Luca Cagnoni Can Play Defense

Last week, Luca Cagnoni signed his ELC with the San Jose Sharks. As a 5'9" defenseman, many Sharks fans have flashes of Ryan Merkley 2.0, a small defenseman known for his offense, and would rather do anything else in the defensive zone. Cagnoni is not that guy. Far from it.

While Cagnoni will never be a shut-down defenseman, he is an active player who engages and works hard in his own zone and uses his lack of size to his advantage.

When you are 5'9" you have to be better technically because you can't use your size to overcome mistakes. The puck comes out of the zone, and the Kelowna forward has a breakaway. Cagnoni uses his speed to catch up to the forward, and perfect technique to break up the play without committing a penalty, let alone a shot attempt. He's even able to start the transition.

In a four-on-four situation, Luca Cagnoni is stuck defending a two-on-one. He does a great job simulating pressure on the shooter but backing off to allow the goalie to take responsibility for the shooter while Cagnoni covers the pass. He blocks the pass and springs the transition that leads directly to a goal.

Again, Cagnoni is only 5'9" but weighs a solid 180 pounds and isn't afraid to use his size. Hiroki Gojsic is listed at 6'3" and 198 pounds, and it doesn't matter. Cagnoni snuffs out the play at the blueline.

Playing defense is about technique and attitude, and Cagnoni has both. Against a 6'4", 209-pound Tyler Thorpe Cagnoni uses his size to his advantage. He gets under the bigger player to force the puck back to the half wall but then beats Thorpe back to the crease to block the shot.

While Luca Cagnoni will have to deal with stiffer competition when he jumps from the WHL to the AHL and beyond, his attitude and technique will help him overcome his lack of size. This, paired with his electric offense, is why Cagnoni is worth betting on.