Prospect Update: Josh Lopina

By Thomas Harrington

Anaheim chose center Josh Lopina in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, 98th overall. He completed his second season in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls.

After a rough rookie year, Lopina took big strides in his sophomore AHL campaign, scoring 14  goals and 23 points in 69 games. He set career highs in games played, goals, assists, and points. He spent most of the year as San Diego’s fourth line center, but did play up in the lineup sporadically throughout the season. Lopina also saw some time on the man advantage and scored four power play goals. He scored a career high two goals and three points against Ontario in late December.

I had two expectations for Lopina last season, and he hit both. First, after playing in 59 games as a rookie, I wanted to see him hit that 60 games played mark. He ended up missing only three games all season. Second, while he’s not known as a big time scorer, he needed to put up more than the four points he had as a rookie. My goal for him was 10, and he more than doubled that.

Lopina will be back with the Gulls this coming season, likely once again being the team’s fourth line center. Depending on what happens in Anaheim and San Diego, he has a chance to play higher in the lineup. For example, if Nathan Gaucher makes his way to the NHL, there will be a big void on San Diego’s third line for someone to fill, and Lopina would likely be one of the candidates to do so.

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Lopina is still a ways away from the NHL, if he makes it at all. If he does, it will be as a fourth line center and penalty killer. He’s never going to put up a ton of points, but if he can improve this coming year the way he did last year, he could have a shot at making his NHL debut in the 2025-2026 season.

After such a successful sophomore campaign, I’m hoping Lopina’s third year is even better. However, I also don’t want to put things too far out of reach. I’ll settle for him improving over last year but not taking such large offensive strides. First, I want him to once again play in almost every San Diego game. I really believe his consistency in the lineup last year is one of the big reasons for his improved play. Second, for him to set career highs in goals and points. Finally, for him to continue to see time on the power play and penalty kill units.

Lopina has one more year left on his entry-level deal; he’ll be a restricted free agent when it’s complete. He likely won’t have made his NHL debut when his current deal is up, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Ducks re-signed him. At that point, he’ll be one of San Diego’s veterans, and having consistency in the lineup can be beneficial for a team, especially a young one, as San Diego likely will be again this coming year. I think Lopina will get extended for a year on a two-way deal, and he’ll probably continue to sign deals like that down the line until he does make it to the NHL. If he does, at that point, he may have earned himself a one-way deal.

The next prospect update will be on winger Yegor Sidorov.

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September 12th, 2024