Just finishing watching the Gulls game (FloSports is pretty quality compared to AHL.TV in all honesty) and have watched the first 3 Gulls games so just going to post some thoughts on some Ducks related players.
Anaheim has a big 3rd goaltender problem, Dansk is horrid. I'd say 2 if not 3 of the goals he gave up against Coachella were down to poor goaltending. He also gives his defense no confidence with his inability to fight through any sort of traffic infront of the net, one of the goals he gave up against Coachella he was on his stomach with his head in the crease....which sums it up.
Nesterenko stands out most shifts so far this season, has a lot of skill for AHL level and his skating seems to have taken a step forward, his speed always seemed good but he looks a lot more shifty out there, and it shows. Able to generate some good chances, hell he probably should have had at least another 2 assists against Coachella, but Mysak is an offensve black hole. I'd expect him and Colangelo to be the first players called up if we lose players in the top 9.
Caufield strikes me as a guy who could become a 4th line energy guy at the NHL level, looks good up until the puck is on his stick. What I like is that he knows his role perfectly on any line he plays on, uses his frame to win puck battles and make hits, goes to the top of the crease and looks solid defensively. Granted, like I said the puck can die on his stick, he sticks out more often then not in a good way in the games so far and plays his game in such a way that maximizes his strengths.
I've liked Warren so far and I think he's easily the best of the young defencemen in San Diego so far between himself, Hinds, Dionicio and Helleson. He skates well for his frame IMO, not only in terms of speed but he can cut and change direction effectively. Defensively I like how he engages infront of the net and he's not afraid to throw hits either. Something that has surprised me is that he is actually decently composed with the puck on his stick, he's not making amazing breakout passes, but he's been decent at buying himself an extra half second by not panicking and playing a simple pass to get it out of danger. That kind of reminds me of Dumolin in that regard. Given it seemed people in Juniors were down on him, I've been impressed by him so far.
Dionicio hasn't been afraid to jump into the rush at every opportunity, he really pops out to me on the PP especially. Great passing ability and not afraid to shoot. Though I'd say he needs to cut out some of the hollywood passes and trying to force things that aren't there. Defensively has looked a work in progress (as expected), seems quite lazy with his stickwork in the sense he'll have it somewhat in the lane, but it's not really active or doing....anything. On the positive, he's not afraid to engage physically and use the body though which is good to see as the lazy stickwork can be corrected. Definitely multiple years away though I'd say.
Colangelo has stood out too. Thought he was solid with some flashes in the Toronto series, but he looked good against Coachella. He's really good at using his frame to get space and work pucks free, and his ability to work space for himself is good. I'd probably have him a touch ahead of Nesternko on the depth chart right now.
They are the main ones to have stood out to me so far (granted a small sample size).
