Prospect Info: 2024 Ducks Prospect Rankings #8

[MMC]

Each poll will run for 48 hours except in the case of a clear landslide. I will go to the top 25 and include a final poll where you can pick 5 honorable mentions. In the eighth poll I am voting for Lucas Pettersson.

As always the list will define prospects as hockeysfuture does: NHL Prospect Criteria - Hockey's Future.

2024 Ducks Prospect Rankings:

1. LW - Cutter Gauthier (2024 acquired)
2. RW - Beckett Sennecke (2024 draftee)
3. D - Olen Zellweger (no change)
4. D - Tristan Luneau (+1)
5. D - Stian Solberg (2024 draftee)
6. G - Damian Clara (+16)
7. RW - Sam Colangelo (+18)

Our graduates and departures are:

Leo Carlsson
Pavel Mintyukov
Lukas Dostal
Jackson LaCombe
Connor Hvidston
Jacob Perreault
Pavol Regenda
Benoit-Olivier Groulx
Brayden Tracey
Blake McLaughlin
Gage Alexander
Ben King
Jack Perbix
Artyom Galimov
Albin Sundsvik​

Click to read more...

 

[Ducks]

This was a tough choice, but I went with Suchanek because I think his floor is NHL backup goalie and he's going to play plenty of games regardless if he hits his ceiling as a starter. Pettersson and Gaucher I also think will play NHL games, so they could have slotted in here as well, but I think I like Suchanek's upside the most.

 

[Vaakou]

I will never understand why some of you vote for players with ceiling of a bottom six/bottom 2/ backup goalie over talent. Easy to aquire/replace, worth nothing in value. Saw a list ranking Gaucher as our 4th best prospect with the text: "potential bottom six center". Do we need more of those?

 

[tomd]

Pettersson (again)

 

[Sean Garrity]

I think Pettersson is the most likely to hit top 6/top4 potential.

 

[Deuce22]

I will never understand why some of you vote for players with ceiling of a bottom six/bottom 2/ backup goalie over talent. Easy to aquire/replace, worth nothing in value. Saw a list ranking Gaucher as our 4th best prospect with the text: "potential bottom six center". Do we need more of those?

Gaucher is exactly what this team needs. Big, physical, defensive center that kills penalties. A leader who was respected by coaches and teammates. The entire roster can't been goal scoring snipers and flashy skill guys.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I will never understand why some of you vote for players with ceiling of a bottom six/bottom 2/ backup goalie over talent. Easy to aquire/replace, worth nothing in value. Saw a list ranking Gaucher as our 4th best prospect with the text: "potential bottom six center". Do we need more of those?

Some people do believe that Gaucher might be more than a bottom-6 forward, especially when the organization drafted Gaucher in the first round. It's possible that Gaucher could become a middle-6 winger as a better complement. Gaucher is the last first rounder that hasn't been ranked, graduated, or traded. We had two late first rounders in Tracey and Perreault, the latter with top-6 talent, that more or less flamed out as prospects. A lot of people wrote off Colangelo in last year's poll as he was ranked #25.

I don't mind people voting how they vote and it's better if the vote was explained. We're just all projecting and I'd hate to chill Duck fans from participating.

 

[JAHV]

Gaucher is exactly what this team needs. Big, physical, defensive center that kills penalties. A leader who was respected by coaches and teammates. The entire roster can't been goal scoring snipers and flashy skill guys.

Yep, this is why Gaucher was my pick. He might take longer, but he could be a huge asset for this team in a few years as a shutdown center if he develops the way he should.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Some people do believe that Gaucher might be more than a bottom-6 forward, especially when the organization drafted Gaucher in the first round. It's possible that Gaucher could become a middle-6 winger as a better complement. Gaucher is the last first rounder that hasn't been ranked, graduated, or traded. We had two late first rounders in Tracey and Perreault, the latter with top-6 talent, that more or less flamed out as prospects. A lot of people wrote off Colangelo in last year's poll as he was ranked #25.

I don't mind people voting how they vote and it's better if the vote was explained. We're just all projecting and I'd hate to chill Duck fans from participating.

Besides which, other than Lundy and maybe Leason, what bottom 6 players are we actually developing here?

 

[ScarTroy]

Besides which, other than Lundy and maybe Leason, what bottom 6 players are we actually developing here?

