2022 Rookie Faceoff: Anaheim vs San Jose – Notes

San Jose, California. The annual 2022 Rookie Faceoff kicked off today – first with a game between the Kings and Avalanche (of which I caught some of the action, Brandt Clarke is looking very good) and then headlining with the hosts facing off against the Ducks.

I won’t provide a full recap of the Rookie Faceoff game here – just some notes on the players that stood out to me.

#40 – Pavol Regenda: Given he appears to be the replacement for Alex Limoges this season I tried to keep a very close eye on Regenda. He did look composed on both sides of the puck but also lacked speed at times – often appearing a step behind a pass in the offensive zone.

#51 – Olen Zellweger: After seeing Brandt Clarke in action earlier I was very excited to see what Zellweger would do. He didn’t immediately stand out – but then again, the Ducks didn’t see any Power Play time in the early goings. He had one really dominant shift in the final quarter of the second period – single-handedly keeping the puck in the San Jose zone – roving around the zone and coming inches from putting the puck into an empty net as he snuck around to the side on a chance. He was penciled in on the top power play unit but Somner went with the second unit to start the Ducks first Power Play in the second period.

#52 – Blake McLaughlin: McLaughlin is one of the older players there and it was fairly clear in his play. He wasn’t afraid to try things at his first Rookie Faceoff- at one point making a nice backhand curling pass hand off a zone entry. He also set up several chances for Nijhoff and Golod. It is going to be fun watching him develop some chemistry with whomever he gets placed with on the Gulls this season. He is likely going to need to be placed on a line with a physical and strong center as he may need help winning puck battles against some of the bigger guys.

#34 – Pavel Mintyukov: I tweeted at the midway point of the game that it felt like Mintyukov was looking better than Zellweger. It wasn’t meant as a slight – I just expected more from Zellweger given how impressive his development has been so far. Mintyukov was one to watch – showing in every which way why he was a high first round selection. Two facets of his game really stood out to me. 1. He really loves to carry the puck – regardless of time or space or even speed; at one point he still fought it up ice while three Sharks players surrounded him. 2. He loves to shoot. It’s a such a simple play but it is so effective – several times he received a pass at the point and just immediately floated it on net. Every single time it caused some sort of issue for the Sharks down low.

#47 – Noah Warren: Wow – this kid might be a steal. He already looks ready for the pro game; his size and reach broke up plays with ease. He stood up for himself. He c;eared the crease. His wrist shot goal in the second period was a perfect shot and astutely timed as he recognized the traffic in front.

#61 – Tyson Hinds: Hinds didnt stand out but in a good way and is still looking like a quality third round pick. He was quietly efficient in negating any would be plays for the Sharks while also quickly transitioning the puck up ice on the counter attack. He was one of those players where you saw his number a lot – he was always in the thick of everything. Speaking of someone always in the middle of everything…

#46 – Nathan Gaucher: It was SO WEIRD seeing a different player wearing the now infamous Trevor Zegras number that it took a long time to adjust, But make no mistake – Gaucher was one of the better if not the best forward for the Ducks out there tonight. Great on both sides of the puck – which was as advertised after he was selected late in the first round this past summer; but he also showed what the future holds for him and the Ducks on offense also – hanging out in the paint for his goal in the second period.

#37 – Mason McTavish: Should have dominated but didn’t and it felt like he was quite significantly holding back in this – his second Rookie Faceoff tournament. Whether it was because the Sharks allowed no opportunity or space or he was just didn’t gel with his line-mates, we didn’t see much of the McTavish that we know should make the Ducks this year. He had one high danger chance and one clear cut shot on net that I could remember.

#64 – Jacob Perreault: Appeared content to float and accept one-timer passes from McTavish but not do much else. Toward the end of the game he did up his defensive game – but again like McTavish – this was a game he should have dominated or at least showed some additional motivation.

#56 – Brayden Tracey: Tracey had some very good looks in the first period and then kind of faded as the game went on. A microcosm of his season with the Gulls lat year. He did have a two on one break with McTavish after he was done serving a penalty for a Gage Alexander slash but couldn’t receive McTavishs return pass (which he should have shot but as noted above – he appeared to be allergic to shooting tonight).

#80 – Ben King: Given he is likely on the Gulls this year I tried to keep an eye on him also. He appears to like sitting at the top of the crease and is not afraid to take the shot – he and Lopina seemed to be … not a good match given going to the crease is Lopinas bread and butter also. King was meant to be the winger on this line so he was the one out of position most of the time when likely just playing his game. They probably shouldn’t be on a line together..

#73 – Sean Tschigerl: I wish this kid could come to the Gulls this season. He does nothing but hustle, fore-check and cause a nuisance of himself. One of those players that didn’t immediately stand out but quietly had a good game – much like he did at the last Rookie Faceoff.

#79 – Gage Alexander: After watching the Kings game this morning featuring 2018 3rd round pick Justus Annunen and 2018 sixth round pick Jacob Ingham I had concerns that the Ducks rookie roster contingent of goaltenders might be their downfall. Alexander was great in tight – tracking players that came across his crease without too much difficulty and making one great side to side pad stop but was beat high glove side on both regulation San Jose goals. For such a big goaltender, he didn’t use his size to cut down the angles. The Eklund OT goal didn’t look great either – although Zellweger should take blame for that also.

The Ducks are back at it again Saturday against the Coyotes. I figure Brayden Peters gets the start with a couple of the other tryouts being inserted into the line-up.