Ducks Assign Veteran Defenseman Jensen to AHL via Waivers
The Anaheim Ducks placed defenseman Nick Jensen on waivers for assignment to their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. The 36-year-old has recorded a goal and an assist in three games this season while averaging 15:20 of ice time. His placement on waivers may signal a return to form for injured defensemen Pavel Mintyukov and Ian Moore.
The Anaheim Ducks placed defenseman Nick Jensen on waivers on October 31, 2026, for assignment to their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. The 36-year-old, who signed a two-year, $2.25 million average annual value contract in July 2026, has recorded one goal and one assist in three NHL games this season while averaging 15:20 of ice time per game. His most recent appearance came in a 7-6 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, where he played 14:49 and registered an assist. The move follows reports from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and coincides with the return of injured defensemen Pavel Mintyukov and Ian Moore, who skated with the team on Saturday. Jensen was originally drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round (No. 150 overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft and played college hockey at St. Cloud State before turning pro in 2013–14. He made his NHL debut with Detroit in 2016, established himself as a reliable bottom-pairing defenseman, and later played for Washington, where he helped the team reach the playoffs five times. After being traded to Ottawa in 2024, Jensen was used primarily on the third pairing before becoming a free agent and signing with Anaheim. Over 11 seasons and 697 NHL games, he has accumulated 27 goals and 174 points, including 33 playoff appearances without a point.
The Ducks’ decision to place Jensen on waivers may signal a strategic shift in their defensive depth, potentially prioritizing younger or healthier players. With Mintyukov and Moore re
The move underscores the precarious balance between veteran experience and team-building flexibility in modern NHL front offices. Jensen’s assignment may reflect a broader trend where teams, especially those in transition, prioritize developing younger talent over maintaining established but underperforming veterans—particularly when health or depth issues arise. This decision could impact how free agents view contracts with teams that have limited long-term commitment to older players. The Ducks’ handling of Jensen might also influence how other franchises approach similar roster decisions, especially with aging defensemen on multi-year deals. A comparable case is the 2018 Boston Bruins trade of veteran defenseman Zdeno Chara, who was phased out as younger players emerged—though Chara remained a key figure until retirement. Here, Jensen’s situation may be less about performance and more about roster alignment during a rebuild or transition phase. What to watch for next is whether the