u/CherokeeHawkman

Pavel Mintyukov has officially been signed to a contract by the Anaheim Ducks. GM Pat Verbeek finally did something before a guy missed all of training camp. Maybe he's actually learned a lesson in all of this. I hope so.

Good to have Mintyukov signed and in town for another five years. The Ducks homegrown defensive depth with him, LaCombe, Luneau, Solberg, Hinds, Warren and Smith will be the envy of the league for years to come.

Sorted by ice time in Game Six vs. Vegas:
John Carlson
Jacob Trouba
Olen Zellweger
Mason McTavish
Jeffrey Viel
Ross Johnston
Jansen Harkins

All of these guys played in Game Six against Vegas and all are either already gone or less than 48 hours away from free agency. The Ducks have added AJ Greer (if they can sign him) but a lot of depth from a team that was two games away from the Conference Final has left town so far.

Anxious to see what GM Pat Verbeek adds and which rookies step up in camp to take advantage of the roster spots that appear up for grabs.

Seemingly lost in the shuffle this offseason is Jeffrey Viel. I thought he was a great fit with the Ducks this past season and assumed he would be retained but here we are, about 60 hours from the start of free agency and he's still unsigned.

Through 64 career games before coming to Anaheim he had 3 goals and 5 points.
In 35 games with the Ducks he had 3 goals and 10 points.

Then, in the postseason, he proved himself as a playoff producer with a surprising four points (2G / 2A) in 12 games from a bottom six role.

He's big, he plays physical and he seems like a fit with the Ducks system. I'm surprised he hasn't already been re-signed and hope he doesn't leave on Wednesday. He seems like someone that would be affordable and as a known commodity with Coach Q's system it would seem like a no-brainer to re-up him for a few more years.

According to GM Pat Verbeek on the Light the Lamp show from June 26th, the Ducks view Anton Wahlberg as a potential top six forward!

>"He's a really interesting player. I think we see him as a potential second line player. He's a 6'3" winger that kind of possesses probably more of a playmaker than a goal scorer but we're hoping that his game really sets up well and he's able to...he's a big guy, 6'3", that skates well and is going to play more of, kind of a grinding game for us in a sense, using his size."

Full interview: https://youtu.be/AsimBw3joeE?si=R94e13h2xyxdCQK_&t=177

This is surprising to me. I viewed him as a depth piece for the bottom six but the Ducks apparently value the player and see him as a potential fit with Carlsson, Gauthier, Sennecke and McQueen in the Ducks top six of the future!

I know the show is 40 years old now but I didn't realize prices were that cheap back then! $2 gets you a hamburger, a large soda and change!

REVISED TO INCLUDE IAN MOORE!

The draft is complete and now we wait for free agency to begin. Trades or signings can happen at any time but, for now, here's what the Ducks have, defensively, under contract or in the system for 2026-27:

NHL Players Under Contract:
- Jackson LaCombe
- Drew Helleson
- Tristan Luneau
- Ian Moore

Moore, Helleson and Luneau are all RH shots and while it may be a stretch to call Luneau a NHL player he did play a game with the Ducks this season and has played at least one NHL game in each of the last three seasons. He's 22 and seems likely to get a long look at camp, if nothing else. LaCombe is one of the best defensemen in the league and we're lucky to have him.

NHL Players Under Team Control:
- Pavel Mintyukov
- Tyson Hinds

Both are LH shots and both are RFAs that need to be signed to new contracts. Mintyukov is a stud defenseman that got better as the season went along. Hinds is not a guarantee to make the roster but, like Luneau, he's certain to get a long look at camp, if nothing else.

AHL Players Under Contract:
- Stian Solberg
- Noah Warren
- Konnor Smith

Solberg we all know. He's the guy that every other team hopes their GM will trade to get and the guy we can't wait to see in the NHL. He played in the AHL last season, he played for Team Norway in the World Championships this spring and he looks (to me) ready for the NHL.

Noah Warren is a RH shot with size and was a 2nd round pick back in 2022, the same draft that brought the Ducks Mintyukov and Luneau and, FWIW, the first draft that Pat Verbeek ran as Ducks GM. These are his picks. We have not seen him in the NHL yet but he'll be 22 in camp this season and figures to get a chance to make the team - should be quite a battle between Luneau, Warren, Hinds and perhaps Smith as well. Smith was a 4th round pick in 2023 and split last year between the ECHL and AHL. Doubtful he makes the jump to the NHL this season but he's an option as well.

AHL Players Under Team Control:
- Jérémie Biakabutuka

I'd be surprised if we ever see him in the NHL. He's 24 and a RFA this summer. Probably either a Gulls player or not in the system.

