Russia seems to have a new top defenceman on the rise. At 20 years old, he's already the leader of his NHL club

Mintyukov made a double in the match against Utah.

Not all Russian hockey players playing overseas are well known in our country. For example, 20-year-old Anaheim defenceman Pavel Mintyukov made his NHL debut last season and had a great regular season, scoring 28 (4+24) points in 63 games. However, Mintyukov left Russia before he reached the age of 17 and never played at the adult level.

Initially, it seemed that the defenceman, considered a super talent, was making a mistake - he went to the Ontario Junior League, which subsequently cancelled his season due to a coronavirus pandemic. But even missing an entire year didn't shake Mintyukov's quotes at the draft (he had a great pre-draft season), where he was selected No. 10 by Anaheim. Given his high draft pick, it's logical that the Ducks placed their bets on him and initially drafted him artificially, but Mintyukov earned his trust and earned a spot on the roster.

Seeing how the Russian defenceman is growing, Anaheim had no problem parting ways with Jamie Drysdale, who was drafted with the sixth pick. And already in his second season in the NHL, Mintyukov is becoming a real leader for the young Ducks. Pavel plays more than any other defenceman - in the first three games of the season he spent an average of 22 minutes and 43 seconds on the ice, and his overall utility rating was ‘+3’.
Mintyukov played his most impressive NHL game so far today against Utah. At the end of the second period, he found himself in the forward's spot in the left circle and hit the goal with a wrist shot, and in the third period he was helped by a ricochet and a ridiculous action by Utah goalie Ingram.

Anaheim eventually pulled the game out and won in overtime, but in any case, the Ducks are unlikely to be serious playoff contenders this season. Their time should come in two or three years, when the current young talent, of which there is plenty in the system, has gained power. Forwards Mactavish, Karlsson, Gauthier, Zegras, defencemen Luno, Lacombe and Zellweger, and goalie Dostal are the future of the club. Well, Mintyukov has already become its leader.