Anaheim Ducks Extend Jackson LaCombe’s Contract
On Thursday, the Anaheim Ducks made headlines by extending the contract of defenseman Jackson LaCombe for eight years. Although the team did not disclose the average annual salary, insiders report that it stands at approximately $9 million, totaling an impressive $72 million over the duration of the contract, marking a franchise record for total contract value.
General Manager’s Enthusiasm
General Manager Pat Verbeek expressed enthusiasm about securing LaCombe, emphasizing the importance of retaining a pivotal player for the organization’s future.
“We are thrilled to sign Jackson to a long-term deal. Finalizing this contract early was crucial for us. We believe he has all the capabilities necessary to be a cornerstone on our defense for many years to come.”
LaCombe’s Performance
The 24-year-old LaCombe showed marked improvement during the previous season, concluding with 14 goals and 29 assists, totaling 43 points in 75 games—a significant leap from his rookie season’s performance. Notably, he led the Ducks with an average ice time of 22:18 minutes per game, even surpassing seasoned defenseman Cam Fowler, who logged 21:04 minutes before his trade to the St. Louis Blues.
Since Fowler’s departure on December 14, 2024, LaCombe has ranked among the top four NHL players in total ice time, only behind recognized names such as Zach Werenski from the Columbus Blue Jackets, Mike Matheson of the Montreal Canadiens, and Moritz Seider from the Detroit Red Wings.
LaCombe’s Gratitude
Expressing his gratitude, LaCombe remarked,
“Today is an exciting day for my family, and I am thankful for the organization’s trust in me. Choosing to commit to the Ducks and the Orange County community was straightforward. We are creating something special here, and I look forward to contributing to the team’s success.”
Defensive Metrics and Franchise Records
In addition to his scoring, LaCombe emerged as a solid defenseman, leading the Ducks in several defensive metrics. He was third in blocked shots with 129 and topped the team’s regular defensemen in various analytical statistics, including expected goals percentage and shot attempt percentage during 5-on-5 play.
As noted by Friedman, while other franchise stars like Ryan Getzlaf, Paul Kariya, and Corey Perry had higher annual average contract values, LaCombe’s deal surpassed them for total value and set a new benchmark for the franchise.
Looking Ahead
This significant contract solidifies LaCombe’s role in Anaheim as the team navigates the off-season with some remaining restricted free agents, including Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger. Meanwhile, in another development, the Florida Panthers recently secured defenseman Niko Mikkola to an eight-year contract with a cap hit of $5 million.
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