Anaheim Ducks Prospect Lockout Report: Matt Kennedy

Name: Matt Kennedy

Age: 23; March 4, 1989

Position: C/LW

Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario

Draft Story: Drafted by Carolina in 2009 5th Round, 131st overall

How did he become a Duck? I don’t really want to talk about it...Kennedy and Stefan Chaput were the return players in a trade that sent Ryan Carter to Carolina.

Where did the Ducks send him for the lockout? Norfolk Admirals, AHL

2011-2012 League & Team: Syracuse Crunch, AHL

Extra hockey: Kennedy spent his junior career with the OHL Guelph Storm and Barrie Colts.

Key Stats Last Season: Upon seeing Kennedy’s stats from last season: 42 games played, 1 goal, 5 assists, 6 points, 60 PMI and a +5, I asked my best friend what stat stood out the most, "definitely the assists". Granted, he did suffer an injury in the middle of the season.

What do the scouts say about him, pros and cons: Overall it seems the scouts are impressed with his size and abilities, but would like to see him with more ice time and against some stiffer competition. But hey, isn’t that what every inexperienced youngster needs?

Is he a work-in-progress, future trade-bait, or a keeper? Probably a work-in-progress for the short term. The window is closing and only he can determine how much longer it will stay open. In the long run, he’ll be trade bait, but even that will only last so long. It’s going to take a grand season for him to move up the depth charts.

Your excitement level for this kid joining the big club and why? I’d be really excited to see him play in an upcoming pre-season game. Oh, that’s right, we won’t be getting any of those! There are plenty of other youngsters I'm more eager to see break the Ducks line-up before Kennedy.