Ducks Expecting Debut for First-Round Pick Against Vegas

He's also one of three very young blueliners expected to play with Jackson LaCombe and Jamie Drysdale joining him on defense.

Meaningful Anaheim Ducks hockey is almost back! On Saturday the Ducks will travel to Las Vegas to take on the Golden Knights and are expecting an NHL debut for a former first-round pick.

Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov is penciled onto the third pair with veteran compatriot Ilya Lyubushkin for his first career game.

Mintyukov is a highly skilled, mobile two-way defender whom the Ducks drafted 10 overall in 2022.

This is a good pairing for Mintyukov. Lyubushkin is an experienced pro who can stay at home and clean up the inevitable mistakes Mintyukov makes.

Lyubushkin is also a very physical player which never hurts to have next to someone so young.

Mintyukov injects a hefty dose of skill onto a blue line that looks much better than it did at this time last season. Or at least more entertaining.

He's also one of three very young blueliners expected to play with Jackson LaCombe and Jamie Drysdale joining him on defense.

As always with young players, and especially with Mintyukov and LaCombe, there will be mistakes and goals scored off said mistakes. But the trade-off is crucial development time and a few high-end plays along the way.

Mintyukov has the skill to step right into the NHL without looking out of place and will face a big test in game one against the Knights.

Sometimes being thrown right into the fire is a good thing though. Mintyukov will see the best of the best from day one and can work from there.

One thing that will be interesting is how much power-play time Mintyukov sees. He's a good puck mover with an excellent shot and could help a power play that finished 31st last season.

It's important to not set expectations too high, or put too much pressure on a 19-year-old defenseman. But Mintyukov can rise to the occasion.