Ducks waive Rodwin Dionicio for purposes of contract termination

Dionicio began the 2024-25 season as a regular fixture in the Gulls’ lineup but gradually fell out of favor as the year progressed, ultimately skating in just three games during the month of December.

Following that, Dionicio was suspended by the AHL twice in January as a result of on-ice actions, resulting in absences of one and three games, respectively. Before he could serve the second suspension, the Ducks assigned Dionicio to the ECHL, and then to his native Switzerland.

Dionicio collected five goals and nine points in 24 games with San Diego before being sent home. He scored in each of his final two games with the Gulls, but it evidently wasn’t enough for the Ducks to keep him in the fold.

As it stands, the Ducks currently have 13 defensemen signed to NHL contracts for the 2025-26 season: Jacob Trouba, Radko Gudas, Drew Helleson, Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, Tristan Luneau, Olen Zellweger, Stian Solberg, Ian Moore, Noah Warren, Konnor Smith, Tyson Hinds, and Jeremie Biakabutuka. Adding in their contingent of players on AHL-only deals, it might’ve been difficult for Dionicio to crack the Gulls’ lineup again.

We’ll find out on Wednesday whether Dionicio clears unconditional waivers and is released from his current contract. It’s rare, but not unprecedented, for players to be claimed off unconditional waivers: Lucas Elvenes is one example, having gone from the Vegas Golden Knights to Anaheim in that manner back in 2022.