The men's hockey tournament for the 2026 Winter Olympics has almost concluded. One of the most interesting subplots of the tournament though, has been the ability of prospects and depth players to showcase their skills for their respective countries on a national stage. Pavol Regenda for Team Slovakia has been a prime example. The former Anaheim Ducks prospect has gone from being undervalued and miscast, to being elevated into a top six forward role for Slovakia and almost winning a bronze medal for his country.
Who is Pavol Regenda?
Regenda was signed by the Anaheim Ducks out of the Czech Extraliga in 2022. In two seasons with the Ducks, Regenda played 19 games and only registered three points (one goal, two assists). Regenda was traded to the San Jose Sharks for Justing Bailey in 2025. In 16 games this season for the Sharks, Regenda has tallied nine points (eight goals, one assist) and has averaged around 14 minutes of ice time.
SIX GOALS IN FIVE GAMES!
— NHL (@NHL) January 7, 2026
All Pavol Regenda does is score goals! 🦈 pic.twitter.com/3Vu7IC7cJt
In six games for Slovakia during the Olympics, Regenda primarily skated on the second forward line and registered five points (three goals, two assists). Regenda's best game of the tournament was in the quarterfinals against Team Germany, as he scored two goals and tacked on an assist. Even in a disheartening loss to Team USA in the semifinals, Regenda still managed to score a goal.
Don't give up early
NHL general managers are prone to giving up early on underperforming prospects, only to see them blossom later in their careers and the Anaheim Ducks are no different. Shea Theodore was lost in the expansion draft to the Las Vegas Golden Knights and has become one of their best defensemen, while winning a Stanley Cup along the way. Brandon Montour was traded to the Buffalo Sabres and eventually won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. Just this past offseason, Trevor Zegras was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers and has become one of their best forwards, with 49 points (20 goals, 29 assists) in 56 games.
While Regenda is not in the same tier as Theodore, Montour, or Zegras, he would undoubtedly be an upgrade to Anaheim's bottom six. With all due respect to Ross Johnston, Jeffrey Viel, and Jansen Harkins, Regenda has proven that he has more offensive skill than those skaters, by facing off against the world's best in the Olympics and still being able to produce.
Regenda never got a fair shake in Anaheim, as he was saddled with the horrible coaching of Dallas Eakins and Greg Cronin. Hopefully, Regenda's performance in the Olympics will provide more opportunities for him in San Jose and help illustrate that prospects should get more runway to develop, instead of being traded too soon.