Avalanche rivals just got significantly weaker after failing to re-sign a top free agent
Photo credit: Jerome Miron / Imagn Images
The Anaheim Ducks announced on Tuesday that they've signed forward Mikael Granlund to a three-year deal.
The contract, which runs from the 2025-26 to 2027-28 seasons, is worth $21 million in total, carrying an AAV and cap hit of $7 million.
Stars fail to re-sign a top center.
The Stars also lost Mason Marchment in a trade with the Seattle Kraken a couple weeks back.
Kyle Morton from the Daily Faceoff writes that the Finnish centerman is the latest veteran to join the Ducks' roster, following Chris Kreider, who was was recently brought in from the New York Rangers in a significant trade.
"Granlund, 33, split the past season between the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars. He had 45 points in San Jose and another 21 in Dallas after getting moved ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline. It marked his second straight 60-point campaign, and the fifth time he has done it in his 13-year NHL career." -Morton
Selected ninth overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2010 NHL Draft, Granlund spent the first seven years of his career in Minnesota before being traded to the Nashville Predators in 2019. His early stint in Nashville was underwhelming, with just 62 points over his first two full seasons. However, he bounced back in the 2021-22 with a 64-point campaign, only to see his production dip again the next year, ultimately leading to a trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"The 5-foot-10 forward has 179 goals and 610 points in 902 games over his career. Internationally, Granlund also has 15 goals and 54 points at the World Championship, and he also had seven points in six games to lead Finland to the bronze medal at the 2014 Olympics. Granlund will look to qualify for his second Olympic tournament next season after scoring three goals and an assist at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February." -Morton
With new head coach Joel Quenneville at the helm, the Ducks aim to make a return to the playoffs, relying on a mix of seasoned veterans and rising young stars such as Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Jackson Lacombe.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 5 | 26 ANSWERS Avalanche rivals just got significantly weaker after failing to re-sign a top free agent Will the Dallas Stars be significantly weaker without Mikael Granlund down the middle? | ||
| yes | 20 | 76.9 % |
| no | 6 | 23.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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