With one of the best prospect pools in the NHL, the Sharks have elite talent at every position. However, players emerge to become great despite all of the talent around them. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, Luca Cagnoni has burst onto the scene and become a prominent prospect in the Sharks system. But how did he get to this point as a fourth-round pick and what does it mean for the club moving forward?
Luca Cagnoni’s Strong Draft Year
The year before he was draft eligible, 2021-22, Cagnoni showed flashes of offensive brilliance in his first full junior year. He finished the Portland Winterhawks season with 36 points in 63 games as a 17-year-old. He followed up that year with a brilliant 2022-23 draft-eligible campaign. In 67 games, Cagnoni jumped from 36 points to 64 and showcased his dynamic play to scouts. But, why did Cagnoni slip in mock drafts and fall to the fourth round?
The answer lies in his size. He is 5’9″ and weighs 181 pounds, so some scouts saw his small stature as a barrier to his development. And besides, there is always the potential that he is just another player who puts up points in junior. Cagnoni shut this idea down during the 2023-24 season. He played in 65 games and exploded for 90 points. His point total was top 20 in the entire WHL and first among defencemen. He also netted 18 goals, which highlighted his shooting ability. But, again, the question loomed in everybody’s mind; could this play translate to professional hockey?
Making the Most of the Opportunity
After a strong training camp, Cagnoni was part of the Sharks preseason roster. He has played in three of the Sharks four preseason contests and has impressed in each one. While there are areas for improvement in his game, especially on the defensive side, he makes up for it in other areas. Cagnoni’s skating ability is already at an NHL level. Against professional competition, he has been able to create space with his feet, with and without the puck. He is also an exceptional passer. Cagnoni can identify open teammates and execute a pass to them from anywhere on the ice.
Cagnoni’s biggest strength, however, is his ability to be a power play quarterback. San Jose has seen extended offensive zone time and generated good looks with the man advantage, largely because of Cagnoni’s presence. He’s utilized his vision to distribute the puck to players such as Macklin Celebrini, Tyler Toffoli and William Eklund. His skill on the power play is reminiscent of Lane Hutson and Cale Makar.
Celebrini gets the #SJSharks first goal of the preseason!! pic.twitter.com/6akl5jjQRT
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) September 23, 2024
Looking Ahead to the Future
Heading into last season, Cagnoni flew a bit under the radar and wasn’t expected to make an impact this early. At the moment, Cagnoni is still on the training camp roster ahead of the team’s final preseason matchup. We don’t know which way the club will lean, but the two options are to send him back to Portland or have him play in the AHL or NHL. If he plays for the Winterhawks, he’ll have a chance to continue his development in a lower-pressure environment. He can focus on his game and not worry about competing for spots with the big club.
Cagnoni has signed his entry-level contract, so if the club decides to place him in either the AHL or NHL, he looks to be ready. He has played against high-level competition, so the adjustment period may be short. Whichever direction both sides decide to take, they don’t have to rush anything. The Sharks have a key piece to the rebuild with Luca Cagnoni and making sure his development is done correctly is key for the future of the team.
Main Photo Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
