The Anaheim Ducks are making a move between the pipes.
With Lukas Dostal heading to Injured Reserve, the Ducks have recalled goaltender Vyacheslav Buteyets from the San Diego Gulls, their AHL affiliate. It’s a notable step for the 23-year-old netminder, who’s been quietly climbing the ranks since being selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Buteyets has split his time this season between the Gulls and the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers, putting together a combined 5-5-0 record across 10 appearances. His numbers with San Diego-1-2-0 with a 3.72 goals-against average and a .878 save percentage-don’t jump off the page, but there’s more to the story.
On November 26, he picked up his first career AHL win in impressive fashion, stopping 39 of 42 shots in a road game against Tucson. That kind of performance shows flashes of what he could bring to the NHL stage.
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Buteyets brings the kind of size NHL teams covet in the crease. He began the season with Tulsa, where he looked sharp: a 4-3-0 record, a 2.81 GAA, and a .924 save percentage over seven games.
That’s a strong showing in a league known for its high shot volume and unpredictable pace. It builds on a solid 2024-25 campaign with the Oilers, where he logged 36 games, going 19-13-3 with four shutouts.
Those four shutouts tied him for fourth in the ECHL last season-a stat that speaks to his ability to lock things down when he’s in rhythm.
He also got a taste of postseason action, appearing in five Kelly Cup Playoff games and posting a 2-3-0 record with a 3.03 GAA and .906 SV%. Those are respectable numbers for a young goaltender getting his first taste of playoff pressure in North America.
Before making the jump overseas, Buteyets developed in Russia, where he played in both the KHL and the VHL. He made his KHL debut in 2023-24 with Traktor Chelyabinsk, appearing in one game at the top level.
But it was in the VHL-Russia’s second-tier pro league-where he really found his footing. Over three seasons with Chelmet Chelyabinsk, he racked up 81 games, going 40-32-6 with four shutouts, a 2.36 GAA, and a .923 SV%.
Now, he’s getting a shot at the NHL level, and while it remains to be seen how much ice time he’ll see behind John Gibson, the call-up is a clear sign that the Ducks see potential in the young Russian. It’s a big moment for Buteyets, and a chance to show that his path-from the VHL to the ECHL to the AHL-has prepared him for the next step.
For Anaheim, it’s about depth and development. With Dostal out, they need someone ready to step in, even if only in a backup role. Buteyets has been tested at every level he’s played, and while the NHL is a different beast, this opportunity could be a valuable stepping stone in his progression.
Keep an eye on this one. Goaltenders often take longer to develop, and Buteyets is still just 23. This recall might be temporary, but it could also be the start of something more.