Tristan Luneau 'In Shock', Logs Massive Ice Time After Signing Historic Deal

Tristan Luneau is still trying to adjust to his new key role as a core piece with the Anaheim Ducks, even after just 14 previous appearances with the big club. 

He signed a history-making contract extension this past week, earning a $7.2 million AAV on a $43.2M deal over six years. It's the largest contract ever handed out to a player with so few NHL games under his belt. 

And Luneau himself still can't believe it, according to one of his agents, Jonathan Lachance, speaking with Marco D'Amico of rg.org.

He was in shock when we told him about the contract, thought it was impossible that he got that deal, which shows you how humble he is as a person. This is a kid that has lived some serious adversity in his young career and getting that kind of security and commitment from the Ducks was a very proud moment for him.

He may have been in shock, but that didn't stop the 22-year-old from going out and taking his spot on the Ducks' top pairing, alongside Jackson Lacombe in the team's opener, and logging an insane amount of ice time of close to 27 minutes.

Fresh off signing a $43.2 million contract, Tristan Luneau logged 26:58 TOI against the defending Western Conference champs

At 5v5, he led the team in TOI (23:40), was on the ice for 3 goals for and none against, and posted a 58.3 xGF% (1.28-0.92)#FlyTogether

— Patrick Present (@PatrickCPresent) October 3, 2026

Five blocked shots, an assist and a plus/minus rating of +3 in his first game of the season. Not bad for someone who was "in shock."

Tristan Luneau (ANA67) commemorated his new $43M contract by logging almost 27 minutes on the Ducks' top pairing.

Here are his most notable plays and puck touches from last night. #NHLPotN pic.twitter.com/EggsadyUda

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) October 3, 2026

After Luneau tore it up in the AHL the past couple of seasons, Lachance said that GM Pat Verbeek approached them this summer and asked if they'd be interested in getting something done long-term. 

Of course, Verbeek getting burned big-time by the Philadelphia Flyers' $18 million AAV offer sheet to his prized center Leo Carlsson likely played a big part in greasing the wheels here. Verbeek was caught flat-footed by that offer sheet, and it blew up his team's salary cap structure. Obviously, getting proactive and taking care of business before it got taken care of for him has now become Verbeek's modus operandi. 

And Luneau—and the Ducks—are better off for it.