Gaucher is one step away from finding that key element in his game that would elevate him into a realistic NHL prospect. He’s built and plays like an ideal bottom-six center: rugged, fearless, big, and decently fast. However, the extra level of physicality, defense, transition play, or offense still hasn’t taken shape. Gaucher needs something additional to push him over the hump from being a good AHL defensive center to a depth NHL option.This archetype does tend to take a long time to develop on average, so don’t t write him off just yet. It looks like he has at least two more AHL seasons before we can truly determine whether he has a good shot. It might be a good time to start thinking about who else might be available to use that roster spot if you currently have him stashed.

While Gaucher’s point totals don’t look impressive, he continues to make progress and remains on track for an NHL role. A defense-first center, Gaucher creates chaos in the slot with tips and rebounds, delivers punishing checks, and plays a highly responsible game at both ends of the ice. He understands his limits and plays the simple options that present themselves. He reportedly played through an undisclosed injury this season. Gaucher scored 12 of his 19 total points in his final 13 games. If this hot streak is indicative that the big center has started to figure out the offensive side of the puck better in the AHL, it remains to be seen. That said, Gaucher’s NHL projection doesn’t depend on an offensive breakout. He is on a path to become a bottom-six player focused on the defensive zone, penalty kill minutes, and physical play. His value will be non-existent for point leagues, but of all the Ducks prospects to keep track of for bangers leagues, Gaucher might be the most promising pure-hitting forward.

Nathan Gaucher has almost wrapped up his first professional season as a hockey player and it has been a slow progression. The Quebecer is trying to figure it out at the high level still, needing probably another season or two in the Anaheim Ducks farm team, the San Diego Gulls. With 6 goals and 11 assists in 56 games, Gaucher is having a hard time keeping a consistent pace in the AHL. With Gaucher’s huge presence, sitting at 6-3, his skating is still one of his fault points. There’s always room for improvement, and we still see Nathan Gaucher as a 3rd line checking forward in the near future with the already stacked Ducks young core.

Gaucher signed an entry-level deal with the Ducks. He finished sixth on the Quebec Remparts in scoring as a secondary scorer on the eventual QMJHL champions. Gaucher is a big, strong player but needs to set himself apart from the pack in the coming seasons. He was a key member of the team that won the gold medal at the 2023 World Junior Championship for Team Canada, along with fellow Ducks prospects Olen Zellweger and Tyson Hinds.

Gaucher has been selected by the Anaheim Ducks with the 22nd overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.