Pucks of a Feather
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Ducks 2020 Draft Spotlight: Noel Gunler Adds Offensive Creativity to 1st Round

By Ben Thomasian

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND - DECEMBER 03: #8 Noel Gunler of Lulea HF warms up prior the Champions Hockey League match between Lausanne HC and Lulea HF at Vaudoise Arena on December 3, 2019 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND - DECEMBER 03: #8 Noel Gunler of Lulea HF warms up prior the Champions Hockey League match between Lausanne HC and Lulea HF at Vaudoise Arena on December 3, 2019 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images) /
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LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – DECEMBER 03: Team Lausanne HC and team Lulea HF lines up for national anthem during the Champions Hockey League match between Lausanne HC and Lulea HF at Vaudoise Arena on December 3, 2019 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – DECEMBER 03: Team Lausanne HC and team Lulea HF lines up for national anthem during the Champions Hockey League match between Lausanne HC and Lulea HF at Vaudoise Arena on December 3, 2019 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images) /

An Offensive Threat the Anaheim Ducks Need in their Arsenal

Bugbears aside, Gunler is a lethal offensive threat that has yet to be fully realized at the professional level. Sitting on 9 points in 35 games (0.26 ppg), it would appear that Gunler’s scoring has tapered off. Context matters. The highest scorer on the team is on a mere 24 points (0.61 ppg) and gets far more minutes. However, moving past his SHL stats and going back to his final season in the SuperElit league, Gunler put up a stat line of 27 goals and 19 assists (46 points) in 31 games. To put that in perspective, only three players in the last two decades have beaten that production prior to their draft year: William Nylander (1.59 ppg), Lias Andersson (1.59 ppg), and Jesper Boqvist (1.53 ppg). It truly is exceptional production for a draft-minus-one player.

A goaltenders nightmare, Gunler’s shot is a weapon of great magnitude. Firstly, he has a deceptively quick release. It doesn’t matter if it’s a wrist-shot, a snap-shot or a one-timer, they all come off the blade fast, hard and accurate. It’s no exaggeration to say that his release is already elite. What may be even more impressive is how he generates his power.

To this, many would compare Gunler’s release to that of the Canucks forward, Elias Pettersson. They both have a sweeping type of release, exceptional transfer of weight, and a beautiful push-pull action of the wrists. Certainly, Pettersson is no slouch. However, after pouring in the criticism early, it’s now time for me to pour on the platitudes. I would direct you to envision the greatest goal scorer in league history. Alexander Ovechkin. How often do you see Ovie catch the pass, rock back onto the back foot, before driving forward with the shot?

A Talent Reminiscent of the Great 8

Gunler’s ability to generate drive and power, and to flex the stick, is reminiscent of Ovie’s and a far cry from the slow release so many junior hockey players present. I would in no way suggest Gunler has the ability to match the greatest scorer and soon to be #1 in goal scorer in NHL history, however, stylistically they are similar. With the Ducks screaming for a player who can shoot the puck to go onto a wing with last year’s #9 draft selection, Trevor Zegras, Gunler may be able to provide them with a howitzer they can’t readily pass up.

In close, out wide, a slapper from the point, Gunler can do it all. Although it must be noted that his favorite spot appears to be that left circle office, much like that great 8. Furthermore, a great strength of his is that he is able to execute at high speed. A cerebral player, Gunler’s instincts and ability to think the game is amongst the top of his age group. In some cases, he could be described as playing 5D chess, when everyone else is stuck on 3D.

Find the open man? Gunler can do it. Thread the eye of the needle? Gunler can not only do it, but he’ll also do it through the eye of the needle lost in the stack of needles. Alongside his lethal shot, Gunler’s attentiveness to the flow of the game is his trump card and ace in the hole rolled into one.

"“Gunler is dangerous in transition and a great fast break playmaker. He has scoring ability sure, but so far in the games I’ve tracked of his, 28% of his pass attempts are directed at or through dangerous areas.” – Will Scouch (scouching.ca)"

Noel Gunler Was Born to be Creative

Adding to the danger he presents on offense, Gunler is a well above average passer for a player many pundits write off as merely a trigger puller. He has no problem one-touch passing, and going from being the receiver to the passer in but an instant. However, it should be said that he does tend to overthink things and as a result, can force plays that might not be there. I would, however, argue that this is not necessarily a negative. Certainly, against great players he will be likely to turn the puck over, yet the Ducks faithful have seen the same thing from Ryan Getzlaf at times.

A brilliant facilitator in his own right, Getzlaf turns the puck over forcing back passes more than any Ducks fan would like. He also makes goals appear out of nothing more than any player should have the right to. Gunler has this type of vision. He won’t be the passer that Getzlaf is, but it would be a shame to iron the flair out of a young player who was born to be creative. The Anaheim Ducks need creativity, and Gunler can provide it if they’re willing to let him roam free and be excellent like the wild stallion he is.

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