RD Tristan Luneau - Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL (2022, 53rd, ANA)

Beckett

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Nov 18, 2005
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Maybe a drawn out 9 game stint would be beneficial. Not sure he'll have much of a chance to bulk up playing jrs or really be challenged physically. Maybe let him in a game or 2 a week while practicing and training with NHL coaches and facilities would be good for him, before eventually finishing off the Q season and leading Canada D at the WJC.
 

Petes2424

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Aug 4, 2005
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Just watched him again last night.

With the way Luneau has progressed, their group could end up really good.. They love transporting the puck. That’s for sure. Gets them in trouble sometimes but they’ll learn as they mature, they just can’t take off whenever.

You also still have to be careful too, because it is the preseason and there’s a lot more space out there in these games, than there is in regular season games, but Luneau sure looks like he’s gonna be a really good player. Most of his mistakes are from being over aggressive and he’ll learn on those as he matures. He still isn’t the greatest in the corners either, but once again, he’s very young and he’s strong. He’ll get that fixed.

Right now, Mintyukov processes things faster, and that’s gonna help him when things tighten up during regular season games. He has some issues in his own zone too. As an example, you seen him get split 3-4 times last night because he floated outside. They’ll clean that up. It’s not because of anything physical. Just being young and caught leaning really. Not expecting the speed coming at him. Regardless of those mishaps, he’s probably ahead of Luneau right now because of how quickly he does process things.

Lacombe is probably the most ready, with his overall game, but the other two are going to be better players. Just a matter of time.

They both do all the important things really, really well. Transporting, passing, transition, retrieval skills are great, and most importantly, they think the game at an NHL level. Sky really is the limit for Luneau and Mintyukov.

As for Zellweger, he needs a lot of work. Nothing unexpected. We all knew what his issues were gonna be. He’s hard not to cheer for, but first thing first with him, he needs more core strength, before it’s fair to judge.

Sky really is the limit with the group.. Especially with Drysdale in the mix. No reason to compare them to other teams yet. That stuff will all work itself out. Sure does look like they have two, that are gonna be really good players.
 

Sean Garrity

Quack Quack Quack!
Dec 25, 2007
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Maybe a drawn out 9 game stint would be beneficial. Not sure he'll have much of a chance to bulk up playing jrs or really be challenged physically. Maybe let him in a game or 2 a week while practicing and training with NHL coaches and facilities would be good for him, before eventually finishing off the Q season and leading Canada D at the WJC.
I don't hate this idea at all.

Just watched him again last night.

With the way Luneau has progressed, their group could end up really good.. They love transporting the puck. That’s for sure. Gets them in trouble sometimes but they’ll learn as they mature, they just can’t take off whenever.

You also still have to be careful too, because it is the preseason and there’s a lot more space out there in these games, than there is in regular season games, but Luneau sure looks like he’s gonna be a really good player. Most of his mistakes are from being over aggressive and he’ll learn on those as he matures. He still isn’t the greatest in the corners either, but once again, he’s very young and he’s strong. He’ll get that fixed.

Right now, Mintyukov processes things faster, and that’s gonna help him when things tighten up during regular season games. He has some issues in his own zone too. As an example, you seen him get split 3-4 times last night because he floated outside. They’ll clean that up. It’s not because of anything physical. Just being young and caught leaning really. Not expecting the speed coming at him. Regardless of those mishaps, he’s probably ahead of Luneau right now because of how quickly he does process things.

Lacombe is probably the most ready, with his overall game, but the other two are going to be better players. Just a matter of time.

They both do all the important things really, really well. Transporting, passing, transition, retrieval skills are great, and most importantly, they think the game at an NHL level. Sky really is the limit for Luneau and Mintyukov.

As for Zellweger, he needs a lot of work. Nothing unexpected. We all knew what his issues were gonna be. He’s hard not to cheer for, but first thing first with him, he needs more core strength, before it’s fair to judge.

Sky really is the limit with the group.. Especially with Drysdale in the mix. No reason to compare them to other teams yet. That stuff will all work itself out. Sure does look like they have two, that are gonna be really good players.
Pretty spot on analysis based on this preseason. Maybe a little bit low on Z, but I think he's behind Minty with neither of them being full time NHLers barring significant injury. Lacombe has the lowest ceiling but highest likelihood to meet it IMO. He's looked really good this preseason, which makes sense given his age.
 

lwvs84

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Jan 25, 2003
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None of the Ducks young D may ever be legit #1 guys, but if 4 of them pan out to be #2/3 D and a couple of the defensive D end up being #4, that may be better for Cronin's system and salary cap. None will command huge money and Ducks will have 3 solid pairs that can each give them 20 minutes a night going hard every shift. Plus being able to always have 1 or 2 of Minty, Zell, Luneau, LaCombe, Dry out there means the team can push the pace with speed. Just need something out of Hinds, Warren, Moore to supplement them.
 

Kalv

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Mar 29, 2009
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With Warren cut, seems that Luneau is to stay and play at least another game (otherwise why not send him down at the same time?).

IMO, it is tracking for him to play an NHL game or two to start the year. Not set in stone, but seems trending that way.
 

lwvs84

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Jan 25, 2003
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How can you say something like that at the current state?
Sorry, I was probably unclear. I meant it as there's no guarantee there's going to be a number 1 D, those are rare. There is definitely a good chance, a lot of them are looking really good. Maybe I should have phrased it "even if none of them end up as #1 D."
 
