Jackson LaCombe: The Ducks' $72 Million Defenseman Who Shut Down McDavid

Key facts

• LaCombe signed an eight-year, $72 million contract extension with Anaheim in September 2024.
• He scored 58 points in the regular season and made the U.S. Olympic team roster.
• In the first round, LaCombe recorded nine points (1 goal, 8 assists), second-most in the NHL behind Leon Draisaitl.
• He set Ducks franchise records for points and assists by a defenseman in a first-round series.
• LaCombe averaged 27 minutes per game, primarily matched up against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
• Against LaCombe, the Oilers generated only 1.62 expected goals per 60 with McDavid on ice, compared to 2.99 without him.
• Anaheim eliminated the two-time conference champion Edmonton Oilers in six games.

A Playoff Debut for the Ages

Jackson LaCombe has arrived. In his first Stanley Cup playoff series, the Anaheim Ducks defenseman scored nine points — second-most in the NHL — and anchored the defensive effort that neutralized Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, propelling the underdog Ducks past the two-time conference champion Edmonton Oilers in six games. Only Draisaitl scored more points in the first round. LaCombe’s puck-moving acumen fueled Anaheim’s 26-goal barrage, while his 27 minutes per game included relentless matchups against the league’s most feared offensive duo. The result: a stunning upset that has thrust the 25-year-old into the national spotlight.

The Contract That Raised Eyebrows

When LaCombe signed an eight-year, $72 million extension last September, the reaction from casual fans was a collective “Who’s that?” The deal was the richest in Anaheim franchise history, a bold commitment to a defenseman who had just one season of NHL experience. But within the organization, there was no doubt. LaCombe had endured a difficult rookie year, then exploded for 43 points in 2024-25 while tilting the ice against elite competition. This season, he followed with 58 points and an invitation to join Team USA at the Milan Olympics — a testament to his rapid ascent.

Shutting Down the Best in the World

The numbers tell a stark story. Over McDavid’s previous three playoffs, his expected-goals rate hovered around 60 percent and he generated at least 3.25 expected goals per 60 minutes. Against LaCombe in this series, that rate plummeted to 44 percent, with the Oilers managing only 1.62 expected goals per 60. In the 51 minutes McDavid faced LaCombe, he was held without a goal at even strength. In the 33 minutes without LaCombe, McDavid tilted the ice to a 65 percent expected-goals share. The pattern held from the regular season, when LaCombe also limited McDavid to a 44 percent expected-goals rate across three meetings.

Teammates and Coaches Weigh In

“It’s crazy to me that people are just now figuring it out about him,” said forward Troy Terry. “Every night we play, he controls the game with his legs. He plays both ends. He’s the first guy on the attack for us. He’s playing McDavid. He literally doesn’t have a weakness in his game.” Defensive partner Jacob Trouba echoed the sentiment: “Since I’ve gotten here, he’s steadily grown into the player he is. He’s been our guy that’s really driven the bus on the backend.” Head coach Joel Quenneville praised LaCombe’s quiet efficiency: “Very patient, very relaxed. Next thing you know he’s skating up ice, effortlessly goes by people.”

From Forward to Franchise Defenseman

LaCombe’s offensive instincts trace back to his youth, when he played forward. “I think a lot of those skills and instincts I picked up when I played forward, I’ve kept on defense,” he said. That background gives him a unique feel for reading plays, anticipating shifts, and joining the rush. His puck-moving ability has been a key driver of Anaheim’s transition game. In the first round, he led all defensemen in assists and set franchise records for points and assists by a blueliner in a playoff series. Yet he remains grounded: “I try not to go on social when it’s too much,” he said of the viral attention.

What Comes Next: A Second-Round Test

The Ducks now face the Vegas Golden Knights, who edged Anaheim for the Pacific Division title last month. LaCombe will again be tasked with neutralizing elite talent, this time a Golden Knights squad that boasts depth and experience. For Anaheim’s rebuild, having a franchise-level defenseman alongside emerging star Leo Carlsson is a blueprint for sustained success. LaCombe’s playoff performance has already cemented his status as a cornerstone. “He’s one of the best players in the playoffs, and one of the best players in the league,” said Carlsson. The Ducks are betting he’s just getting started.

The bottom line

• Jackson LaCombe scored nine points in his first playoff series, second-most in the NHL, and set Ducks franchise records for a defenseman in a first round.
• He held Connor McDavid to a 44 percent expected-goals rate, effectively neutralizing the league’s best player.
• LaCombe’s eight-year, $72 million contract, once questioned, now looks like a bargain for a No. 1 defenseman.
• His offensive skills, honed as a former forward, make him a dual threat at even strength and on the power play.
• Anaheim’s rebuild gains legitimacy with a franchise defenseman and forward Leo Carlsson as cornerstones.
• The Ducks face Vegas in the second round, where LaCombe’s matchup will again be critical.