Ducks’ big bet on Tristan Luneau already paying off
Before this season, the Ducks made a serious investment in Tristan Luneau, and it’s already paying dividends. A team that had been known for tooth-and-nail negotiating and then saw protracted talks with core players inflate its bottom line signed a defenseman who had played just 14 career NHL games to a six-year, $43.2 million contract. Thus far, Luneau has more than delivered, even a year before that extension kicks in at the start of next season. Per Natural Stat Trick, Luneau leads all Ducks defensemen in every major underlying category at 5-on-5. His possession numbers, goals share, shots share, scoring chances share, high-danger scoring chances share and more top the Ducks’ D corps. That’s despite the goaltending behind him – his on-ice save percentage is the lowest among eight Ducks blue-liners – being less than stellar. He’s also played just 10 fewer seconds per game five-on-five…
