AnaheimDucks.com
In a day and age when first-round picks are frequently expected to contribute virtually within minutes after hitting the Draft stage, the Ducks have been patient with Rickard Rakell.
After the Ducks selected the 22-year-old Swedish center with the 30th pick of the 2011 NHL Draft, it took some time for Rakell to truly make an impact at the NHL level. He spent his first post-draft professional season back with the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL, tallying 44 points in 40 games (including 21 goals). He wouldn’t get a regular season look with the Ducks until January of 2013, going scoreless in four games before heading back to Plymouth to finish the season.