Ducks pick Pavel Mintyukov 10th overall

The Anaheim Ducks selected Pavel Mintyukov with the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Pavel Mintyukov

Position: Defenseman
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 194 lbs
Age: 18
Club: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Nationality: Russian

(Stats source: EliteProspects.com)

Mintyukov flourished for the Spirit in his first OHL season. The Moscow-born blue-liner impressed from an offensive standpoint as he led Saginaw in assists and points during the 2021-22 campaign.

He made the jump to North America after playing for Dynamo Moscow at various junior levels for several years.

Mintyukov was the highest-ranked North America-based defenseman on NHL Central Scouting's midterm and final lists, though he slid from fifth to sixth among all of the continent's skaters.

He wasn't in the same tier as Europe-based rearguards Simon Nemec or David Jiricek in most scouts' projections, but many expected Mintyukov to be chosen between picks Nos. 10 and 20.

What they're saying

"Mintyukov is an exciting defenseman," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote in late May. "He plays with pace and is aggressive as a rusher. His skating allows him to evade pressure easily and transition pucks up ice with his feet. Mintyukov is also highly skilled and can make plays through legs and sticks. He shows good offensive IQ, knowing when to activate and how to make plays with the puck."

Pronman added Mintyukov is solid defensively, though he can be "a little too aggressive at times trying to create offense when he leaves his defensive position."

"(He's) a high-risk player with excellent offensive instincts," wrote Sportsnet's Sam Cosentino in June. "Applying some of those gifts on the defensive side is a work in progress."

"Mintyukov is an adept three-zone player whose game tilts towards offensive through his eagerness to engage in transition and off the offensive zone blue line," The Athletic's Scott Wheeler wrote. "When he's looking to be active, he can involve himself in all areas of the game."

Tap here to watch some of Mintyukov's highlights.