Luca Cagnoni Stays Hot, Making Push To Get To Sharks

San Jose Sharks top defense prospect Luca Cagnoni has begun his professional hockey career with a scorching hot start.

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Cagnoni leads all AHL defensemen in scoring with six points (four goals, two assists) in five games. Former Sharks defenseman Jacob MacDonald is second with five points.

The 19-year-old has been held off the scoresheet in one game and has goals in three straight. The San Jose Barracuda have come out of the gates hot, winning five of its first six games.

Listed at 5’9 is likely the only reason he slipped to the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Cagnoni scored 90 points in 65 games with the Portland Winterhawks last season.

Related: Sharks Prospects: Luca Cagnoni Posts Best Season By A WHL Defenseman In The 21st Century

The defenseman was among the last training camp cuts, raising the eyebrows of Sharks GM Mike Grier.

“I think Cags has been really good,” Grier said. “I think right from training camp he’s been one of our best d for us and he’s continued his strong play down there. I think he’s in a good spot.”

The Sharks have struggled to break the puck out and create offense from their back end. Cagnoni was stellar during the preseason and manned the top powerplay unit for multiple games.

The Barracuda are leading the league in goals with 25 and have a goal differential of +16, which also leads the league.

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