always be compared to those. For stints Tracey was really good in the AHL, looking forward to his next season under a new coach.

I remember last year the majority already labeled Tracey a bust and had this conversation that we could have picked hoglander, etc... No one cared that Tracey carried his junior team's offense once sent back.

2020-21: GP=12; 0g + 0a = 0pts; -2​

Flash forward to this season.

2021-22: GP = 51; 11g + 20a = 31pts; -1​

That's a significant jump in production, and at one point in the season he led the team in scoring. We're still having the conversation that we could have picked hoglander, etc...

I don't know why we aren't excited at Tracey's huge improvement. After hearing Tracey's exit interview, shouldn't we be excited on how much more he can improve after seeing the big jump in production between 2020-21 and 2021-22 season? We can't pick hoglander or brink now, but then again several teams are wondering why they didn't pick Zellweger, passed on Troy Terry four or five times, or passed on Gibby.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

I remember last year the majority already labeled Tracey a bust and had this conversation that we could have picked hoglander, etc... No one cared that Tracey carried his junior team's offense once sent back.

2020-21: GP=12; 0g + 0a = 0pts; -2​

Flash forward to this season.

2021-22: GP = 51; 11g + 20a = 31pts; -1​

That's a significant jump in production, and at one point in the season he led the team in scoring. We're still having the conversation that we could have picked hoglander, etc...

I don't know why we aren't excited at Tracey's huge improvement. After hearing Tracey's exit interview, shouldn't we be excited on how much more he can improve after seeing the big jump in production between 2020-21 and 2021-22 season? We can't pick hoglander or brink now, but then again several teams are wondering why they didn't pick Zellweger, passed on Troy Terry four or five times, or passed on Gibby.

Get excited, man. You don't need company.

 

[duckpuck]

I think a lot of you think the expected value of a 29th overall pick is a lot higher than it actually is.

We were spoiled by Corey Perry and Rakell even. Most of the time you get a Sam Steel or an Emerson Etem there

I think this is a fair point. But in terms of the ducks late first round draft strategy, Tracey was perceived as a vanilla pick when there were clearly higher risk players on the board who had more upside (like Kaliyev).

 

[Ducks DVM]

I think this is a fair point. But in terms of the ducks late first round draft strategy, Tracey was perceived as a vanilla pick when there were clearly higher risk players on the board who had more upside (like Kaliyev).

I recall Tracey being described as a “project”. Which to me is the 3-5 years before you make assessments department.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I recall Tracey being described as a “project”. Which to me is the 3-5 years before you make assessments department.

Yup. Tracey's first full-time WHL season was his D+0 year. His WHL team held him back and they were rewarded for it as he became the WHL ROY, along with rookie with the most goals, assists, and points. That progression reveals project/late bloomer. Plus, he's so wiry!

 

[Ducks DVM]

Yup. Tracey's first full-time WHL season was his D+0 year. His WHL team held him back and they were rewarded for it as he became the WHL ROY, along with rookie with the most goals, assists, and points. That progression reveals project/late bloomer. Plus, he's so wiry!

People say “look at Rakell”, and ignore/forget that he had 4 NHL points in his first 3 seasons post-draft, was a sheltered 3rd/4th line center who couldn’t win a faceoff in his 4th season (8:57 TOI), got 20+ goals in his 5th season, then 30+ in his 6th.

 

[duckpuck]

I recall Tracey being described as a “project”. Which to me is the 3-5 years before you make assessments department.

Is that really the player you want to pick at the end of the first round? Reasonable minds could disagree, but I want a player who is less of a project, or if I take a project, then with greater upside.

I was on record at the time as wanting Kaliyev. He'd look pretty good on Zegras' wing right now - as he did at the world junior championships. Meanwhile, Tracey is "still developing."

 

[AngelDuck]

We will see about Kaliyev. There is some obvious potential there but there are also some times where I don’t see an overly skilled or creative player

He’ll be a 20 goal scorer though for sure

 

[KelVarnsen]

I’d take a young 20 goal scorer in a heartbeat.

 

[tomd]

Not to derail the conversation but my feeling is that Kaliyev is going to struggle in a top 6 role because of his very obvious lack of speed. As a PP specialist he'll get goals but there is a reason why the Kings haven't put him in their top 6 despite their need for scoring.

Back to Tracey...he definitely has more dynamic tools and skills than Kaliyev (except for his shot obviously) which is why I believe the Ducks took a swing at him. If Tracey wants it bad enough he can be an NHL player. How successful he becomes is definitely very much in question.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Is that really the player you want to pick at the end of the first round? Reasonable minds could disagree, but I want a player who is less of a project, or if I take a project, then with greater upside.

I was on record at the time as wanting Kaliyev. He'd look pretty good on Zegras' wing right now - as he did at the world junior championships. Meanwhile, Tracey is "still developing."

I think at that point in the draft you’re thrilled if you get a 2nd line player, satisfied if you get a 3rd line player, not surprised if you get a 4th line player, and also cognizant that there a not insignificant change the kid never plays 100 NHL games.

Right now there are 4 players from that draft between the 26th and 62nd pick who’ve played 32 or more NHL games, nobody else has more than 17. 2018, there are 7. 2017, 20. We are having this discussion way too early, especially with how messed up the last few seasons have been for developmental leagues.

Edit - I’m not saying he will pan out. I’m saying it’s far too early to be declaring he’s a done deal.