Prospect Update: Tristan Luneau

By Thomas Harrington

The Anaheim Ducks chose defenseman Tristan Luneau in the second round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, 53rd overall. He made both his NHL and AHL debuts this past season.

The plan for Luneau had been for him to go back for one more season of junior hockey. However, he had such a great training camp and preseason that he forced his way onto Anaheim’s roster. He wasn’t a regular in the lineup, but the Ducks clearly felt getting some NHL games and lots of NHL practice time would be beneficial for his development.

At one point, he was scratched several games in a row and was eligible to play in the AHL on a conditioning assignment. Overall, he played seven games with the Ducks and scored a goal and three points. He played six games with the Gulls and recorded two assists. With the Ducks, he played between 15 and 22 minutes a night, and scored his first career goal against Washington at the end of November.

Despite Luneau’s time in the NHL and AHL, it was clear that he’d benefit from going back and playing more hockey at the junior level. The new plan was for him to go and play for Team Canada at the World Juniors, and then return to the QMJHL and dominate there for the rest of the season. Unfortunately, he had a serious knee infection and did not play any games in the QMJHL or for Canada at the World Juniors. The good news is that he should be ready to go for this season.

I had three expectations for Luneau last summer, and he technically missed all of them. However, he missed the first two because he was playing professional hockey and he missed the final one because of his injury. First, I had wanted him to put up similar numbers to the year before when he was named the QMJHL Defenseman of the Year. Second, for him to lead his team on a deeper postseason run. Third, for him to play for Team Canada. He was named to the roster, but the injury kept him from competing in the tournament. If he had been there, he likely would have been Canada’s top defenseman, and may have helped them have a better tournament. All that being said, I’m very happy with how the first part of Luneau’s season went last year. I obviously didn’t expect him to have such a great training camp and make Anaheim’s roster.

This season, Luneau will be a full-time professional hockey player, playing in either the AHL and/or the NHL. Given how much time he missed last year, I think it’s likely he’ll spend some time with the Gulls, but wouldn’t be surprised if he gets some NHL time as well.

I only have one expectation for Luneau this coming season. Regardless of if he’s with the Ducks or Gulls, to just play as much hockey as possible. Luneau is one of Anaheim’s better defensive prospects, but he only played in 13 games all of last season. Missing that much time can really hurt young players, so for now, I just want him to be a regular in the lineup and get as much playing time as possible. Once he’s shown he can play a full professional season, then I’ll start expecting more out of him.

Having made his NHL debut last season, the only question for Luneau currently is how soon will he be ready for a full-time NHL job? If he had been healthy for all of last season, I think the answer would probably be this coming year. However, given how much time he missed, I think it more likely he’ll split the year between the NHL and AHL, before looking to stay in the NHL permanently starting in the 2025-2026 season.

Because Luneau only played in seven NHL games last year, his entry-level contract did not begin. However, it will begin this season and it will last for three seasons; he’ll be a restricted free agent when it’s over. Assuming his injury last season doesn’t have any long-term impact on his development, I anticipate Luneau being extended in three years on a bridge deal.

The next and final prospect update will be on forward Nathan Gaucher.

Related Articles:

Prospect Update: Coulson Pitre

Prospect Update: Kyle Kukkonen

Prospect Update: Calle Clang

Prospect Update: Ian Moore

Prospect Update: Sam Colangelo

Prospect Update: Sasha Pastujov

Prospect Update: Pavol Regenda

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September 24th, 2024