Lukáš Dostál and the Anaheim Ducks are extending their relationship with a new five-year contract, the goalie announced on the team’s social media platform Thursday.

The extension for the restricted free agent is worth $32.5 million, with an average annual value of $6.5 million and covers three years of UFA status. The deal also has a 10-team no-trade clause in the final three years. The sides avoided salary arbitration after the 25-year-old was one of 11 players to file for the process on July 5.

When discussing the decision to file for salary arbitration, Dostál said he left it up to his agent and the team to work through.

“I think every player doesn’t want to go through arbitration,” Dostál said. “Honestly, I just let my agent fully handle it. He did a great job, and I think both sides are happy.”

Dostál emerged as Anaheim’s lead goalie in 2024-25, making a career-high 49 starts while compiling a 23-23-7 record, a 3.10 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. His advanced metrics were better than the traditional statistics, as MoneyPuck had him with 14.3 goals saved above expected.

“Lukas has proven he is a No. 1 goaltender, and we are so pleased to get this deal done,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement. “He is just entering the prime of his career, with his best hockey ahead of him.”

Dostál said his contract is not only a milestone for his career, but it also reflects his desire to be part of the Ducks’ long-term success.

“It’s a big honor, obviously,” Dostál said. “I always look at myself in the mirror and I always see myself being a kid from a village that has 300 people in it. It’s always a good reminder that if you have a dream and you want to chase it, there’s always the possibility to reach it. …

“But there’s a long way ahead of us. We are a (rising) team. I truly believe that. That’s why we agreed on the long-term deal, because that’s something that I was very interested (in), because I trust the young core that we have here. I believe it’s going to be a very exciting time to be a Ducks fan in the future. I’m very excited for the future.”

The Ducks cleared the way for Dostál to be their decided No. 1 option by trading longtime starter John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings. Part of the return included veteran goalie Petr Mrázek, a fellow Czech countryman of Dostál’s, to become his new backup.

Gibson served as a vital veteran figure for Dostál over the past few years in the organization.

“I learned so much from him,” Dostál said. “(When I) got to the league, he’s been there for 10-plus years and in my opinion is a great goaltender and even better person. … Always sad to see your friend go somewhere else. I wish him all the best. It’s going to be a fresh start for him. He’s a great goaltender. We still stay in touch.”

In four seasons with Anaheim, Dostál has a 42-58-13 record, a .902 save percentage and a 3.29 goals-against average.

(Photo: Ryan Sirius Sun / Getty Images)