Montreal Canadiens emerge as a rumored landing spot for Pavel Mintyukov
The Philadelphia Flyers shook up the NHL with their monster offer sheet for Leo Carlsson, but he might not be the only Anaheim Ducks player getting an offer sheet. It is rumored that defenseman Pavel Mintyukov is considering a few offer sheets, and one of them was from the Montreal Canadiens.
According to David Pagnotta with The Fourth Period, the Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes are two of the teams rumored to have interest. It would appear that all options are on the table as Pagnotta notes. Mintyukov and the Ducks have begun discussing a new contract, but Anaheim is also considering trading him.
Montreal Canadiens could add Pavel Mintyukov but would need to make additional moves
For the Montreal Canadiens, they have been relatively quiet this offseason, but adding Pavel Mintyukov doesn’t make a great deal of sense based on how the roster is currently constructed. The Canadiens really need a right-handed defenseman, but Mintyukov is left-handed.
The former first-round pick has three seasons in the NHL with 204 games and 69 points during that time, while averaging over 18 minutes of ice time per game. He certainly would be an upgrade for the Canadiens, but there likely would have to be other moves on the blue line to get a deal done.
They currently have six players under contract already for next season, and Arber Xhekaj is a restricted free agent. While the Canadiens could extend an offer sheet, the more likely path for them is in a trade with the Ducks for the restricted free agent and then sign him to a new contract.
In that scenario, the Canadiens probably would offer a package that includes Jayden Struble and other pieces, maybe Kirby Dach, and picks.
The Canadiens would then be able to pair Mintyukov with either Lane Hutson or Noah Dobson and solidify one of their Top 2 pairs on their blueline. On the surface, it doesn’t make sense for the Canadiens to pursue the Ducks’ defenseman, but with a few other moves, it could clear a path that strengthens their blueline entering next season.
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