Welcome back to another edition of NHL Rumours from the crew at Last Word on Hockey. With the season settling in and clubs beginning to separate themselves, teams are making difficult choices about playing time, development, and long-term fit. The Anaheim Ducks find themselves in that conversation again, and this time it involves a former top-ten pick. Today’s focus is on the growing noise surrounding defenceman Pavel Mintyukov and what a potential move would mean for both the player and the team.
All NHL Rumours come from their original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours: Ducks Defenceman Pavel Mintyukov Looking to be Moved
Rumour: On the latest edition of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman reported that after consecutive healthy scratches, word has circulated that Pavel Mintyukov may prefer a move if he will not play. He has fallen behind Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger on Anaheim’s left side, and Ian Moore, who impressed early, has passed him on the depth chart. The Sporting Tribune also noted that Mintyukov’s recent scratches reflect performance concerns more than any off-ice issues. Despite the frustration, Friedman added that Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek is not rushing into anything.
Analysis: Why Mintyukov’s Situation Reached This Point
Mintyukov’s talent has never been in question. He was the OHL Defenceman of the Year before becoming the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. His Advanced Hockey Stats card pegs him at 83% EV offence, a mark that places him among the strongest young offensive defencemen in the league. However, his defensive impacts continue to lag far behind. His EV defence percentile sits at 9%, and the Ducks are being pinned in their zone when he plays. MoneyPuck’s numbers show a troubling pattern: Anaheim controls just 43.1% of expected goals with him on the ice, and the Mintyukov–Moore pairing ranks at 39.4% xG%, the lowest on the team. It is similar with Drew Helleson. These trends have pushed him out of the lineup despite his draft pedigree.
His individual results paint the same picture. Mintyukov has two points in 18 games, a 0% shooting percentage, only one high-danger chance, and an IPP of just 25% despite being viewed as an offensive catalyst. The underlying distributional numbers are equally challenging. For example, he has 18 giveaways to just two takeaways, limited rush creation, and minimal rebound generation. His average Game Score sits at –0.15, among the lowest on the Ducks blueline. When the coaching staff argues that they need more reliability, the data supports them.
Still, he is only 21 years old, carries top-pairing offensive upside, and was the 10th overall pick in 2022. These factors matter, and they matter a lot.
Anaheim goal!Scored by Pavel Mintyukov with 15:34 remaining in the 3rd period.Anaheim: 3Washington: 3#WSHvsANA #FlyTogether #ALLCAPS
— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) 2025-03-12T04:11:59.909553Z
What the Ducks Would Need from a Mintyukov Trade
The Ducks are no longer rebuilding. Their young core of Carlsson, Zellweger, LaCombe, Gauthier, and McTavish is already established, and Anaheim’s internal expectation is that contention begins 2026–2030. Any trade involving Mintyukov must fit that timeline. This is not a situation where Anaheim accepts draft picks and waits three more years. Furthermore, Verbeek has been consistent on this point. He values players and prospects who help now or soon.
That eliminates a picks-only package. It also eliminates long-horizon prospects who need four more years before contributing.
Instead, Anaheim will want:
- A young, cost-controlled top-six forward already contributing, or
- A blue-chip prospect who is NHL-ready by 2026–27, or
- A premium prospect plus a 1st-round pick from a team with surplus forward talent
This is not a “sell-low” scenario. Young offensive defencemen with Mintyukov’s projection typically require significant returns. Comparables include Adam Boqvist as part of the Seth Jones trade at age 21, and Noah Hanifin bringing back Dougie Hamilton and the 15th pick at 22. Anaheim’s ask would likely begin negotiations asking for more an almost shocking centrepiece from the other side.
Why a Mintyukov Trade Is Possible but Not Imminent
There is genuine frustration here. Mintyukov expected to play meaningful minutes this season, yet he now sits behind Zellweger, LaCombe, and Moore. The Ducks’ system has tightened defensively, and Mintyukov’s current game does not yet match the philosophy. However, Anaheim controls every lever in this situation. Mintyukov has term, age, pedigree, and upside, and the Ducks remain in a strong negotiating position. A move only happens if it accelerates their rise, not delays it.
For now, Mintyukov remains an important asset, even if his place in Anaheim looks less certain than it did a year ago.
Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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