Ducks Sign Tristan Luneau to Six-Year, $43.2M Deal After Just 14 NHL Games
Anaheim has locked up the 22-year-old defenceman on a six-year contract worth $7.2 million a year, just before the Ducks open their season in Vegas.
Tristan Luneau is trending because the Anaheim Ducks have given the young defenceman a big long-term contract before he has played much in the NHL. The team signed the 22-year-old to a six-year, $43.2-million deal on Thursday, with an average annual value of $7.2 million.
Luneau has only 14 NHL games on his résumé. Sportsnet described the deal as the largest contract in NHL history for a player with so little experience.
What we know about the deal
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the extension. NHL.com and TSN also reported the signing.
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said signing Luneau was a priority. "We see him as a top-four defenseman for years to come," he said. He added that getting it done before the season was a key part of the team's planning.
Luneau was sent to the AHL on Tuesday and recalled a day later, according to TSN.
A small NHL sample, a big vote of confidence
Luneau has played seven NHL games in 2023-24, six in 2024-25 and one last season. In total he has two goals and two assists.
His one game last season came on April 16 against the Nashville Predators, a 5-4 Ducks win. He scored a goal and played 11:37.
Most of his time last year was with the San Diego Gulls in the AHL. There he had 10 goals and 31 assists for 41 points in 70 games.
Dave Manson, who coaches San Diego, praised his game. "He has a high ceiling. I would say he can eat a lot of minutes," Manson said. He said Luneau has some offensive upside and can defend. Manson was also impressed by how Luneau "kept it simple" in Nashville.
Luneau is from Victoriaville, Que. He played junior hockey with the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL.
Why it matters for Anaheim
The Ducks lost four regular defencemen from last season: Jacob Trouba, Radko Gudas, Olen Zellweger and John Carlson. That leaves room for Luneau to get a real NHL opportunity this year.
The signing also fits a pattern. NHL.com notes that Anaheim has been locking up its young core. Forward Leo Carlsson signed a five-year, $90-million contract on July 9, matching an offer sheet he had signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. Defenceman Pavel Mintyukov, also 22, signed a five-year deal on July 5.
What happens next
The Ducks open their season at the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday at 10 p.m. ET. It will be shown on Prime Video, SCRIPPS, KCOP-13, SN and TVAS.
Whether Luneau can grow into the top-four role the team envisions will become clearer as he plays more NHL games this season.
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