The Anaheim Ducks’ lineup will have a new face when they take on the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. After signing his entry-level contract (ELC) on Monday, former Western Michigan Bronco Tim Washe is expected to make his NHL debut, per NHL.com’s Jessi Pierce and Ducks Stream’s Alexis Downie.
Fresh off winning both the NCHC Championship and the NCAA Championsip as Western Michigan’s captain, Washe will slot into the Ducks’ fourth line. Who he plays with is still unclear, as he skated with Isac Lundeström, Jansen Harkins and Brett Leason during morning skate, per Downie.
Named the NCHC’s Best Defensive Forward for the 2024-25 season, Washe is a faceoff wizard. His prowess in the dot will aid the Ducks, who are dead-last in the league in faceoff percentage. Mason McTavish is the only regular faceoff taker with a faceoff percentage of 50 percent or higher.
Because of his age, Washe’s ELC only goes through the 2024-25 season, which means he will be a restricted free agent (RFA) at the end of this season. The allure of being able to get into an NHL lineup right away may have been a swaying point for coming to Anaheim, as many teams were rumored to be interested in the undrafted Washe’s services.
Like Washe, Lundeström is an RFA this summer. He has proven to be a reliable defensive forward and has been a staple on the penalty kill for the Ducks. However, his offensive ceiling is lacking. With players like Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry and Cutter Gauthier factoring into the penalty kill more often, Lundeström’s role could be squeezed out.
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