IRVINE, Calif. – Saturday was a busy small information day across the Anaheim Geese.
> for the Geese tonight towards the Ottawa Senators forward of a wholesome Lukáš Dostál and Ville Husso, Saturday’s observe at Nice Park ice noticed a handful of returns to the ice for Pavel Mintyukov, Troy Terry and Ian Moore and the departures, for now, of Nick Jensen and Nikita Klepov.
Right here’s a run via the the observe pocket book detailing the Geese’ personnel strikes:
Pavel Mintyukov Elevated Off Injured Reserve
First and most pertinent, Pavel Mintyukov was within the common line rushes on Saturday and was introduced off injured reserve from his lower-body damage.
Mintyukov was Oct. 20 on Lengthy Island and has missed the final 4 video games. He will likely be paired with Noah Warren on the blue line towards Ottawa on Sunday.
The 22-year-old Russian has averaged over 18 minutes per sport and is third amongst Geese defensemen in anticipated purpose share at five-on-five, with Anaheim incomes 51.15% xGF with Mintyukov on the ice.
Troy Terry, Ian Moore Return to Observe After Season-Lengthy Absence
Second, and perhaps the most important wanted morale enhance the Geese may use proper now, was the return of their longest-tenured participant in Troy Terry and far wanted assistance on the blue line in Ian Moore.
Terry underwent hip surgical procedure in June for a continual hip impingement and labral tear and initially had a restoration timeline stretching into late November or early December.
Now, Terry skated in his first full observe with the group and is only a week or so away from his season debut, in accordance with Joel Quenneville. Terry stays on long-term injured reserve, which supplies the Geese almost $4 million in wage cap reduction.
“It was simply enjoyable to be again with the blokes and really feel like a part of the group once more,” Terry mentioned, “and attempt to take the puck from me. I’ve been skating on my own for a very long time… Nonetheless working in the direction of it.”
Terry has been across the Geese facility for the reason that starting of coaching camp and will typically be seen catching bits of observe from the opposite facet of the glass. After battling via his damage so long as he did final season, he’s excited to be again with the group.
“It’s onerous. It’s onerous to not begin the yr too,” Terry mentioned. “You simply really feel very a lot eliminated. It’s onerous to not be across the guys… Simply attempting to assist the place I can. We do have a younger group, so simply attempting to be there.”
Moore was on the ice for the primary day of coaching camp, however inside minutes of the primary on-ice session, the 24-year-old was out with a lower-body damage.
“It was irritating,” Moore mentioned. All of the skates in the summertime, you construct up and also you’re so excited to be on the market, then that occurs.”
For a Geese blue line that’s presently skating with three or 4 rookies on any given night time, Moore’s expertise from final season’s run will likely be helpful.
“It felt nice,” Moore mentioned. “It’s been enjoyable watching them, however clearly you wish to be on the market. It’s simply superior to be on the market with the blokes and really feel a bit extra regular once more.”
Moore is additional away than Terry is, per Quenneville, and stays on injured reserve.
Nick Jensen Clears Waivers, Assigned to AHL San Diego
In an offseason that lacked in free agent additions for the Geese, Jensen was seemingly probably the most key signing normal supervisor Pat Verbeek made on July 1.
With Anaheim shedding everything of its veteran right-handed protection corps in Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba and John Carlson, the 34-year-old blue liner was slated to be the skilled hand, with Jackson LaCombe the following oldest common blueliner at simply 25 years outdated.
Nonetheless, Jensen suffered a minor lower-body damage in coaching camp and seemingly by no means received totally built-in to the Geese blue line.
Jensen didn’t make his Anaheim debut till the eighth sport of the season on Oct. 19, and with simply 4 video games below his belt with the Geese, he was placed on waivers on Saturday and cleared on Sunday to be despatched to the minors.
“He hasn’t performed in a very long time there final yr going again to that,” Quenneville mentioned referring to a hip surgical procedure within the 2025 offseason and a meniscus surgical procedure in March. “Coming into camp didn’t play a lot (after the lower-body damage). Get him taking part in. I believe that’s going to assist his sport.”
Jensen signed a two-year cope with a $2.5 million per season worth, and within the AHL, he retains a $1.025 million hit on the Geese wage cap.
Nikita Klepov Returns to Juniors
Anaheim’s 2026 first-round decide–one in every of two acquired within the Mason McTavish commerce–made a splash when he signed his entry-level contract and left earlier than the varsity yr even started at Michigan State.
Nikita Klepov did so with the chance to make a skinny Geese roster and presumably make an affect. When he was drafted Verbeek mentioned the 18-year-old could possibly be on a fast-track to the NHL and seemingly was, making the Geese opening night time roster.
“I believe he’s going to be a very good participant,” Quenneville mentioned. “We preferred what we noticed in him. He must play hockey. It’s an enormous leap. There’s numerous vibrant facet to him.”
Nonetheless, regardless of shining with talent gamers within the preseason, Klepov was sheltered within the common season and performed sparingly in simply 4 NHL video games. After sitting out the Geese’ final three contests, Klepov was despatched again to OHL Saginaw to play the remainder of the season. (He was ineligible to return to school after signing his professional contract.)
“The extra he’s going to play, it’s solely going so as to add to his resume as he’s going to progressively develop shortly,” Quenneville mentioned. “This can be a good expertise for him, and he can apply that in juniors.”
In 4 video games, Klepov averaged over 13 minutes per night time and didn’t report some extent. Final season in Saginaw, Klepov led the OHL in scoring with 97 factors in 67 video games.
