Prospect Update: Pavol Regenda

By Thomas Harrington

Pavol Regenda joined the Anaheim Ducks as an undrafted free agent before the 2022-2023 season. He played primarily for the San Diego Gulls this past season, but also saw five games of action with Anaheim.

Regenda played in 54 games with the Gulls and scored 19 goals and 34 points with them. He increased his goal total by six and his point total by nine, while playing in only four more games than the previous season with San Diego. Regenda’s 34 points were good for seventh on the team and his 19 goals were third. If he had played more games with the Gulls, there’s no doubt he would have hit the 20 goal and 40 point marks. He spent most of the year playing on San Diego’s top two lines but also missed a dozen games to injury in December and January.

With the Ducks, Regenda played in five games and was scoreless. He averaged 11:34 of ice time per game, which was up from the 10:33 he averaged the previous season. However, he also played in 14 games with the Ducks the year prior.

I had two expectations for Regenda last summer, and he managed to make one of them. First, when in the AHL, I wanted Regenda to be one of San Diego’s top offensive performers. While his overall point production wasn’t as high as I would have liked, if he’d played in more games, there’s no question he would have been one of the team’s top five point producers and probably first or second in goals. Despite all the time missed, I’m satisfied with him finishing third in goals and seventh in points. Second, when in Anaheim, for him to set new career highs in goals and points. He had scored a goal and three points the year prior, but playing in only a handful of games kept this out of his reach.

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Regenda will likely once again be playing for Anaheim and San Diego this coming season. He’s proven that he can produce at the AHL level, but has yet to put it all together at the NHL level. The Ducks look pretty set at forward right now, but if he has a good enough training camp, there’s definitely a couple of players he could push for playing time.

I have a couple of expectations for Regenda this coming season, and they are the same ones I had for him a year ago. First, when he’s with the Gulls, to be one of their better offensive players. Second, to set new career highs in goals and points in the NHL. This isn’t a make-or-break season for Regenda, but it won’t be a great sign for his NHL future if he spends the entire year in the AHL.

Regenda was a restricted free agent this summer, but after being qualified by the Ducks, he signed a one-year two-way deal with Anaheim. He’ll be a restricted free agent again next summer. As long as Regenda continues to produce at the AHL level while getting some games with the Ducks, I think Anaheim will be happy to keep extending him. However, if he feels like he’s not getting enough time in the NHL, Regenda could ask to not be qualified and allowed to leave as a free agent.

Yesterday, Regenda took a puck to the face during training camp, but was able to return. He appeared no worse for wear.

The next prospect update will be on defenseman Tristan Luneau.

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September 22nd, 2024