Anaheim Ducks sign rising star Herman Traff to three-year NHL deal
The Anaheim Ducks have signed right wing Herman Traff to a three-year entry-level contract starting in 2026-27. Before then, he will join their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, for the rest of the 2025-26 season on an amateur tryout. The 19-year-old forward was originally drafted by New Jersey in 2024 but now moves to Anaheim's system.
Traff spent this season with Oskarshamn in Sweden's second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan. In 51 games, he scored 23 goals and added 18 assists, finishing with 41 points. His 23 goals were just two short of the league's single-season record for a player aged 20 or younger.
He also led the league in power play goals (12) and ranked fifth in total goals. Among under-21 players, no one in the 2024-25 Allsvenskan matched his scoring rate. His 50 points in 68 career Allsvenskan games further highlight his offensive impact. Before this season, Traff played 25 games in Sweden's top league, the SHL, with HV71 in 2024-25. There, he recorded 3 goals and 4 assists while averaging nearly a point every three games. Internationally, he represented Sweden at the 2025 World Junior Championship, scoring twice in seven appearances. The Ducks' deal secures his rights for three seasons, beginning in 2026. Until then, he will gain North American experience with the Gulls as they push for the playoffs.
Traff's move to San Diego gives him a chance to adapt to the AHL before his NHL contract begins. His scoring ability and power play success in Sweden suggest he could quickly contribute at a higher level. The Ducks now have a young forward with proven production in their development pipeline.
