This is a spicy one. The red-hot Anaheim Ducks may be forced to move their former top 10 pick, Pavel Mintyukov. It was reported earlier this week that if Mintyukov can’t find his way into this Ducks rotation as more than just a depth piece, he may want out. Let’s take a deep dive into Mintyukov and a potential mock trade for him.

Pavel Mintyukov Situation:

Drafted: 2022, 10th overall by the Anaheim Ducks

Physicals: 6’1″ 207lbs

Style: Physical, shut-down defenceman

I do think I was lower on Mintyukov in his draft year than most were, but higher on him in the past few seasons. Really, before Jackson LaCombe broke out last year, I saw Mintyukov as the defenceman of the future in Anaheim. But, seeing as LaCombe and Zellweger have played so well, I don’t see Anaheim keeping Mintyukov in just a depth role. But even with that, why trade him? Anaheim looks great right now, their offence is buzzing, and clearly the left side of their defence doesn’t need any work. Well, Anaheim is going to be cap-crunched very shortly. Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier breaking out to superstar status is great news, but it is a contract year for the both of them. Not to mention Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, and Ryan Poehling would need new contracts or replacements. On top of that, Owen Zellweger and Ian Moore (the current third pair, 23-year-old Ducks left side) both need new deals on top of that. The Ducks have $41M in projected cap space, but keeping Gauthier and Carlsson alone could easily bring that number down to below $20M fast.

Oh, and by the way, Mintyukov is up to. Anaheim might seem like they’re rolling in cap space now, but if they intend to keep everyone, it’s going to depend on pay cuts. Anaheim could instead choose to kill two birds with one stone. Move Mintyukov for a cost-controlled asset and let Ian Moore run the third pair for a cheaper deal.

To create your own mock trades, visit boxscorejunkie.com/trade-machine

Mock Trade:

Anaheim Ducks Receive: Carter Mazur, 2026 2nd round pick, 2026 3rd round pick

Detroit Red Wings Receive: Pavel Mintyukov

Why:

Well, Anaheim certainly has top-of-the-lineup talent. In this trade, they get a bottom-six grinder who is NHL-ready now and has been for a while. If they are willing to take the risk of his injury history, he could easily be the cheap, gritty, depth scorer who can give them good minutes. On top of that, they bulk up on early round picks, having nine in the first two rounds over the next three seasons. Detroit gets a highly touted defenceman, something they no longer have since Edvinsson and Sandin-Pellikka have both made the lineup.

More to Read:

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.