The Anaheim Ducks knew they had a steal in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft when they selected Maxime Comtois. Now they’re preparing to show the rest of the league exactly what they passed up on. Ducks beat writer Eric Stephens reports this evening that Anaheim has inked Comtois to a three-year entry-level contract.
If Comtois challenged for and won an NHL job next season, it would come as no surprise. When scouts originally started breaking down the 2017 draft class, the earliest projections all had Comtois as a surefire first-round pick. A big, physical forward and powerful skater who plays a complete 200-foot game, the Quebec native looked to be a bona fide future NHLer. In his first junior season in the QMJHL in 2015-16, Comtois was nearly a point-per-game player as a 16-year-old for the Victoriaville Tigres. Scouting reports raved about his quickness, especially at 6’2″, 200+ lbs., passing, poise, and natural instincts. However, some of that excitement wore off in 2016-17, his draft year, as his production dropped off from 60 points in 62 games the season prior to 51 points in 64 games and questions were raised about the ceiling of his offensive game. Yet, the the Ducks needed a high-upside pick at #50 after trading away their first-rounder for Patrick Eaves at the deadline. Despite some doubts over Comtois’ future ability at the top level, Anaheim made their selection and, in 2017-18, Comtois has proven them right. The left wing power forward has looked more like he did two years ago, having already racked up 73 points in 49 games and showing a previously unseen goal-scoring touch with 39 tallies. Perhaps most impressively, Comtois has continued his solid two-way game as well and sports a whopping +35 rating on the year.
Alongside U.S. Olympian Troy Terry of the NCAA, 2016 first-rounders Sam Steel of the WHL and Max Jones of the OHL, and his good friend and fellow 2017 second-rounder Antoine Morand, also in the QMJHL, Comtois is part of a deep, talented, and eclectic group of promising forward prospects in Anaheim. While not all are expected to push for a big league job next season, Comtois surely won’t be alone in fighting for one of the few open spots on the roster. Luckily for the Ducks, too many strong prospects at the same position is a problem any team would like to have.