Countdown to the 2025-26 NHL Season
The countdown to the 2025-26 NHL regular season is winding down with just a week remaining, and the Anaheim Ducks are finalizing their roster. They recently secured Mason McTavish on a six-year deal, solidifying their top-nine forwards and bringing clarity to their lineup.
Roster Overview
The team’s fourth line will likely feature players such as Jansen Harkins, when healthy, along with Ross Johnston, Ryan Poehling, Nikita Nesterenko, and Sam Colangelo, with these players also expected to fill roles as healthy scratches.
Goaltending Situation
In goal, the Ducks are well stocked. Lukas Dostal is firmly positioned as the starting goaltender, with Petr Mrazek expected to function as his backup, while Ville Husso may also be in contention for that spot.
Defensive Lineup
The defensive setup looks similarly robust as the opening night lineup of defensemen appears almost finalized, barring any injuries. The challenge now is determining who will take on the role of the seventh defenseman. After the latest roster cuts on Sunday, the Ducks have retained ten defensemen in training camp: Jackson LaCombe, Radko Gudas, Olen Zellweger, Jacob Trouba, Pavel Mintyukov, Drew Helleson, Stian Solberg, Tristan Luneau, Tyson Hinds, and Ian Moore. Among these, the initial six appear to have their places secured, leading to speculation that one from the remaining four could fill the seventh slot.
The Ducks may also consider beginning the season with a roster of 14 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goalies, which could affect this decision.
Player Highlights
Following a recent victory against the San Jose Sharks, Tyson Hinds has emerged as a top contender for the additional defensive position. In the Ducks’ 3-2 preseason win, Hinds demonstrated his capabilities by logging 16:41 of ice time with over three minutes dedicated to penalty killing, in addition to providing a remarkable assist on Frank Vatrano’s decisive goal.
“We like what we’re seeing,” commented head coach Joel Quenneville. “He’s steady on the back end and has a high level of play recognition. His performance has opened eyes and enhanced his standing in the team’s evaluations.”
Hinds, a 22-year-old defenseman, is proving himself during this exhibition season with a goal and two assists over three games. His commitment to showcasing his defensive talents and offensive skills has contributed positively to the Ducks’ game transitions.
“I’m just trying to prove my game, prove that I have a spot on the team,” Hinds stated after the game.
Prospects to Watch
In terms of prospects, both Tristan Luneau and Stian Solberg are noteworthy names in the Ducks’ organization. Luneau made a significant impact in his rookie AHL season, nearly achieving a point-per-game average, while Solberg’s experience playing against seasoned opponents in Europe could translate well in the NHL. However, both may benefit from consistent minutes in the AHL instead of being benched.
Ian Moore falls into a similar category, as he is still early in his professional career, having played only 12 games combined between the NHL and AHL.
Looking Ahead
Having been selected in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Hinds has seasoned his skills over two years with the Gulls, collecting 28 points in 142 games and contributing defensively. He appears ready to seize the opportunity as the Ducks’ seventh defenseman to start the 2025-26 season, aiming for sporadic appearances while establishing reliability as the team aims for a playoff run in 2026.
Ducks management has expressed satisfaction with McTavish’s new contract, reflecting positive moves in their roster planning for the upcoming season.
