Prospect Update: Noah Warren

By Thomas Harrington

The Anaheim Ducks drafted defenseman Noah Warren in the second round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, 42nd overall. For the second year in a row, he played exclusively for the San Diego Gulls.

Warren improved on his rookie season in every way. After recording four assists in 60 games with a -10 rating, Warren’s sophomore campaign saw him score two goals and 12 points in 61 games with an even rating. He played primarily on San Diego’s bottom pair and also saw time on the team’s penalty kill. Warren started the season with an assist in back-to-back games and scored his first career AHL goal in early November. He missed some time late in the season with an injury but returned in time for the postseason. Warren played in both of San Diego’s playoff games and picked up an assist on the team’s lone goal in the series against Colorado.

I had a few expectations for Warren last summer, and he met two of them. First, I wanted him to play in 60 games. He didn’t exactly blow past that number, but he certainly met that expectation. Second, I wanted to see him play on the second pair more often. That didn’t happen. The Gulls had both Tristan Luneau and Roland McKeown playing above him on the right side. I had thought Luneau would spend more time in Anaheim, but since that didn’t happen, there wasn’t really a path for Warren to move up the lineup. Finally, I wanted Warren to score at least one goal, and he was able to score two.

Warren should be back with San Diego this coming season. Even with the right side of Anaheim’s defense looking very thin, I still think Warren will spend most of the year with the Gulls. However, if he’s having a very strong year and the Ducks need help on the backend, I could see Warren getting a handful of NHL games.

With Luneau all but assured a spot in Anaheim’s lineup, there’s a definitive path for Warren to get more playing time with the Gulls this coming year. However, the Ducks did sign three defensemen in July to two-way contracts, so Warren could be competing for playing time against Travis Mitchell, Corey Schueneman, and Jett Woo. With that in mind, I have a few expectations for Warren this coming season. First, for him to play in a top four role more than he has previously. Second, for him to eclipse the 65 game mark. And finally, for him to set career highs in goals and points.

I think Warren is still at least another year or more away from the NHL. If he does make it to Anaheim, it will be on the bottom pair or as the team’s seventh defenseman. If the Ducks view him as a seventh defenseman, that could actually accelerate his timetable to the NHL, since he would be a healthy scratch more often than not. Given how weak the right side of Anaheim’s defense currently is, the odds of Warren making his NHL debut this season have gone up, but are still far from a guarantee.

Warren has one year left on his entry-level deal. With Luneau likely in Anaheim by then and not a ton of defensive prospects playing on the right side set to join the Gulls soon, Warren should absolutely be extended a year from now, especially if his play takes another step up in his third professional season. It’ll likely be a two-way deal for one or two years.

The next prospect update will be on forward Alexandre Blais.

Related Articles:

Prospect Update: Yegor Sidorov

Prospect Update: Drew Schock

Prospect Update: Nico Myatovic

Prospect Update: Michael Callow

Prospect Update: Vyacheslav Buteyets 

Prospect Update: Lasse Boelius

Prospect Update: Maxim Masse

Prospect Update: Tomas Suchanek 

Prospect Update: Coulson Pitre

Prospect Update: Nathan Gaucher

Listen to our hockey podcast by clicking below or visiting us at Apple Podcasts, Rumble, Spreaker, or YouTube.

Support us by becoming a DucksNPucks patron! Members can win game tickets, Ducks gear, and more!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

August 4th, 2026