What happened: The contract runs through the 2031-32 NHL season at a $13.5 million average annual value. Gauthier arrived in Anaheim in early 2024 after Philadelphia drafted him fifth overall in 2022 and dealt him in the Jamie Drysdale trade.

Why it matters: It secures Gauthier after a 41-goal, 69-point season that made him Anaheim's leading scorer. The timing also gets one of the Ducks' core pieces under contract before camp after the club broke through for its first playoff appearance since 2018.

What to watch: Watch camp, where Pat Verbeek said the deal gets Gauthier in on time. Anaheim now heads into preseason with Gauthier and Leo Carlsson both tied to long-term money.