Sheng Peng
What do NHL scouts think of Walker Duehr and Pavol Regenda?
The San Jose Sharks acquired both wingers today, claiming Duehr off waivers from the Calgary Flames and acquiring Regenda from the Anaheim Ducks for Justin Bailey.
Are Duehr and Regenda seen as legitimate NHL wingers? What’s the San Jose Sharks’ big picture thinking with these moves?
Walker Duehr
Duehr, 27, is a 6-foot-2 winger who’s played in parts of four seasons with the Flames, skating fourth-line minutes (8:55 a game), and has nine goals and 10 assists in 84 games.
He did have a surprising 2022-23 with the Flames, notching seven goals in just 27 contests, but he’s failed to repeat that success.
“I liked him a couple of years ago,” Scout #1 said.
“I think he’s an NHL player,” Scout #2 said. “Has size and can skate.”
Executive #1 isn’t so sure: “A little bit better version of Bailey. A fringe player.”
He actually sees both Duehr and Regenda in a similar light, as power forwards: “Less skill than Regenda but more straightaway speed.”
“Surprised they claimed him,” Scout #1 said. “Sharks have a lot of similar players.”
In the NHL, Barclay Goodrow, Luke Kunin, Carl Grundstrom, Ty Dellandrea, Klim Kostin, and Nikolai Kovalenko are ahead of Duehr for bottom-six winger minutes. Center Nico Sturm was just put on IR, but Duehr’s not a center.
“Maybe they don’t want to deplete the AHL,” Exec #1 said.
“Starting to acquire NHL players in anticipation of Trade Deadline trades,” Scout #3 opined. “Also, you do this so that you can keep your AHL team strong for a playoff run.”
Duehr has got off to a hot start with the Calgary Wranglers, scoring 11 goals in 20 games. He has 37 goals and 32 assists in 127 AHL appearances.
Pavel Regenda
In that sense, the San Jose Sharks have made just depth additions to the NHL club, but they’ve certainly added to the San Jose Barracuda in Duehr and Regenda.
Industry sources don’t see Regenda, 25, as an NHL’er.
“I don’t think he has enough to be a full-time player,” Scout #1 said. “Can give games up top, but more of a tweener for me.”
“More just depth. Not sure about full-time,” Scout #2 said.
In parts of two seasons with the Ducks, the power forward has one goal and two assists in 19 games.
That said, Regenda is just 25 and was promising in his first two AHL campaigns. Last season, he broke out for 19 goals and 15 assists in 54 games.
“He hasn’t had a good year this year. Thought he had taken a step last year,” Exec #1 said. “He has size and competes. Plays a responsible game, just hasn’t really developed the offensive side [for the NHL].”
“Physical, scores around the net,” Scout #2 said. “When he first came over, he was really good and has since gotten complacent.”
Regenda has four goals and 12 assists in 36 San Diego Gulls games this season.
It sounds like Regenda has a smidge more upside than Duehr, but neither appear to be surefire NHL options. They’re credible in a pinch though? And they should help the Cuda, who look like a legit playoff team.