Ducks Lock Up Pavel Mintyukov with Five-Year Contract Extension

The Anaheim Ducks have made a significant move in securing their future by signing defenseman Pavel Mintyukov to a five-year contract extension. The 22-year-old Russian is not the restricted free agent that many fans may have had in mind, but his commitment is crucial for the team’s young defensive core.

Multiple insiders reported on Sunday that Mintyukov’s new deal carries an average annual value of $7.2 million, with the first year featuring a $3 million signing bonus. This extension not only solidifies the left side of the Ducks’ defense but also pairs Mintyukov with fellow defenseman Jackson LaCombe, who is already under a long-term contract.

Mintyukov was reportedly considering an offer sheet from an unidentified team, but his desire to remain with the Ducks prevailed. Following the trade of Olen Zellweger to the Buffalo Sabres during the first day of the 2026 NHL Draft, it became clear that Mintyukov had emerged as the frontrunner for the No. 2 spot on the left side of the defense behind LaCombe.

After two impressive seasons in the OHL, during which he was named the OHL Defenseman of the Year, Mintyukov has consistently hovered around the 20-point mark in each of his three NHL seasons. While his offensive contributions have not yet reached the heights the Ducks may have envisioned, his defensive game has shown marked improvement.

Although there is still work to be done in his retrievals within the defensive zone, Mintyukov has established himself as a strong rush defender, effectively disrupting opposing plays and excelling in transition. The Ducks could benefit from Mintyukov developing a style that complements LaCombe, balancing solid defensive play with occasional offensive contributions.

With Mintyukov now under contract, the Ducks find themselves with just under $10 million in projected cap space, according to PuckPedia. This figure also factors in Leo Carlsson’s five-year, $90 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers, which the Ducks must decide whether to match by July 10.

Another key restricted free agent, Cutter Gauthier, remains unsigned. AFP Analytics estimates that Gauthier could command a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $8.8 million or a three-year deal averaging $6.31 million. The potential implications of Gauthier’s contract could leave the Ducks with limited cap space, ranging from $1.5 to $3 million for additional player acquisitions this summer.

Fortunately for Anaheim, they stand to gain $14.95 million in cap relief next season when veterans Alex Killorn, Chris Kreider, and Ville Husso become unrestricted free agents. The Ducks also have some time before Calder Trophy finalist Beckett Sennecke is eligible for an extension, and by then, the contracts of Mikael Granlund and Frank Vatrano will also be off the books.

While projections can vary, the possibility of Gauthier’s contract exceeding estimates could place the Ducks in a challenging position, one of the tightest since Pat Verbeek took over as general manager in 2022. The situation surrounding Carlsson’s offer sheet could also change the landscape if it remains unmatched, although such a scenario seems unlikely.

With Mintyukov officially signed, Ducks fans are now left eagerly anticipating Verbeek’s next moves concerning both Carlsson and Gauthier in the coming week.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.