I feel like Myatovic, Pitre and Terrance kind of fall on that dividing line. Things have to go 100% right for them to become top 6 guys, but they should have a decent shot at becoming bottom 6 guys. Unless I’m just severely undervaluing them.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Besides which, other than Lundy and maybe Leason, what bottom 6 players are we actually developing here?

Ohhh Pitre! He looked great at last year's rookie tourney with speed, some physicality, PK'ing, and a glue guy that can move up and down the line up. He had an injury played D+1 season this year. He could use another season in the OHL and continue to build up his body (Firebirds page lists him at 6'1 and 185 lbs), but I can see Verbeek rushing prospects again.

The bottom-6's at the AHL level are C Gaucher, LW Nesterenko, RW Caulfield, RW Wiebe, and, maybe, C Lopina. Verbeek signed Lopina early for an NCAA'er, but it's slow rolling for Lopina. I do like Nesterenko and Caulfield. Gaucher needs more seasoning as Verbeek stated he'll need a couple more seasons at the Migration event.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I feel like Myatovic, Pitre and Terrance kind of fall on that dividing line. Things have to go 100% right for them to become top 6 guys, but they should have a decent shot at becoming bottom 6 guys. Unless I’m just severely undervaluing them.

I feel if Myatovic isn't in the top-6, then the scouting group failed b/c the front office project him as an elite, top-6 complementary winger. Although, he is a defensive forward who found offense in his D+0 season.

Terrance's game is geared more to the top-6, but he may have to change how he plays if he can't be an offensive weapon. Terrance has an explosive first step and speed to be in the top-6, but lacking defensively and physicality to be in the bottom-6 right now.

 

[Rasp]

Petterson here for me. Feels like he is going to be a bit underrated until he starts playing some games for us but I think he is up for a pretty decent career

 

[ScarTroy]

I feel if Myatovic isn't in the top-6, then the scouting group failed b/c the front office project him as an elite, top-6 complementary winger. Although, he is a defensive forward who found offense in his D+0 season.

Terrance's game is geared more to the top-6, but he may have to change how he plays if he can't be an offensive weapon. Terrance has an explosive first step and speed to be in the top-6, but lacking defensively and physicality to be in the bottom-6 right now.

Top-6 complimentary winger just sounds like Maroon or Beleskey in their latter years here to me. In the right circumstances they can be top-6 guys, but other than that they float around the bottom 6 and can move up in a pinch.

Like you said, Terrance definitely needs to ramp up that production, or he’s going to have to change his game to fit into the bottom of the lineup if he wants to be in the NHL, if not he’ll find himself riding busses in the A.

Pitre I have hope for, I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him in the rookie camps. The other 2 I just think the odds are stacked too far against them. Hopefully I’m wrong.

 

[FlyingV09]

Third poll I’ve voted for Pettersson now. I watched a highlight video of his and was sold. Madden saying they see him as a top 6 winger in the NHL gives me a lot of confidence in his future.

 

[HanSolo]

Pettersson
Suchanek
Dionico

My next 3

 

[forever1922]

I will never understand why some of you vote for players with ceiling of a bottom six/bottom 2/ backup goalie over talent. Easy to aquire/replace, worth nothing in value. Saw a list ranking Gaucher as our 4th best prospect with the text: "potential bottom six center". Do we need more of those?

Agreed. I would, however, point out that guys like that who are actually the best in the league at their role are invaluable and usually a part of a championship team.

But still, as prospects they would have to look very likely to reach that potential because if they fall even a little bit short of it, they might not play in the NHL at all.

Pettersson, Massé, Sidorov have top6 potential however unlikely each may be to reach it. Pettersson has the most balanced skill set, just limited in size. Massé is quite close and has size but the skating is the issue, less so with Sidorov. Then again Sidorov is more of an artist than a hockey player, but he is pretty damn good at his art which is scoring goals.

 

[Vaakou]

Gaucher is exactly what this team needs. Big, physical, defensive center that kills penalties. A leader who was respected by coaches and teammates. The entire roster can't been goal scoring snipers and flashy skill guys.

No but that doesn't make him a good prospect. It is way easier to find a guy lika that in the market.

Some people do believe that Gaucher might be more than a bottom-6 forward, especially when the organization drafted Gaucher in the first round. It's possible that Gaucher could become a middle-6 winger as a better complement. Gaucher is the last first rounder that hasn't been ranked, graduated, or traded. We had two late first rounders in Tracey and Perreault, the latter with top-6 talent, that more or less flamed out as prospects. A lot of people wrote off Colangelo in last year's poll as he was ranked #25.

