Ducks select Nordmark, focus on youth

The Anaheim Ducks selected Marcus Nordmark with the 28th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, showcasing their strategy to acquire young talent for a competitive future. The Ducks traded picks 29 and 117 to the Vegas Golden Knights to move up one spot for Nordmark, who has been a standout player in the Swedish U20 league.

During the 2025-26 season, he scored 38 points in 25 games, including 14 goals, and had an impressive performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he led the tournament in scoring. Despite his offensive upside, concerns about Nordmark's defensive play and consistency have been raised.

Analysts note that while he has the skill to dictate play offensively, he needs to improve his work rate off the puck. Nordmark's selection aligns with the Ducks' focus on building a young, skilled roster, as they also acquired Nikita Klepov earlier in the draft.

His potential to be a middle-six player or even a second-line difference-maker depends on his development in the upcoming seasons, as he remains under contract with Djurgardens for 2026-27.