Prospect Info: With the 22nd overall pick in the 2022 draft, the Ducks select Nathan Gaucher

[Dryish]

Relentless forechecker, talented two-way forward, PK specialist. Samuel Påhlsson is that you?

 

[Deuce22]

Don't get the hate for this pick or the comps to Max Jones. I also don't think Duck management sees him as a bottom sixer. I'm hoping for a Ryan Kesler lite. Physical forechecker, win faceoffs, shut down center who could score 40-50 points. Love the fact that he's seen as excellent on the PK. Verbeek knows that this is the type of player who helps you win games.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Kind of a yawner of a pick. I get that getting a 3rd liner in the bottom third of the first round is typical but to me, that doesn't mean you just go, ehh I'll just draft a 3rd liner, then I win no matter what. Maybe I just have Post Logan MacMillan Stress Disorder.

Anyway I know nothing about this player other than the descriptions I've read in the last 12 hours so I'll withhold judgment.

 

[anezthes]

Pronman had him 12th overall with below average skating; average puck skills and hockey sense; above average compete. Projected as a "middle of the lineup" player, with Nic Roy as a comparable.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Pronman had him 12th overall with below average skating; average puck skills and hockey sense; above average compete. Projected as a "middle of the lineup" player, with Nic Roy as a comparable.

I feel like Pronman's "average" rankings encompass most NHL players, and so really aren't that useful.

 

[anezthes]

Button has him as a third line two-way C/W with Backes as a player comparable. 4/5 skating, 3.5/5 hockey sense, 4/5 compete, 2.5/5 scoring touch and 2.5/5 shot.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Button has him as a third line two-way C/W with Backes as a player comparable. 4/5 skating, 3.5/5 hockey sense, 4/5 compete, 2.5/5 scoring touch and 2.5/5 shot.

I would so very gladly take a Backes type anywhere in our middle six or even as the third guy on a top line.

 

[Mr Rogers]

Even the CTP guys weren’t hating on this pick

 

[bsu]

Even the CTP guys weren’t hating on this pick

Those guys think Sam Steel would get us JP from the Oilers straight up.

 

[cheesymc]

What nickname does he have? Can I dub him "El Gaucho" (The cowboy for non spanish speakers)? Or the French Gaucho?

 

[70sSanO]

I would so very gladly take a Backes type anywhere in our middle six or even as the third guy on a top line.

I’m hoping there is enough Tom Wilson in him, less dirty, but still develops that mean streak.

I can’t recall analysis of any player over the last few drafts that had a comparable to Tom Wilson, but I would imagine most GM’s want one.

John

 

[bsu]

Maybe he turns into a Nick Paul type, that would be useful. Haven't seen any videos of him fighting but he seems like he at least finishes his checks & uses his size efficiently. I think he'll be a winger in the NHL especially with our prospect/youth pool. Lets hope he turns more into a Josh Anderson/Nick Paul type instead of a Logan Shaw/Derek Grant type.

 

[ADHB]

I don’t know what his work along the walls looks like, but just based on his size and scouting report, maybe a faster Maroon?

 

[bsu]

His skating stride/posture reminds me of Taylor Hall a little bit. I get the reason the Ducks drafted him, he looks like he will be a great 3rd winger for any good trio.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Relentless forechecker, talented two-way forward, PK specialist. Samuel Påhlsson is that you?

Wrong thread. You're looking for the Lundestrom thread with those descriptions.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I forgot where I heard or read that if Gaucher were to be shifted to wing, then he might be able to improve his scoring production. I don't think he can displace Lundy at center, but we could use a physical, fast, two-way forward to play with Zegras to keep Zegras honest on the ice as well as opposing team from teeing off on Zegras.

Gaucher will have a lot of competition for bottom-6 forwards with the likes of 3C Lundy, C Groulx, C Lopina, and C/RW Colangelo further along their development stages. Groulx, Lopina, and Colangelo are all 6'2. Lundy is 6', but already an establish NHL centerman today with speed to burn.

 

[tomd]

Brian Lawton compared him to a bigger Patrice Bergeron...

 

[Static]

 

[Deuce22]

Like that fact that Kreider was even mentioned as a ceiling comp. Pretty good for a guy who was drafted only because Verbeek likes big guys.

 

[70sSanO]

Gaucher will have a lot of competition for bottom-6 forwards with the likes of 3C Lundy, C Groulx, C Lopina, and C/RW Colangelo further along their development stages. Groulx, Lopina, and Colangelo are all 6'2. Lundy is 6', but already an establish NHL centerman today with speed to burn.

Big difference is Gaucher is a Verbeek pick.

John

 

[SoCal Dreaming]

The other thing i heard from one of them youtube's pre-draft was that one of his line mates had a shoot first mentality. So he was rarely set up and most of his goals was around the goalie. May also be the reason why he drives to the net and goalie often. They did also mentioned that he does shoot on awkward or non dangerous area of the ice(maybe due to his line mates) but if he still was able to beat the goalie then that means his shot is pretty good. Learning the right area's on the ice to shoot would only help his goal total.

 

[duxfan1101]

Delete

 

[Anaheim4ever]

So to summarize he's got a better shot, must faster, much bigger and stronger than Steel.

He's a got a greater chance imo at panning out compared to Tracy when he was drafted. Tracy was like Steel, no one talent stands out about him.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

im happy to see some stuff talking about his talent, and if you got a high end 3rd line center out of the 22nd pick i think most people would be happy with that, it's a valuable commodity and you need size down the middle to win in this league

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

This is the type of player you need. If he becomes a middle six player i'll be happy!