The Anaheim Ducks have made a significant commitment to their future, signing defenseman Jackson LaCombe to an eight-year contract extension. The deal, which begins in the 2026-27 NHL season and runs through the 2033-34 campaign, is worth $72 million, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $9 million. This contract represents the largest total value contract in Ducks' franchise history.
LaCombe, 24, is coming off a breakout season where he established himself as a key player on the Ducks' blue line. In the 2024-25 season, he led Anaheim defensemen in scoring with 43 points (14 goals and 29 assists) in 75 games. His 14 goals were the most by a Ducks defenseman since Lubomir Visnovsky scored 18 in the 2010-11 season. LaCombe also led the team in average ice time per game, playing 22:18 minutes per night.
"We are excited to sign Jackson to a long-term contract and lock up a core player for our future," said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek. "Getting this deal done early was a priority for us. Jackson has all of the tools to be an anchor on our back end for many years to come."
LaCombe's journey to this lucrative extension began with a successful collegiate career at the University of Minnesota. After being drafted by the Ducks in the second round (39th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, he spent four seasons with the Golden Gophers, earning Big Ten All-Star honors multiple times. He helped the team reach the National Championship in 2023 before signing his entry-level contract with Anaheim.
He made his NHL debut at the end of the 2022-23 season. In 148 career games with the Ducks, LaCombe has recorded 16 goals and 44 assists for 60 points. He also represented the United States at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning a gold medal. He recently won a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, contributing two goals and three assists in 10 games.
This contract extension is a significant step in the Ducks' ongoing rebuild. By securing LaCombe, along with other key players like Mason McTavish, who recently signed a six-year extension, and goaltender Lukas Dostal, the Ducks are building a core group for the future. LaCombe's deal also includes a full no-trade clause from 2028-31, a 15-team no-trade clause from 2031-33, and a 10-team no-trade clause in the final year of the deal in 2033-34.
"Today is an exciting day for my family, and I am grateful to the organization for their belief in me," LaCombe said. "It was an easy decision for me to commit my future to the Ducks and Orange County. We are building something special here, and I am excited to do everything I can to help this team win."
With LaCombe locked up long-term, the Ducks can now focus on negotiating contracts with other young stars like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger, who are all entering the final years of their entry-level contracts.
