The Anaheim Ducks completed the signing of all of their restricted free agents on Monday (July 15), inking deals with defenceman Jackson Lacombe and forward Nikita Nesterenko. This is a stark contrast to last offseason, when contract negotiations with Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale dragged on into early October. Rumors are still circulating that unrestricted free agent-to-be Frank Vatrano and third overall pick Beckett Senneke have been invited to play for Canada in the upcoming 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase.
Ducks agree to deals with Lacombe and Nesterenko
Jackson Lacombe signed a two-year, $1.85 million contract with the Ducks after completing his entry-level contract. During the 2023-24 season, he played in 71 games, recording two goals, 15 assists, 55 shots, 129 blocks and 50 hits. His average ice time per game was 19 minutes, 23 seconds, fourth on the team. Lacombe was paired with Cam Fowler and Radko Gudas for most of the season. Lacombe, a left-handed player, struggled when playing on the right side with Fowler, especially in the defensive zone.
The Ducks have a lot of left-handed players heading into the 2024-25 season, so there will likely be more players on the blue line playing offside, and Lacombe could be one of them again. He may also see more defensive playing time on the third pairing. There will be a lot of competition for blue line positions during training camp. Lacombe has already been working hard this summer in his home state of Minnesota, playing in the Da Beauty League, hoping to get off to a good start.
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Nikita Nesterenko signed a qualifying offer that will pay him $874,125 if he plays in the NHL in 2024-25. He will earn $70,000 at the American Hockey League (AHL) level. Nesterenko appeared in 70 games with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL last season, scoring 16 goals and 37 points. The 22-year-old forward will appear in three games with the Ducks in 2023-24, recording one goal, seven shots and seven hits.
Nesterenko likely won't make the NHL roster after training camp but could be one of the first players called up from the minor leagues. He has appeared in 12 games with the Ducks over the past two seasons since being acquired from the Minnesota Wild on March 3, 2023, scoring two goals.
Rangers reconsidering Vatrano trade?
The New York Rangers were interested in acquiring Vatrano from the Ducks before the 2024 trade deadline, but the high asking price led the Rangers to look elsewhere for a forward addition. New York reporter Vincent Z. Mercogliano believes the Rangers may make another try to find common ground with the Ducks (from “Are the Rangers Done? 5 Thoughts on a Suddenly Quiet Offseason”). Rockland/Westchester Journal-News(July 9, 2024)
Mercogliano noted Anaheim general manager Pat Birbeck could wait until the 2025 trade deadline to launch a bidding war for Vatrano. The Rangers only have five picks total in the first four rounds of the next three drafts, but the team has a first-round pick in each year. With the roster quickly clearing, general manager Chris Drury may have to get creative to make a trade for an impact player like Vatrano.
Hockey Canada invites Senneke to WJSS
Beckett Senneke was one of 42 players selected to play for Canada in the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase. They will compete against top prospects from the United States, Sweden and Finland at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan from July 26 to August 3. Senneke recorded 27 goals and 41 assists in 63 games with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the 2023-24 season. He also recorded 10 goals and 22 points in 16 playoff games.
The minicamp and games will serve as a stepping stone for the Sennekes to potentially represent Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, which will be held from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Ottawa, Ontario.
Comtois joins the KHL
Max Comtois signed a one-year contract with Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on Thursday (July 18). The 25-year-old forward appeared in 65 games with the AHL's Chicago Wolves in the 2023-24 season, recording 19 goals, 44 points and 109 penalty minutes. He also recorded one assist in one regular season game with the Carolina Hurricanes last season and appeared in one playoff game against the Rangers.
Comtois was selected in the second round (50th overall) by the Ducks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. During the 2020-21 season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Comtois played in 55 games and was the Ducks' scoring leader with 16 goals and 33 points. However, the once-promising forward has struggled since then, plagued by injuries and a thin roster. He was released by the team and has struggled to break into the NHL lineup since then. He will look to revive his career overseas before returning to North America.
