Anaheim Ducks Hand Out History-Making Contract to Tristan Luneau
It seems that Pat Verbeek and the Anaheim Ducks have learned their lesson. They're geting way out ahead of the game now, making sure to lock up a young talent long before it becomes an offer sheet issue. And in doing so, they've made history.
Anaheim is extending young D Tristan Luneau 6 x $7.2M AAV
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 1, 2026
Largest contract in NHL history for player with 14 games played.
Ducks believe in the player…kept him in AHL all last year after some previous injuries. Think he will be a top 4 D.
And, and they’ve learned, take care…
The contract kicks in for the 2027-28 season, as he'll finish up his three-year entry-level deal this year.
As Elliotte Friedman notes, the Ducks believe that Luneau can be a top-four blueliner. They actually handed him the same AAV that they gave Pavel Mintyukov earlier this offseason (on a five-year deal), when there was serious pressure to stave off a pending offer sheet at more money.
But unlike Mintyukov, Luneau has yet to prove himself in the NHL. He was selected one round and 43 picks after Mintyukov in the 2022 Draft.
The Quebec-born D-man scored a goal in his only appearance with the Ducks last year in their final game of the regular season, and played just six games with Anaheim the year before, and only seven games in 2023-24.
Newly-signed Luneau tore it up in the AHL the past two seasons
However, he's had two excellent seasons in the AHL, showing his offensive prowess from the blueline, with 10 goals and 41 points in 70 games with the San Diego Gulls last year, and an even more impressive 52 points in 59 games the year before.
The Ducks are enamoured with the right-shot D's mobility and offensive instincts, and clearly view him as a foundational piece of their blueline for the future.
"Signing Tristan to a long-term contract was a priority as we see him as a top-four defenseman for years to come,” Verbeek said. "Getting the deal done before the season started was a key part of our planning for now and the future."
The Ducks open their season Friday night in Vegas.