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Boonk

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Oct 10, 2017
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Everyday I wake up and remind myself that I had Luneau ranked at #11 meanwhile he somehow fell to #53.
I have absolutely no idea how he fell into the 2nd round, never mind to the middle of it. I really really wanted him with the Lambert pick but we will see
 
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Kalv

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I have absolutely no idea how he fell into the 2nd round, never mind to the middle of it. I really really wanted him with the Lambert pick but we will see
Injury ruined his season, he did not perform to his maximum, despite being highly touted before that injury. There was a risk and teams went other directions
 
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Anaheim4ever

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Injury ruined his season, he did not perform to his maximum, despite being highly touted before that injury. There was a risk and teams went other directions
And then being in the QMJHL too, its viewed as an offensive league and not good defensively but that is what makes its best defenders underrated imo.
Luneau is tied for 48th best season ever for a QMJHL Dman QMJHL Defensemen - Most Points in a Single Season
Some interesting names in that list, Ray Bourque, Bob Murray, Francois Beauchemin, Keith Yandle, Kevin Lowe.
 
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Kalv

Slava Ukraini
Mar 29, 2009
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And then being in the QMJHL too, its viewed as an offensive league and not good defensively but that is what makes its best defenders underrated imo.
Luneau is tied for 48th best season ever for a QMJHL Dman QMJHL Defensemen - Most Points in a Single Season
Some interesting names in that list, Ray Bourque, Bob Murray, Francois Beauchemin, Keith Yandle, Kevin Lowe.
Interesting. And most of the guys with better historic seasons were in their older seasons. This was Luneau's D+1. It seems that he truly had a historic year.

And seeing him throughout the preseason and in the previous game especially, leading all Ducks in TOI against essentially an LA NHL squad(best players), and being one of only a few non-negative rating Ducks in that game... he's continuing in this trajectory.

With Drysdale signing his chances to start in the NHL decreases. Normally, Drysdale, Gudas, and Lybushkin should be ahead of him in the depth chart. So it might take an injury or him pushing Lybushkin out of the initial spot. Not unrealistic but it will be tough. We might give him a game or two just to get the taste but I think he goes back to the Q regardless.
 
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Smirnov2Chistov

Fire Greg Cronin!
Jan 21, 2011
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Just watched him again last night.

With the way Luneau has progressed, their group could end up really good.. They love transporting the puck. That’s for sure. Gets them in trouble sometimes but they’ll learn as they mature, they just can’t take off whenever.

You also still have to be careful too, because it is the preseason and there’s a lot more space out there in these games, than there is in regular season games, but Luneau sure looks like he’s gonna be a really good player. Most of his mistakes are from being over aggressive and he’ll learn on those as he matures. He still isn’t the greatest in the corners either, but once again, he’s very young and he’s strong. He’ll get that fixed.

Right now, Mintyukov processes things faster, and that’s gonna help him when things tighten up during regular season games. He has some issues in his own zone too. As an example, you seen him get split 3-4 times last night because he floated outside. They’ll clean that up. It’s not because of anything physical. Just being young and caught leaning really. Not expecting the speed coming at him. Regardless of those mishaps, he’s probably ahead of Luneau right now because of how quickly he does process things.

Lacombe is probably the most ready, with his overall game, but the other two are going to be better players. Just a matter of time.

They both do all the important things really, really well. Transporting, passing, transition, retrieval skills are great, and most importantly, they think the game at an NHL level. Sky really is the limit for Luneau and Mintyukov.

As for Zellweger, he needs a lot of work. Nothing unexpected. We all knew what his issues were gonna be. He’s hard not to cheer for, but first thing first with him, he needs more core strength, before it’s fair to judge.

Sky really is the limit with the group.. Especially with Drysdale in the mix. No reason to compare them to other teams yet. That stuff will all work itself out. Sure does look like they have two, that are gonna be really good players.

Probably the best analysis of the Ducks D prospects I have read here in a long time.

I’m skeptical on Zellweger. I can’t look past his small stature and how easily he is at being pushed off the puck at times. The offense is there (undeniably)
 
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Skinnyjimmy08

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Mar 30, 2012
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Zellweger skeptics gonna eat their words
I feel it's ok to be skeptical with Zellweger right now. He definately needs to get atleast a season in the AHL I feel. I am a huge fan of him but he isn't NHL ready yet and there is ZERO reason to rush him. Let him develop for a year or 2 in the AHL and bring him in slowly.

Anaheim will still have a rough season this year so no need to rush the young guys at all. Let them play somewhere where their confidence will continue to increase
 

TJHKY

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Aug 10, 2021
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"Tristan Luneau was named the 2022-23 QMJHL Defenseman of the Year, a QMJHL First Team All-Star and a CHL Second Team All-Star. He scored 20-63=83 points with a +49 rating in 65 games for Gatineau. His 83 points were the most by a QMJHL defenseman since 2013-14 and he was the only defenseman in the QMJHL to lead his club in points in 2022-23."
 
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Kung Fu Tzu

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Aug 21, 2006
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"Tristan Luneau was named the 2022-23 QMJHL Defenseman of the Year, a QMJHL First Team All-Star and a CHL Second Team All-Star. He scored 20-63=83 points with a +49 rating in 65 games for Gatineau. His 83 points were the most by a QMJHL defenseman since 2013-14 and he was the only defenseman in the QMJHL to lead his club in points in 2022-23."

Etienne Morin (2023 draft) actually also lead his team in points, although it was tied with a forward who had 3 games less. He had +29 rating, next best on his team had +14. And Morin also led his team in PO points.

But this just a note and not meant to take anything away from Luneaus spectacular performance. I am very excited to follow his future! :)
 

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