Ducks Secure Jackson LaCombe with Record Eight-Year Deal
The Anaheim Ducks have made a major move for their future, locking up defenseman Jackson LaCombe with an eight-year, $72 million extension. This contract not only keeps the 24-year-old blueliner in Anaheim through the 2033–34 season, but it also goes down as the richest deal in franchise history. While other Ducks players in the past may have had larger average annual values, no contract has carried a bigger total number than this one.
The decision was described as a priority by Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek. He emphasized how important it was to get the deal done early, pointing out that LaCombe already possesses the tools to anchor Anaheim’s defense for years to come. In just two full NHL seasons, LaCombe has developed into one of the Ducks’ most dependable players, logging heavy minutes, running the power play, and stepping into a leadership role following the departure of longtime defenseman Cam Fowler last year.
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LaCombe’s performance speaks for itself. Since jumping straight from the University of Minnesota to the NHL in 2023, he has played in 148 games, collecting 16 goals and 44 assists. His 14 goals last season were the most by an Anaheim defenseman in over a decade, a mark that hadn’t been reached since Lubomir Visnovsky’s 18-goal campaign back in 2010–11. He also represented the United States at the World Championships in Stockholm last spring, helping his team to gold with two goals and three assists.
The extension also signals the direction Anaheim is taking as it moves into a new era. LaCombe is part of a promising young defensive core that includes Owen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov, both of whom are expected to be key pieces of the rebuild. On top of that, LaCombe becomes the first of a large class of Ducks restricted free agents to re-sign before next summer. Fellow youngsters Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Zellweger, and Mintyukov are all due for contracts soon, but Verbeek’s focus was clearly on making sure LaCombe stayed locked in as a cornerstone of the defense.
For LaCombe, the decision was described as an easy one. He expressed gratitude to the organization, saying he felt strongly about committing his future to the Ducks and to Orange County. He emphasized that the team is building something special, and he wants to do everything possible to help bring the club back into playoff contention.
The deal arrives on the heels of another major extension for Anaheim, as center Mason McTavish recently signed a six-year, $42 million contract. With both McTavish and LaCombe secured long term, the Ducks are showing a clear commitment to their young core. While the true impact of LaCombe’s contract will only be known in the years ahead, the move demonstrates the franchise’s belief that he can be a leader and difference-maker on the blue line.
For Anaheim fans, it’s a strong signal that brighter days may be on the horizon.
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