Anaheim Ducks’ 2025-26 Defenseman Rating – Hockey Writers –

As the Anaheim Ducks’ magical season comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the past, learn from the season, and decide how to move forward into the 2026-27 season and be successful. The team had an amazing season that led to two playoffs thanks to a new coaching staff and a well-rounded roster.

A big part of their success came from their defense, who showed up game after game to help their team win. Let’s take a brief look at each of their performances and give them a grade. Who will come out on top, and who needs to be done before the start of next season?

John Carlson – A

Veteran defensive end John Carlson had a short but impressive stint with the Ducks. He was acquired at the trade deadline, so he played 16 regular season games. However, he proved to be the two-way defenseman he is known to be, scoring 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in Anaheim. He finished with a plus-9 rating and was also important on the power play, where he scored two goals and dished out three assists.

He also stepped up in the playoffs, with six points in 12 games, all unassisted. Without his contributions offensively and defensively, the Ducks may not have achieved the same level of postseason success. Carlson is a master of NHL defense — protecting the puck, blocking shots, and contributing to the offensive effort all at the same time.

Since Carlson is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), we don’t know where he could sign this offseason, but it would be nice to see him in the Ducks’ orange for another season.

Drew Helleson – D

Drew Helleson had a remarkably bad season, to put it bluntly. He struggled to protect the puck, get or keep possession, and didn’t contribute much offensively. In 60 regular season games, he had 15 points and a minus-4 average. His defensive efforts don’t speak for themselves, either. He doesn’t bring a high level of physicality to the ice, and had 43 assists in the regular season.

Due to his good performance, he played only eight games, where he had only one assist. There was a lack of improvement from last season, too. The Ducks may be better off without Helleson if he doesn’t show significant growth and development. A linebacker, like newly signed Stian Solberg, might fit his role better next season.

Radko Gudas – D

The captain of this team also had a difficult season. He only played 56 games due to a combination of injury and suspension. He is an aging player, and at 35 years old, his time in the league may be coming to an end. While he knows how to use size and physicality to his advantage, the blueliner struggles to keep him in check.

In particular, he injured Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews with a knee strike, and was suspended for five games. His foul shots have always been a source of trouble for him, often landing him in the penalty box. This season has been no different – he’s totaled 67 penalty minutes, though that’s his lowest total in Anaheim.

Radko Gudas struggles with puck control and offense as well. He is a slow skater and lacks the two-way game that is so desirable for NHL defensemen in today’s game. He had just 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) this season and played one playoff game due to injury. Gudas isn’t contributing anything to the team, and the Ducks can afford to release him as a UFA this offseason.

Jackson LaCombe – A

Jackson LaCombe has been a key member of the blue line for three seasons now, showing consistent growth year after year and exploding in success this season. He finished the regular season with 10 goals and 48 assists for 58 points, fifth on his team. His offensive performance even surpassed that of top players such as Troy Terry and Chris Kreider. In the playoffs, he had 10 points in 12 games and was an outstanding defender.

In addition to his offensive success, LaCombe is a solid defender. He had 128 blocked shots and 74 hits this season. He could use some work on his puck control, as he allowed 110 turnovers, yet only had 52 possessions. If he can fine-tune and strengthen that aspect of his game, he could be the best defender in the league next season.

Pavel Mintyukov – C

Pavel Mintyukov isn’t the best defenseman on the team, and he isn’t the worst. He sits in the middle of the pack in terms of his performance this season. He had 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 73 games and finished with 3 shutouts. At 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds, he’s a big, physical force on the ice and blocked 112 shots. He can work in scouting and hitting, as he registered 39 hits despite his size. He allowed 66 takeaways and struggled a bit with puck control.

His performance seemed to be worse in the playoffs, where he had no points despite playing all 12 games. He hasn’t made any meaningful appearances and has often been a negative contributor to the team’s postseason. He finished with a minus-5. Mintyukov was supposed to be a breakout star when he was drafted in 2022, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations. There is work to be done for him to rise to the top before next season.

Ian Moore – C-

We can give Ian Moore a little favor, as the blueliner was his rookie season. He looks promising from the back end, where he posted 42 hits and blocked 80 shots. He is a strong skater and has a big body, but needs some work on his two-way game. Moore posted 12 points in 67 regular season games and one goal in 10 playoff games. He will need more development to become a top defender, but the basics are there.

Jacob Trouba – A

Jacob Trouba was the Ducks second best defenseman this season with 10 goals and 25 assists in 81 games. He’s a 12-year NHL veteran, but his performance isn’t faltering yet. In fact, he had his best offensive showing since 2021-22 and increased his points from 14 in 2024-25 to 35 in 2025-26. He was less successful in the playoffs, with just one goal in 12 games.

At 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, Trouba is a force to be reckoned with. He puts heavy hits on opponents – 143, to be exact – and knows how to use his body to defend effectively. He blocked 149 shots this season. He has a history of being a great defender. In his best season, 2018-19, he had 50 points. If he can get back to that level of offense next season (à la his teammate, LaCombe), Trouba will be a league star.

His presence at the Ducks is highly regarded, and he will continue to be a valuable member of the team next season if he is re-signed. He’s a pending UFA, so he can go anywhere for the right price. However, he expressed satisfaction in Anaheim and proved himself worthy of a stay. Hopefully general manager Pat Verbeek will lock him up this offseason.

Olen Zellweger – C

Olen Zellweger is a good matchup to Mintyukov – a mid-range, young defenseman who could use some improvement. He has the same points, 22, which he achieved with seven goals and 15 assists. However, he played 76 games, so he had lower points per game than his teammates. He only played in three playoff games, but scored two points. He didn’t get the ice time he wanted, but he gave up when he agreed.

What makes Zellweger stand out is his aggressive effort. Even if he doesn’t get his name on the score sheet at the end of the game, he uses his playmaking skills and skating to annoy his teammates. The Ducks even offered him a chance to play on the wing late in the season because of his penchant for offense. Zellweger has a chance to prove himself as a valuable two-way defender; he just needs to step up and change his efforts more often to keep his place on the list.

Each of these players has their own strengths and weaknesses, and each has made a difference this season. With the free agency period approaching in just a few weeks, it will be interesting to see how the back end looks heading into the 2026-27 season. We can expect to see staples like LaCombe return, but others hang in the balance based on their performance and contract situations. The free center starts on July 1.