Ducks sign Tristan Luneau to six-year extension

What’s bizarre about the value of the contract, as well as the term, is how little Luneau has spent in the NHL. To date, the 22-year-old has appeared in just 14 games, playing in just one contest during the 2025-26 season. Yet general manager Pat Verbeek believes the long-term deal will be a worthy investment.

“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 in a release. “Getting the deal done before the season started was a key part of our planning for now and the future.”

Luneau certainly made the most of his one game with the Ducks last year, scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators in the final game of the regular season. He spent just about all of the season with Anaheim’s American Hockey League affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. There, Luneau continued to establish himself as a solid offensive weapon, posting over 40 points for the second straight season. He notched 10 goals and 31 assists for 41 points in 70 regular-season contests, helping the Gulls squeak into the Calder Cup Playoffs after finishing seventh in the Pacific Division. He played in both of the team’s first-round games, which saw them get swept by the Colorado Eagles.

The reason for Luneau being kept off the big club comes down to development, as well as the organization wanting him to fully find his game after previous injuries. The Victoriaville, Que. native played just seven games in his rookie season between the NHL and AHL.

In his 14 NHL games, Luneau has scored two goals and four points. In 135 regular-season games in the AHL, he has notched 19 goals and 76 assists for 95 points. The 2023 QMJHL Defenseman of the Year was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team in 2024-25.

Luneau is expected to join the Ducks for their first game of the season, as he was recalled from San Diego on Wednesday. Anaheim is set to take on the Vegas Golden Knights in its season opener on Friday night.