“Signing Tristan to a long-term contract was a priority as we see him as a top-four defenseman for years to come,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. “Getting the deal done before the season started was a key part of our planning for now and the future.”
Selected in the second round (No. 53) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Luneau will get his chance to play in the NHL this season after the Ducks lost four regular defensemen from last season (Jacob Trouba, Radko Gudas, Olen Zellweger, John Carlson).
“Tristan has a high ceiling,” said Dave Manson, coach of the Ducks’ American Hockey League affiliate in San Diego. “I would say he can eat a lot of minutes. He’s got some offensive upside. He can defend. I was real impressed when he went up to the NHL to the Ducks and played the game in Nashville (April 16 last season). He played very well. He kept it simple, and he just moved the puck, which he played to his strengths.”
Luneau had 41 points (10 goals, 31 assists) in 70 games for San Diego last season and one goal in his one game with Anaheim, a 5-4 win against the Nashville Predators.
The Luneau deal is the latest example of the Ducks locking up their young core for the long term. They signed forward Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $90 million contract ($18 million AAV) on July 9, matching an offer sheet he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 3. They also signed defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, 22, to a five-year contract July 5 and forward Cutter Gauthier, 22, who led the team with 41 goals and 69 points last season, to a six-year contract Sept. 15.
The Ducks open their season at the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday (10 p.m. ET; Prime Video, SCRIPPS, KCOP-13, SN, TVAS).