Yesterday I took at look at Brian Burke's first draft class as Ducks GM in an effort to see if he left the system Bob Murray now controls in complete shambles (paraphrasing Murray).

In the summer of 2006, the Ducks are coming off a stinging Western Conference Finals loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Burke was going to make one of the biggest moves of his career in the off-season by trading for All-Star Chris Pronger. Let's see how he did with the kids first.

2006 Draft

Notable non-Anaheim draftees: Erik Johnson (#1), Jordan Staal (#2), Jonathan Toews (#3), Nicklas Backstrom (#4), Phil Kessel (#5), Derick Brassard (#6), Kyle Okposo (#7), Jonathan Bernier (#11), Chris Stewart (#18), Claude Giroux (#22), Nick Foligno (#28), Milan Lucic (#50), Jamie McBain (#63), Brad Marchand (#71), James Reimer (#99)

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In Robby's excellent coverage of the State of the Franchise address, there was one subject that Ducks GM Bob Murray covered that really stood out to me:

He mentioned that the team is currently suffering due to bad drafts in '05, '06, and '07, but said that they've overhauled their drafting since then and have had three strong drafts in a row.

Wow. To me, that's a direct shot at Brian Burke and his legacy in Anaheim. Once Burkie left for Toronto and Murray assumed his position, the comparisons began. How can you not compare the guy that won your franchise their first Stanley Cup to the guy that took his place? The two will continue to be scrutinized until Murray delivers on a second Cup or leaves the organization (by choice or not).

I am an ardent Brian Burke supporter, and I refuse believe that Bob Murray is a better drafter. I am also completely ignoring the group of scouts each GM had. Each GM has the final say, so ultimately the decision is theirs. Throughout the week, I'll be looking at each year of Burke's drafts that Murray called into question and where they are at with the Ducks. To be fair, I'll also run a post of Bob Murray's draft picks from 2008 to 2011. Then you guys can make the final call on who was the better drafting GM.

Let's get started with Burkie's first draft in 2005. The NHL is returning after a year long lockout. The newly re-branded Anaheim Ducks were just one ping-pong ball away from drafting the sport's savior at first overall...

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KRISTEN:

Shawn Hunwick. Adam Janecyk.

These are the names of the two goaltenders for the University of Michigan Men's hockey team. Hunwick is a fifth year-senior, and stands 5'7.'' He is also the younger brother of former Wolverine and current Avs defenseman Matt Hunwick. The younger Hunwick lurked in the shadows of the Michigan program for several years until then-starter Bryan Hogan was injured in the spring of 2010. But despite being a last-ditch option for a desperate team, Hunwick carried the Wolverines through the 2010 CCHA playoffs and into a NCAA tournament berth.

However, his primary claim to fame comes from his play in the 2011 NCAA Frozen Four, when he blanked North Dakota's potent offense in the semifinals. (I watched the game, flabbergasted, and expected North Dakota to score at any moment. It never happened). Unfortunately, Hunwick's season would end two days later, after an OT Minnesota-Duluth goal hit the back of his net in the championship game. But the impression had been made. Hunwick, who was once a peripheral figure in the Michigan hockey program, was now a bona fide starter. Janecyk, Hunwick's current backup, is a largely unknown quantity. He's only played 1:32 minutes of college hockey, and that 1:32 was in relief action in a March 12 game against Bowling Green in the CCHA Quarterfinals (Michigan won, and Janecyk made one save). Coach Red Berenson and his players were expecting a third goalie to arrive on campus this fall, Ducks prospect John Gibson, but Gibson defected to the OHL in this past July.

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DANIEL:

I know the Ducks have been mired in a slow offseason. Part of that can be attributed to an overpriced free agent market and part of it can be attributed to the fact that some big RFAs need to sign in order for the trade market to heat up. Either way, the cash strapped Ducks haven't been making a lot of news this summer. Enter John Gibson. The Ducks first selection in the second round of the 2011 Entry Draft decided to let Duck fans get in on one of the more compelling debates that exists in the hockey universe, Major Junior versus NCAA. The OC Register is reporting that Gibson has elected to play in the OHL next year, rather than the University of Michigan. The Kitchener Rangers website confirms that Gibson has signed with the team and will be at camp, which starts August 31. Since that's all the news, you'll find my thoughts after the jump.

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DANIEL:

I went down to Anaheim Ice to check out some of the young prospects in hopes of thinking about new trade possibilities, seeing as how GMs everywhere are committed to making sure no one hits the open market tomorrow. It was nothing more than two 25 minute scrimmages, where the prospects played 4-on-4. As such, some of my analysis will be skewed by seeing players in conditions that are better for forwards and worse for D. Overall, I was very pleased with what I saw. Emerson Etem and Devante Smith-Pelly aren't only improving as players, they are starting to develop a strong chemistry and keep track of each other on the ice. Schultz is coming a long well, and I'm looking forward to seeing him in training camp playing against NHL level forwards. The surprise of the day was free agent Kellan Lain out of Lake Superior State, more on him after the jump.

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DANIEL:

The Ducks rounded out their draft class by selecting Max Friberg and Josh Manson. The Ducks selected 3 centers, two defensemen, a goalie and a left wing. It's not hard to see where Murray was going with the picks. You'll find a little more information about the final two picks after the jump. I've been critical of Murray, but his scouting staff might have done really good work again this year, despite losing out on a couple of great prospects at the 30 pick.

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Author's note: Anaheim GM Bob Murray was incorrectly referenced as Bryan Murray in the section discussing Joseph Cramarossa.

DANIEL:

The Ducks continue to take centers. William Karlsson of the Swedish U18 team, Joseph Cramarossa of Mississauga, and Andy Welnski. Each Player will have a little info after the jump.

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DANIEL:

The Ducks were expected to take a goalie at some point to address the franchise's need. They did exactly that with the 39th pick they acquired from Toronto. Murray seems to believe John Gibson wouldn't make it to their next selection at 53. Gibson is the top ranked North American goalie according to Central Scouting. He was the 37th overall prospect in the TSN rankings. You can also read a brief synthesis of his abilities that I put together from a few reports that I read, here. Gibson is a big guy at 6'3" and takes up a lot of the net. He is strong positionally and has a good head on his shoulders, very focused. The Ducks got the goalie they needed in the organization. Gibson is going to the University of Michigan in the fall. It's a safe bet he'll be there for a few years before he ever wears a Ducks sweater.