Ducks Sign Tyson Hinds To Two-Year Deal

Although it’s no longer top of mind due to other circumstances, it was always going to be crucial for the Anaheim Ducks to address their defensive depth for the 2026-27 season. They’ve taken another step toward that goal, announcing a two-year, $1.8MM ($900K AAV) contract for Tyson Hinds. Anaheim also confirmed that it’ll be a one-way deal in both years of the contract.

Hinds, 23, was drafted with the 76th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft by the Ducks. He began his junior career with the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes, was traded to the Rimouski Océanic during the 2020-21 campaign, and concluded his QMJHL career with the Sherbrooke Phoenix. Throughout his final season with the Phoenix, Hinds scored 11 goals and 54 points in 56 games, achieving a +61 rating, far and away his best season at the junior level.

Unfortunately, in the professional ranks, Hinds hasn’t gotten close to that offensive ceiling. Throughout his first season with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls in the 2023-24 campaign, Hinds finished with two goals and 10 points in 71 games with a -8 rating. He finished with a similar line in his next season, registering four goals and 18 points in 71 games with a -9 rating.

Fortunately, he appears to have taken a step forward in his development, and that’s evidenced by the Ducks committing to him a one-way contract for the next two years. Hinds scored five goals and 19 points in 62 AHL games this past season, with a much-improved +16 rating. Additionally, he debuted with Anaheim, going scoreless in six games while averaging 15:37 of ice time.

He didn’t have enough appearances to make an accurate judgment call on how his time in the NHL will be, but he had solid defensive metrics throughout his brief time with the Ducks and showed a willingness to engage physically. Given how the roster is currently constructed, Hinds will likely be the team’s seventh defenseman on the opening night roster, or could find a role on the team’s bottom pairing if Anaheim wants to move Ian Moore to the right side.