Prospect Update: Nathan Gaucher

By Thomas Harrington

The Anaheim Ducks drafted forward Nathan Gaucher in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, 22nd overall. Gaucher spent most of the past season in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls, but did make his NHL debut towards the end of the regular season.

This was Gaucher’s third professional season. He’s spent much of the previous two seasons as San Diego’s third line center. Unfortunately for Gaucher, he was injured when the season began, and by the time he returned to the lineup at the end of October, Tim Washe had taken over the role of the team’s third line center. Gaucher was inserted onto the fourth line, and played primarily there until Washe was recalled to Anaheim in January. Gaucher was then moved up to the third line for much of the rest of the season. However, he was back on the fourth line towards the end of the season as San Diego had very good center depth to end the year.

Overall, Gaucher played in 62 games for the Gulls and scored 15 goals and 29 points, both career highs for him. He had a slow start to the season, with only a goal and three points through his first 22 games of the season. However, once Washe was recalled and Gaucher was given more ice time, his game really took off. In January, he had eight points in 14 games, and followed that up with six points in nine games in February. This eventually culminated in him recording his first career hat trick in late March against Calgary. He was recalled to Anaheim just a few days later.

After being returned to San Diego in April, he scored three goals in five games to end the season. He appeared in both of the Gulls’ playoff games and was scoreless, serving as the team’s fourth line center. Gaucher finished the season tied for eighth in points on San Diego and tied for sixth in goals.

Gaucher played in three games with the Ducks and was scoreless. In his debut against San Jose, Gaucher played just over seven minutes. He followed that up with over nine minutes of ice time against St. Louis, and then nearly eight against Calgary. He had two shots and held a -1 rating, while getting a little bit of penalty kill time and no powerplay time.

I had two expectations for Gaucher last summer, and he met both of them. First, after struggling with injuries in the 2024-2025 season, I wanted him to stay healthy and play over 60 games. After a rough start, he was able to settle in, stay healthy, and play in 62 games. If not for his NHL recall, it would have even been more. Second, while Gaucher will never be an offensive powerhouse, he should be able to produce more than he did in his sophomore campaign, and match what he did as a rookie. Putting up career highs in goals and points certainly means he passed this expectation with flying colors.

With three games of NHL experience under his belt, the question for Gaucher isn’t how long until he makes his NHL debut. Instead, it’s how long until he becomes a full-time NHL player? Between Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, Leo Carlsson, and Washe, Anaheim is pretty set at center. With that in mind, I do think we are likely to see Gaucher in Anaheim this coming season, but it will likely be on a callup basis rather than a full-time basis. However, depending on how well Gaucher plays this coming season, and what Anaheim’s lineup looks like in the 2027-2028 season, he has a chance to spend all of that season in Anaheim. One other factor is that Gaucher will have to pass through waivers to go from the NHL to the AHL this coming season, which could influence where he spends much of this season.

I have three expectations for Gaucher this coming season. First, for him to play in more games for the Ducks. It would be great for him to record an NHL point, but I’ll settle for him just seeing more time in the NHL. Second, if he spends most of the season in the AHL, for him to approach the 20 goal and 40 point marks. Finally, for him to stay healthy for a full season.

Gaucher has one year left on his entry-level contract. After struggling in the 2024-2025 season and a difficult start to this past season, I wasn’t entirely sure if the Ducks would look to extend him a year from now. However, after a strong second half surge and making his NHL debut, I think the odds of Anaheim re-signing Gaucher are significantly higher. He still needs to play well this coming season, but as long as he does, Gaucher should be extended, likely for a year or two on a two-way deal.

The next prospect update will be on forward Coulson Pitre.

Related Articles:

Graduated Prospect: Beckett Sennecke

Graduated Prospect: Tim Washe

Graduated Prospect: Ian Moore

Prospect Profile: Anton Wahlberg

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July 13th, 2026