Juniors Players:
- William Francis
- Tarin Smith
- Darels Ulianskis
- Lasse Boelius
- Anthony Allain-Samaké
- Alexis Mathieu
- Drew Schock
- Eric Frossard
- Jayden Kurtz

Obviously a lot of names there and a lot of potential for the future but for 2026-27, these guys are not going to be on the Ducks.

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Depth Chart as of now:

LaCombe / Moore
Mintyukov / Helleson
Solberg / Luneau
Scratch: Hinds

That's how I see it as we exit the draft. Let's see what GMPV adds to that in the days/weeks/months to come.

 

The draft is complete and now we wait for free agency to begin. Trades or signings can happen at any time but, for now, here's what the Ducks have, defensively, under contract or in the system for 2026-27:

NHL Players Under Contract:
- Jackson LaCombe
- Drew Helleson
- Tristan Luneau

Helleson and Luneau are both RH shots and while it may be a stretch to call Luneau a NHL player he did play a game with the Ducks this season and has played at least one NHL game in each of the last three seasons. He's 22 and seems likely to get a long look at camp, if nothing else. LaCombe is one of the best defensemen in the league and we're lucky to have him.

NHL Players Under Team Control:
- Pavel Mintyukov
- Tyson Hinds

Both are LH shots and both are RFAs that need to be signed to new contracts. Mintyukov is a stud defenseman that got better as the season went along. Hinds is not a guarantee to make the roster but, like Luneau, he's certain to get a long look at camp, if nothing else.

AHL Players Under Contract:
- Stian Solberg
- Noah Warren
- Konnor Smith

Solberg we all know. He's the guy that fans of every other team hopes their GM will trade to get and the guy we can't wait to see in the NHL. He played in the AHL last season, he played for Team Norway in the World Championships this spring and he looks (to me) ready for the NHL.

Noah Warren is a RH shot with size and was a 2nd round pick back in 2022, the same draft that brought the Ducks Mintyukov and Luneau and, FWIW, the first draft that Pat Verbeek ran as Ducks GM. These are his picks. We have not seen him in the NHL yet but he'll be 22 in camp this season and figures to get a chance to make the team - should be quite a battle between Solberg, Luneau, Warren, Hinds and perhaps Smith as well. Smith was a 4th round pick in 2023 and split last year between the ECHL and AHL. Doubtful he makes the jump to the NHL this season but he's an option as well.

AHL Players Under Team Control:
- Jérémie Biakabutuka
- Kyle Masters

I'd be surprised if we ever see him in the NHL. He's 24 and a RFA this summer. Probably either a Gulls player or not in the system. Masters we just acquired from the Hurricanes in the John Carlson trade and he's a 23-year old RFA who played in the ECHL last year. I'll be surprised if we ever see him in the NHL for the Ducks.

Juniors Players:
- William Francis
- Tarin Smith
- Darels Ulianskis
- Lasse Boelius
- Anthony Allain-Samaké
- Alexis Mathieu
- Drew Schock
- Eric Frossard
- Jayden Kurtz
- James Rieber

Obviously a lot of names there and a lot of potential for the future but for 2026-27, these guys are not going to be on the Ducks.

------------------

Depth Chart as of now:

LaCombe / Helleson
Mintyukov / Luneau
Hinds / Solberg
Scratch: Warren

That's how I see it as we exit the draft. Let's see what GMPV adds to that in the days/weeks/months to come.

After trading Mason McTavish the Ducks now have the second highest amount of cap space in the NHL with over $44 million available. Most of that will be spent re-signing Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Pavel Mintyukov but that should still give Ducks GM Pat Verbeek plenty of flexibility to add talent this summer.

Let's see what he does with that space.

I'm guessing this is the dreaded 12v battery brick and I need to get the car towed via flatbed truck?

Not only did the evil empire Vegas Golden Knights get eliminated but our boy Freddie Andersen gets his Stanley Cup. Good for him. Wish it was with the Ducks but man it's good to see him smiling and holding that trophy above his head.

Five coats of the Blackstone Seasoning & Cast Iron Conditioner and this little beauty is ready for action!

I got this Gunmetal beauty from QVC off their recent sale (that included shipping!) and it came with the following:
- 22" Pro Series griddle with hood and cabinet stand
- griddle cover
- two griddle spatulas
- two 16-oz water/oil bottles
- griddle scraper
- smash & sear press
- hamburger spatula
- small griddle scoop

Looking forward to the first cook later this week. Suggestions on best foods for first cook would be welcome!

Keep an eye out for more info on the Supergirl: Fan First Screenings that are now showing on some movie theater websites as taking place on June 24th. No tickets available yet but soon, my friends...soon.