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Tristan Luneau contract is a stunning $43.2M bet on 14 games

Dustin Judge
Ducks defenseman Olen Zellweger and goalie Petr Mrazek celebrate at Honda Center in 2025, a year before the Tristan Luneau contract extension

The Anaheim Ducks signed defenseman Tristan Luneau to a six-year contract extension Thursday, Oct. 1, the team announced. The Tristan Luneau contract runs from 2027-28 through 2032-33 and carries a $7.2 million average annual value, or $43.2 million in total, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported, according to Last Word on Sports.

Luneau, 22, has played 14 NHL games, which makes the Tristan Luneau contract an outlier. Friedman called it the largest contract in NHL history for a player with that few games, Last Word on Sports noted. Anaheim did not disclose the financial terms in its announcement.

Verbeek sees a top-four defenseman

“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.”

Luneau has one season left on his entry-level contract, so the Tristan Luneau contract has no cap impact in 2026-27, Last Word on Sports reported.

The Tristan Luneau contract by the numbers

  • Term: Six years, 2027-28 through 2032-33
  • Reported value: $43.2 million ($7.2 million AAV)
  • NHL career: 14 games, two goals, two assists
  • AHL career: 135 games, 19 goals, 76 assists (95 points) with San Diego
  • Draft: Second round, 53rd overall, 2022

From Gatineau to San Diego

Luneau, from Victoriaville, Quebec, was the QMJHL Rookie of the Year in 2020-21. In 2022-23 he was the league’s Defenseman of the Year after posting 20 goals and 83 points with a plus-49 rating in 65 games for Gatineau, the Ducks said.

He debuted with Anaheim in 2023-24, recording a goal and two assists in seven games. His first goal, on Nov. 30, 2023, against Washington, made him the fifth-youngest defenseman in Ducks history to score, at 19 years, 322 days.

Most of his development has come with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. He had 52 points in 59 games in 2024-25, led AHL rookies in assists and made the AHL All-Rookie Team. Over the past two seasons he ranks third among AHL defensemen in points, according to the team. His lone NHL game last season came April 16 at Nashville, where he scored the tying goal in a 5-4 Ducks win.

Recalled in time for the opener

Anaheim recalled Luneau from San Diego on Sept. 30, and he is expected to play when the Ducks open the season Friday, Oct. 2, at Vegas, Daily Faceoff reported. Puck drop at T-Mobile Arena is 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET). The Tristan Luneau contract follows a similar move last fall, when Anaheim locked up Mason McTavish for six years. For more, see the Total Apex Sports NHL page.

Reporting from NHL.com, Last Word on Sports and Daily Faceoff contributed to this story. Schedule: ESPN.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.