The biggest off-season news was the signing of two Anaheim Ducks powerhouse forwards: 22-year-old Cutter Gauthier and 21-year-old Leo Carlsson.
After being traded to the Anaheim Ducks two years ago in 2024, Cutter Gauthier was finally signed on for another six years on an $81 million contract. There was concern about whether Anaheim could come up with the money to sign a player like Gauthier after signing 21-year-old Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $90 million contract. This historic deal makes Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL after he was given an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers that the Ducks were forced to match. Carlsson confirmed to an NHL reporter, “I really wanted [Anaheim] to match. I want to be an Anaheim Duck.”
Gauthier has proven to be a worthy investment for Anaheim so far. He led the Ducks in goals during the 2025-26 season with 41 goals and 28 assists in his 76 games. Leo Carlsson came second with 29 goals and 38 assists. Gauthier’s stats went down during the 2026 Playoffs to 4 goals and 8 assists. It was later revealed after the Ducks were eliminated that he was suffering from multiple spinal injuries.
Next Steps for Defense
Signing both forwards left Anaheim with less salary cap space than they wanted. To accommodate, the Ducks traded star forward Mason McTavish, defenseman Olen Zellweger, and defenseman John Carlson for various draft picks and defenseman Kyle Masters.
While re-signing Gauthier strengthens Anaheim’s offensive side, the Ducks will need to work hard to revamp their young defense. Without defensemen Zellweger and Carlson (along with Jacob Trouba and former captain Radko Gudas), the Ducks may need to lean on their offense to make the playoffs again.
All eyes are on breakout defensive star Tristan Luneau after he joined the starting lineup after training camp. Luneau played in one game during the 2025-26 season, scoring one goal against the Nashville Predators. Luneau has a good chance to help define the next generation of Anaheim defense alongside Jackson LaCombe and Pavel Mintyukov.
New Leadership
Anaheim has also named their 2026-27 captain: Mikael Granlund. In his second season with the Ducks, the 34-year-old is already wearing the “C” alongside assistant captains Leo Carlsson, Alex Killorn, Troy Terry, and Jackson LaCombe. Granlund served as captain of the Finland team in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Goalie Lukas Dostal praised his leadership, veteran influence, and flexibility, fully supporting the decision.
Troy Terry, who some believed would be the next captain, is still out on injury while recovering from hip surgery.
The Anaheim Ducks will play their first regular season game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, October 2nd at 7:00 PM PT.
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