A major storyline for the Anaheim Ducks heading into the 2026-27 season is Tristan Luneau. Specifically, the team will be looking for the 22-year-old to become top D-man Jackson LaCombe's full-time partner.
That's the plan.
And if it doesn't work out, the Ducks could find themselves in need of another trade.
Let's unpack that for a moment. The Ducks pretty much overhauled the right side of their defense by seeing John Carlson, Jacob Trouba, and former captain Radko Gudas depart. That's why the pressure is on Tristan Luneau to prove he's ready for prime time.
In a recent interview with RG Media, Luneau told Marco D'Amico his desire to not only make the roster, but also emerge as a long-term option for the team .
"You want to push to crack the roster, and you want to think of the future and what your value is as a player going into your contract year. It's about leaving a strong impression and making you've shown what you can bring to the organization and where your game is going."
That's the right attitude. It's the key to making the entire Tristan Luneau experiment work. Otherwise, the cost of a failed experiment could force the Ducks' hand.
Let's assume for a minute that Luneau just isn't ready for NHL prime time yet. That's a big problemo because the Ducks would suddenly have a massive hole in their blue line. The organization might be forced to press veteran depth piece Nick Jensen into a much more prominent role.
Meanwhile, the other right-side options, Drew Helleson and Ian Moore, would have to step up and play with LaCombe. While both Helleson and Moore are fine NHL defensemen, they're not really what the Ducks have in mind.
Those would only be stopgap solutions until the Ducks found a right-shot defenseman who could partner with LaCombe.
And yes, the Ducks would have to get in line with the rest of the NHL, which is also looking for a top-pairing, right-shot D.
All of that goes away if Tristan Luneau works out just fine. If he proves he's ready for a full-time NHL role, the Ducks won't have to worry about seeking outside help.
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A potentially complex situation could emerge with Luneau, as he told RG Media he's entering a contract year. And that could throw a bit of a monkey wrench into the works.
With Tristan Luneau coming out of his entry-level deal, the Ducks will need to figure out if he's worth signing long-term. If he is, the organization will need to determine a fair price point.
And that's where another Cutter Gauthier -type situation could emerge.
For now, it seems that Luneau and the Ducks are playing it by ear. If he has a phenomenal year, the two sides can figure out what that means moving forward. If he struggles, the Ducks could punt, possibly signing Tristan Luneau to a short-term deal until everyone is certain what's on the table.
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