Anaheim Ducks Sign Goaltender Lukáš Dostál
The Anaheim Ducks have solidified their future in net by signing goaltender Lukáš Dostál to a substantial five-year deal worth $32.5 million. This contract, which translates to an average annual salary of $6.5 million, was announced via the team’s social media accounts on Thursday. The extension comes as a significant step for Dostál, who recently filed for salary arbitration, one of 11 players to do so on July 5.
Dostál’s Performance and Impact
During the 2024-25 season, Dostál established himself as the Ducks’ primary goaltender, starting in a career-high 49 games and finishing with a 23-23-7 record. His performance included a goals-against average of 3.10 and a save percentage of .903. Remarkably, advanced analytics highlight his capabilities even further, with estimates from MoneyPuck revealing he saved 14.3 goals more than expected based on the circumstances of the shots he faced.
Ducks’ GM Pat Verbeek expressed satisfaction with securing the young keeper, noting, “Lukas has proven he is a No. 1 goaltender, and we are so pleased to get this deal done. He is just entering the prime of his career with his best hockey ahead of him.”
Team Changes and Future Outlook
To facilitate Dostál’s rise as the undisputed starting goalie, the Ducks recently traded veteran John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings. As part of that transaction, Petr Mrázek, a seasoned goalie and fellow Czech, has joined the team to fill the backup position. Over his four seasons with Anaheim, Dostál has compiled a record of 42 wins, 58 losses, and 13 overtime losses, with a save percentage of .902 and an average of 3.29 goals against per game.
