The Anaheim Ducks secured a 3-2 overtime victory against the Utah Mammoths, marking the return of captain Radko Gudas to their lineup. With his comeback, the Ducks now boast seven healthy, NHL-ready defensemen.
Pavel Minchukov has been a healthy scratch for the Ducks during their last two games, a situation reminiscent of last season when the team had an overcrowded blue line. This season, the crowded defense has been further complicated by the rise of young defenseman Ian Moore, who is noted for being more dependable and composed on defense, as well as cleaner during breakouts.
According to NHL analyst Elliott Friedman in his latest blog “32 Thoughts,” Minchukov is reportedly favoring a trade if he doesn’t get playing time. Minchukov is currently behind Jackson Lacombe and Oren Zellweger on the Ducks’ left defense side, with Moore, the 10th overall pick from the 2022 draft, stepping up in his place. General Manager Pat Verbeek is not in a rush to trade, given Moore’s strong performance and potential.
Minchukov, now playing his 149th NHL game, has accumulated 50 points in his career, including 9 goals and 41 assists, with three assists in 18 games this season. He had a promising rookie year in 2023-24 with 28 points in 63 games but faced challenges in 2024-25, possibly due to injury concerns that limited his offensive play. He thrives when actively disrupting opposing rushes and igniting counterattacks, showing the potential to be a standout two-way defenseman.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t fully capitalized on opportunities, especially while Gudas was sidelined, as Moore seemed to surpass him. This has placed Minchukov as the Ducks’ seventh-ranked defenseman this season.
Friedman notes that Verbeek will take his time before making any moves, but Minchukov’s trade value may decline as time goes on. At just 21 years old (soon turning 22), and being Verbeek’s first-ever draft pick, Minchukov still holds decent potential. If traded, he would join several other top picks from the 2022 draft who have been moved.
This situation could change with injuries or if Minchukov gets back into the lineup soon, as the Ducks prepare for their second consecutive game.
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Fan Take: This development highlights the intense competition and depth on the Ducks’ blue line, showcasing the challenges young players face in breaking into NHL lineups. For hockey fans, Minchukov’s potential trade could signal a shift in team dynamics and reflects the broader trend of how young talent is managed and valued in the league.