I don't mind people voting how they vote and it's better if the vote was explained. We're just all projecting and I'd hate to chill Duck fans from participating.

I don't think you can't participate, just saying this is a top prospect list, NHL readyness doesn't matter if the final product sucks. If you want a good bottom six center then spend a 1st round pick on the finished product instead, often a overpayment from a value perspective.

Yep, this is why Gaucher was my pick. He might take longer, but he could be a huge asset for this team in a few years as a shutdown center if he develops the way he should.

Again, spend the 1st round pick when the need arrive.

Agreed. I would, however, point out that guys like that who are actually the best in the league at their role are invaluable and usually a part of a championship team.

But still, as prospects they would have to look very likely to reach that potential because if they fall even a little bit short of it, they might not play in the NHL at all.

Pettersson, Massé, Sidorov have top6 potential however unlikely each may be to reach it. Pettersson has the most balanced skill set, just limited in size. Massé is quite close and has size but the skating is the issue, less so with Sidorov. Then again Sidorov is more of an artist than a hockey player, but he is pretty damn good at his art which is scoring goals.

Well said.

 

[Vaakou]

Gaucher doesn't suck but his upside is limited, even if he looks close to reaching it. Would pick 3 players still on the list over him.

 

[Arthuros]

I really don't know how we'll fit Dio in our lineup, but I gotta go with Dio here. HM to Suchanek.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I don't think you can't participate, just saying this is a top prospect list, NHL readyness doesn't matter if the final product sucks. If you want a good bottom six center then spend a 1st round pick on the finished product instead, often a overpayment from a value perspective.

You're chilling someone from participating due to your own standard. This is a prospects list where each poster can use whatever standard or guidelines they want to use. You yourself as adding extra context to your standard of potential trades. What if a poster chose the chances of becoming an NHL player is their standard and it is much higher with Gaucher than others? I did use examples of forwards Tracey and Perreault not panning out despite having top-6 talent. Steel and Jones are other forwards with top-6 talents and they both didn't pan out to be top-6 talents at the NHL level.

Our front office chose Gaucher over other talents in the draft at that pick. Maybe posters believe in the Ducks' scouting group in drafting Gaucher over potential top-6 forwards like Snuggerud or Kulich in the same draft. Maybe our front office is better at long term projections now after seeing Tracey, Perrault, Steel, and Jones fail.

Gaucher doesn't suck but his upside is limited, even if he looks close to reaching it. Would pick 3 players still on the list over him.

IMO, Gaucher is similar to Groulx except that Gaucher is a lil bigger and a little faster going in a straight line, but turns like an enormous tourist cruise liner. Maybe those extra things in Gaucher will help him in the NHL than Groulx. Right now, he's two years away from seeing the NHL, according to Verbeek.

 

[Gliff]

Gaucher and Warren are the 2 guys that have "limited upside", but if they hit that upside could be way more important then most guys on this list due to their size and style of play.

If I could pick any prospects on the team outside of the top 5 to pan out it would likely be them. Adding a Danault and Carlo to the roster would round it out.

 

[McDonald19]

Gaucher and Warren are the 2 guys that have "limited upside", but if they hit that upside could be way more important then most guys on this list due to their size and style of play.

If I could pick any prospects on the team outside of the top 5 to pan out it would likely be them. Adding a Danault and Carlo to the roster would round it out.

Not sure if I’d call Warren a limited upside guy. He is more boom or bust to me. Top 4 physical RHD that every team is looking for.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Not sure if I’d call Warren a limited upside guy. He is more boom or bust to me. Top 4 physical RHD that every team is looking for.

What's interesting about shutdown D-men is that if they are very good at only one side of the ice, then they become great complements in a top-4 role like a Manson. I'm hoping Warren follows Chicago's Alex Vlasic and his path to the NHL b/c Vlasic played in a top pairing role this year for Chicago. Vlasic took four years to get into the NHL from his draft year. Warren is heading into his D+3 for this coming season. If Warren can stay healthy, then we could see his development and physicality take off. I am no expecting much offense, but Warren does possess a booming shot from the point.

 

[Deuce22]

Gaucher doesn't suck but his upside is limited, even if he looks close to reaching it. Would pick 3 players still on the list over him.

If "upside" meaning scoring a lot of points, you are correct. If it means doing other things that help teams win hockey games, you aren't.