Tristan Luneau signs six-year, $43.2M extension with Ducks

Fantasy hockey: Luneau locked up long term despite limited NHL experience, joins Anaheim's three-game week with 11:37 a night and no power-play time in recent work.

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

The Anaheim Ducks signed defenseman Tristan Luneau to a six-year, $43.2 million extension worth $7.2 million average annual value. The 22-year-old has appeared in just 14 NHL games, making this the largest contract in league history for a player with so few appearances. Luneau missed significant time with a viral infection and spent most of the past two seasons with San Diego in the AHL, but Anaheim moved quickly to lock him up after struggling with other restricted free agents this summer.

The Ducks play three games this week (Friday, Sunday, Wednesday), giving Luneau immediate opportunities to establish himself in his new full-time role. With veteran defensemen Jacob Trouba, Radko Gudas, John Carlson and Olen Zellweger all departing, ice time is available on a blue line that needs help. Luneau's recent averages show 0.31 points per game, 1.3 shots per game and 11:37 a night over an 18-game sample.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

Tristan Luneau

Luneau averaged 0.31 points per game, 1.3 shots per game, 1.1 blocks per game and 11:37 a night in his recent work. He saw no power-play time in that sample and has no power-play points in his numbers. With four veteran defensemen gone from last season's group, Anaheim needs him to handle more responsibility immediately. The Ducks run Jackson Lacombe on their first power-play unit alongside Beckett Sennecke, Leo Carlsson, Mikael Granlund and Cutter Gauthier.

The extension signals faith in Luneau's potential, but his limited ice time and offensive output reflect a young player still earning his minutes. His 0.20 goals per game and 0.11 assists per game show modest production in his recent sample. For fantasy managers, Luneau remains a wait-and-see asset until his ice time climbs and he earns a spot on special teams. With three games this week, he will have chances to show what the Ducks see in him.

Leo Carlsson

Carlsson signed a $90 million offer sheet with Philadelphia that Anaheim matched, making him one of the highest-paid young centers in hockey. He averaged 0.80 points per game, 2.3 shots per game and 19:23 a night in his recent work, with 0.19 power-play points per game. His underlying play grades 90 out of 100 among forwards, a measure of shots, scoring chances and ice time that suggests his scoring is sustainable. He anchors Anaheim's first power-play unit with 3:14 of power-play time per game, tops among all Ducks skaters.

The massive contract reflects Anaheim's belief in Carlsson as a cornerstone piece, even if general manager Pat Verbeek paid more than expected as a restricted free agent. Carlsson's 0.36 goals per game and 0.44 assists per game show first-line production over his 190-game sample. With three games this week, he remains a locked-in fantasy option across all formats. His elite underlying numbers and power-play role make him a strong bet for consistent output.

Pavel Mintyukov

Mintyukov signed a five-year, $36 million deal after other teams showed interest following the Carlsson offer sheet situation. He averaged 0.31 points per game, 1.1 shots per game and 18:21 a night over a 188-game sample. His underlying play grades 72 out of 100 among defensemen, indicating solid shot and chance generation that supports his numbers. He averaged 0:46 of power-play time per game, ranking 11th among all Ducks skaters, and contributed 0.04 power-play points per game.

The contract locks up another young defenseman on a blue line that needs depth and consistency. Mintyukov's 0.08 goals per game and 0.22 assists per game show he contributes more as a playmaker, though neither number stands out for fantasy purposes. His 1.2 blocks per game and 0.7 hits per game add peripheral value in deeper formats. With three games this week and increased responsibility available after the departures of multiple veterans, Mintyukov could see more ice time as the season progresses.

What to do

• Carlsson remains a must-start center across all formats with elite underlying numbers and power-play usage.

• Mintyukov is a deep-league option for managers who need blocks and can wait for his offensive production to tick up.

• Luneau stays on the waiver wire until his ice time climbs above 15 minutes a night and he earns power-play opportunities.

Schedule this week