The Anaheim Ducks management signs Jackson LaCombe to a eight-year, $9 millon per-year contract. The $72 million contract makes him the highest paid Duck in history, in terms of total contract value.
Huge news in the Ducks locker room this morning#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/J3ZHOBGyO1
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) October 2, 2025
LaCombe’s History
LaCombe was the 39th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The second rounder then began his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota. He played with the Golden Gophers from the 2019-2020 season through to the 2022-2023 season. Once he completed his senior season, he immediately joined the Ducks for the remaining two games of the season. In the two seasons after that, he played exclusively in Anaheim, and showed tremendous growth doing it.
In his first full season with the Anaheim, LaCombe scored two goals and totaled 17 points. Playing in 71 games as well. In his second full season, he played 75 games, with 14 goals and 43 total points. LaCombe would have been a pending restricted free agent next summer, but General Manager Pat Verbeek is getting next summers business done early. After all, with Luke Hughes signing the same contract AAV wise, it’s smart business to get a potential superstar signed as quickly as you can.
LaCombe’s Future
While nine million per year might seem hefty for what LaCombe has brought to the table, the Ducks are certainly excited for him to be part of the long term plan in Southern California. There have certainly been worse ideas than locking up your number one defenceman for eight years through his prime.
Jackson LaCombe, signed to an 8x$9M extension by ANA, is a young skilled two-way defenceman whose game took a massive leap last season. In the second half he was the Ducks’ #1 defenceman playing huge, difficult minutes, and he was superb in basically every facet of the game. pic.twitter.com/LkE5Bhvp5g
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) October 2, 2025
The question is, can LaCombe sustain the type of success he shows last season, or is there a potential regression incoming? The Ducks will be hoping LaCombe can surpass what he performed last season, and with the talent in the Pacific Division, it will certainly be interesting to watch.
The post Anaheim Ducks Sign Young Defenceman to Franchise Record Deal appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.