The Anaheim Ducks have signed restricted free agent defenceman Pavel Mintyukov to a five-year contract to stay in Orange Country, the team announced on Sunday.
Mintyukov, 22, had eight goals and 22 points in 73 games with the Anaheim Ducks last season while averaging 18:26 of ice-time.
He did not record a point in 12 playoff games while averaging 19:26 as the Ducks were eliminated in the second round.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reported on Nov. 21 that Mintyukov was unhappy with his role on the team after he was a healthy scratch for three straight games. However, his role increased as the season went on.
The 6-foot-1, left-shot defenceman is coming off his three-year, entry-level contract.
Drafted 10th overall by the Ducks in 2022, Mintyukov has 17 goals and 69 points in 204 career games.
The Moscow, Russia native was named the Most Outstanding Defenceman in the Ontario Hockey League during the 2022-23 campaign when he registered 24 goals and 88 points in 69 games split between the Saginaw Spirit and Ottawa 67’s.
Anaheim avoids Mintyukov signing an offer-sheet after star centre Leo Carlsson signed a five-year $90 million offer-sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. The deal makes Carlsson the highest paid player in the NHL with an annual cap hit of $18 million.
The Ducks have until July 10 to decide whether they will match the contract.