Jackson LaCombe signed an eight-year contract extension with Anaheim Ducks with an AAV of $9 million per season, according to PuckPedia. The contract also contains layers of trade protection; a no trade clause in years three through five, a 15 team no trade list in years six through seven, and a 10 team no trade list in year eight. With LaCombe set to be an RFA with arbitration rights next summer, GM Pat Verbeek finally got ahead of a contract standoff and allocated cap space to one of the core young pieces in Anaheim.
LaCombe is number one
Unquestionably in total dollars earned over the span on a single contract, Lacombe's $72 million is more than previous core players Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry ever earned in their prime. That $72 million is also more than previous franchise favorites Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya ever earned in a contract too. Verbeek ante upped, backed up his offseason remarks about committing to making a push for the playoffs with full backing from ownership, and paid a core piece what he is worth.
LaCombe is the DeFacto number one defenseman for the Ducks. Not only did LaCombe more than double his point total (17 points in 2023-24 to 43 points in 2024-25), but his ice time also nearly increased by three minutes (19:23 to 22:18). LaCombe plays in all situations, effectively kills plays in transition, will pick his spot to jump in the offensive zone, and becomes the anchor for struggling defensive partners, see Radko Gudas or Jacob Trouba.
... for now
LaCombe may currently have the richest deal for the Ducks, but for how long? Leo Carlsson will be a RFA next summer and is the number one center for the team. If Lacombe's contract was worth $9 million per season, how much does Carlsson's number increase now? Does that number start at 10? Or does the number climb higher? Carlsson must take a massive step this season to usurp LaCombe as the highest paid Duck. All the pieces are in place: a new coach, new systems, and a better supporting cast. It's up to Carlsson to make the progression and force Verbeek's stingy hands once again.