The 22-year-old was set to be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season.
At the beginning of training camp, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek stated that they were going to react quicker when it came to their players approaching restricted free agency. They’ve done just that by tying down Tim Washe and now Tristan Luneau to long-term contracts.
Luneau’s case is a bit different from Washe’s, as the former has played just 14 NHL games over three seasons while the latter spent the second half of last season in the NHL and was an essential part of the team’s playoff performance. Luneau appeared in one NHL game last season, the last game of the regular season against the Nashville Predators, scoring a goal and helping the Ducks enter the postseason on a high note.
With the exoduses of Jacob Trouba, Radko Gudas and John Carlson, in addition to current injuries to Drew Helleson and Ian Moore, Luneau has now been handed the biggest opportunity of his NHL career. The extension that he signed on Thursday morning validates that.
“My agent called me not too long ago, saying that (the Ducks) wanted to move forward with an extension,” Luneau said. “I said I want to be part of this group, and I’m ready to get things going, too.”
Apr 16, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau (67) and center Tim Washe (42) defend against an attack by Nashville Predators left wing Reid Schaefer (49) during the second period of their game at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn ImagesThis extension does carry its fair share of risk. The organization is investing $43.2 million dollars in a player who has played in less than 20 NHL games. When Jackson LaCombe signed his big-money extension prior to the 2025-26 season, he had already shown signs of becoming one of the league’s top defensemen and has now appeared in over 200 NHL games. The Ducks are hoping to get ahead of the curve by signing Luneau before his breakout has even occurred.
Luneau has been preparing for this opportunity, having made the Ducks’ opening night roster twice before only to have his NHL season cut short by both injury and a demotion. With two successful AHL seasons under his belt, both the organization and player feel that he is ready to take the next step.
“It’s a lot of trust,” he said. “(I’ve) got to live up to the expectations and trust that they put in you, and I’m ready to do that.”
Based off recent practice line combinations, Luneau will play alongside LaCombe on the top defensive pair to start the season. Both players will be entrusted to play big minutes throughout the season in all situations.
