Mintyukov most likely, but they have so many good young D so it could be someone else too.

Their*

We have one of if not the most stacked defensive prospect pools in the league, that’s why Jamie was moved

we offer Barron and our 2 2025 1st for Gauthier

In addition to what was said, they will likely have the opportunity to draft a highly touted RHD in the upcoming draft that is a TWD.

This is a great point. Prior to the trade the Ducks were really in a spot where they should draft a winger above all else. This trade removes that necessity and will allow them to draft BPA (as you always should in the NHL).

As to the original question, Drysdale became available because of how much Luneau has impressed Verbeek. I said it in a conversation over the summer with someone on here about Zellweger not being a prototypical "Verbeek defenseman". He though that would eventually lead to Zellweger getting traded. My reply was all those same things could be said about Drysdale. Smaller guy, Bob Murray draft pick and so on.

Not a big shocker that this trade had a guy 5'11" going out of Anaheim and one that is 6'3" coming in.

And Gauthier apparently, like Carlsson, is still growing.