by Defenseman Jackson Lacombe signed a contract extension of $ 72 million on Thursday, $ 72 million with the Anaheim Ducks, leaving the emerging young star with the club the 2033-34 season.
The Lacombe deal was the richest ever given by the team, although other contracts had larger average annual values.
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“We are pleased to sign Jackson for a long -term contract and to conclude a core player for our future,” said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek in a statement. “Making this deal early was a priority for us. Jackson has all the tools to be an anchor on our back for many years to come.”
After only two full NHL seasons, the 24-year-old Lacombe has emerged as an elite two-way defender who is being considered for the American Olympic team schedule.
Lacombe went directly to the NHL of the University of Minnesota in 2023, and he has registered 16 goals and 44 assists more than 148 races. He quickly appeared as the most reliable defender of the ducks, who led the selection in Ice Age last season and played an important role on their Power Play.
He even got into a leading role after he was traded to St. Louis last December. Lacombe’s 14 goals last season were the most due to an Anaheim Blueliner since Lubomir Visnovsky 18 had in the 2010-11 season.
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“I am grateful to the organization for their faith in me,” Lacombe said. “It was an easy decision for me to bind my future to the ducks and Orange County. We are building something special here, and I am excited to do everything I can do to help this team win.”
Lacombe also stood out in the world championships in Stockholm last May and registered two goals and three assists for the gold medal-winning American team.
De Ducks chose the resident of Minnesota with the 39th general choice in the 2019 design. He became a star for the Golden Gophers after he had been set up and grew into a top perspective that then quickly adapted to the NHL game.
Lacombe is the first player to be signed again in the large class of the Ducks of limited free agents who will come up next summer. Lacombe was planned to be an RFA next to the Central Leo Carlsson, left -wing wing cutter Gauthier and defenders Owen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov.
Verbeek locked Lacombe five days after the re -signing of Holdout Center Mason McTavish to a six -year -old $ 42 million deal.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/nhl
