Luca Cagnoni, a 20-year-old defenseman for the San Jose Sharks, made his NHL debut against the formidable Carolina Hurricanes. Although the Sharks lost 3-1, Cagnoni's performance should be assessed with leniency due to his youth and the challenges of facing a high-caliber team. Despite struggles, notably with the Hurricanes' forecheck, there were positive aspects to his play. His successful AHL season, where he was a standout among defensemen, raises expectations but also emphasizes the significant transition to the NHL level.
We have to remember to grade Luca Cagnoni's NHL debut on a curve.
The 2023 fourth-round pick is second among all AHL defensemen with 47 points.
That said, there are three things that I liked about Cagnoni's NHL debut.
No player is perfect, you're just looking for, big picture, a consistent net positive effect on games.
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