The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday, December 2, ending a seven-game losing streak.
However, it came at the expense of Mason McTavish, who has been a vital player for the team during the first two months of the 2023–24 season. In this edition of Ducks News and Rumors, we’ll discuss the most recent developments regarding the Ducks’ accumulating injury list, a few prospects who may represent their nations in the 2024 World Junior Championship, and the likelihood of an Ilya Lyubushkin trade.
Ducks Lose Jones and McTavish, Their Forwards
Josh Manson, an Avalanche defender, hit McTavish in the opening period, causing an upper-body injury. He was unable to rejoin the fight and was unable to attend the rematch in Colorado on Tuesday, December 5. Given that McTavish did not travel with the team, it is probable that he will not start for the Hawks on Thursday, December 7. In that scenario, McTavish’s next opportunity to play will come on Sunday, December 10, when the Ducks play their home game against the Winnipeg Jets. But a precise return date for McTavish has not been given.
It will be challenging for the Ducks to replace McTavish. With 24 games played, 63 shots on goal, 21 points, and 10 goals, he is second on the team. With three game-winning goals, he is also tied with Frank Vatrano for the team lead. McTavish is also the team’s best faceoff man, winning 192 of 337 puck drops for a 57.0% success percentage.
In Tuesday’s 3-2 Avalanche loss, Ryan Strome moved to center between Vatrano and Jakob Silfverberg. During the competition, the trio was mainly undetectable, particularly in even-strength scenarios. The Ducks’ lack of depth scoring could worsen if McTavish’s injury persists for some time. This will increase the pressure on Alex Killorn, Troy Terry, and Leo Carlsson to perform well at 5-on-5.
Max Jones’ injury during Monday’s loss was another blow to the Ducks’ bottom-six forward group. After Logan O’Connor objected to a hit that Jones delivered to Bowen Byram, who also left the game with an upper-body injury, he suffered an upper-body injury. Jones might have suffered injuries from O’Connor’s retaliation or from the collision with Byram. In 22 games this season, the 25-year-old Jones has three goals, three assists, 34 shots on goal, and 45 hits. He did not provide an update on his status after the game, so it is currently unknown if he will be able to play against the Blackhawks. Ross Johnston might return to the starting lineup if Jones is declared out.
The lower-body injuries sustained by Jamie Drysdale, who hasn’t played since October 15 against the Carolina Hurricanes, and Trevor Zegras, who hasn’t played since Nov. 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, have already created an excessive amount of uncertainty. Isac Lundestrom, a teammate who has been sidelined since January due to an Achilles tendon tear, has been skating with Zegras and Drysdale. Because Zegras and Drysdale’s recoveries have been so complicated, it is still unclear when they will be able to return.
Ducks’ World Junior Championship Hopefuls
The Gothenburg, Sweden, 2024 World Junior Championship is rapidly approaching! A few Ducks prospects are competing for spots as teams start to reveal their preliminary rosters. Switzerland may field Rodwin Dionicio, who was selected in the fifth round (129th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. In 24 games this season between the Windsor Spitfires and the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the 19-year-old blueliner has 10 goals and 28 points. Carey Terrance, a 2023 second-round selection (59th overall), was added to the United States’ preliminary roster. Throughout 26 games this season, he has scored 20 goals and accrued 32 points for the OHL’s Erie Otters.
Noah Warren and Tristan Luneau received invitations to Canada’s selection camp. A second-round selection (42nd overall) in 2022, Warren has contributed two goals and two assists in 19 games for the Victoriaville Tigres in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2023–24. Luneau, who was selected 53rd overall in the second round of the 2022 Draft, has split time this season between the American Hockey League’s Ducks and San Diego Gulls.
Lyubushkin Trade Speculation
Lately, trade rumors have mentioned Lyubushkin’s name. Insider Darren Dreger discussed a potential reunion with the Toronto Maple Leafs on a segment of TSN Hockey: Thus, Chris Tanev of the Calgary Flames is among the names I have identified. Ilya Lyubushkin, who was formerly with the Toronto Maple Leafs, is currently in Anaheim. Sean Walker, the unsung hero, is he? He plays right-shot defense for the Philadelphia Flyers and is 5 feet 11 inches tall. And last but not least is Columbus Blue Jackets player Andrew Peeke. His name has been known for an extremely long time. Therefore, Treliving has options, which he is undoubtedly considering at this time.
Although Lyubushkin would be a good fit, the Maple Leafs might not need a right-handed defender. The Leafs felt that it would be a dubious decision to bring back Lyubushkin. His previous stint with the team wasn’t exactly successful, particularly in the playoffs when he averaged just 13:55 of ice time per game and received 18 penalty minutes in seven games. They would probably prefer to acquire a rearguard because they can absorb playing time and provide a more steady defensive presence.
Moving Lyubushkin makes a lot of sense from the Ducks’ perspective because it’s highly likely that he won’t fit into the team’s future plans. After the 2023–24 season, the 29-year-old blueliner is qualified to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA). Other teams should be drawn to his tough style, and the Ducks can use their cap space to their advantage by keeping salary in the trade to obtain a higher return. Dealing Lyubushkin would also allow Olen Zellweger, Tyson Hinds, or Luneau to take up a spot on the roster in the back end. But a Lyubushkin move might wait until closer to the March 8 trade deadline.
Ducks May One Day Be Available for Business
If the Ducks decide to go into sale mode, they have a ton of trade options. Pat Verbeek, the general manager, has a history of moving players around. If the majority, if not all, of the pending UFAs were to be moved, it would not be shocking. That includes people like Sam Carrick, Adam Henrique, Silfverberg, and Lyubushkin.
John Gibson and Cam Fowler, two players whose names have been floated in trade rumors for years, may find themselves back in the mix. Vatrano is signed through 2024–25, but the Ducks may choose to sell him high after he was linked to trade rumors the previous season. Most of these players aren’t the subject of many rumors just yet, but that will most likely change in the upcoming months.