NHL Free Agency: UFA Mikael Granlund Lands Much Richer Deal Than Expected

The Dallas Stars wanted to keep unrestricted free agent center Mikael Granlund. But not at this price. Granlund, 33, coming off a $5 million AAV for the past four years, has signed a three-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks with a $7 million cap hit.

Mikael Granlund is a Duck 🦆

He has agreed to a three-year contract worth $21M ✍️ pic.twitter.com/xXjXi4Ztzu
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 1, 2025

It's a big haul for the Finnish center, as he was projected by AFP Analytics to pull in a two-year deal worth $4.975 million AAV. He blows past that with this contract.

The Ducks are serious about taking the next step this offseason with a veteran push, and Granlund, who has three 60-point seasons in the last four years, will be a nice addition to the young team.

Whether he plays alongside youngsters Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, and/or Mason McTavish, Granlund will lend a tremendous playmaking and leadership hand to the young charges.

The Ducks brought in grizzled NHL coach Joel Quenneville—the second-winningest head coach in league history—to cap off the rebuild with a serious playoff run. To that end, adding Granlund to the previous trade for Chris Kreider, will give the Ducks the experience they need.

“Very versatile player," said Ducks GM Pat Verbeek of Granlund after the signing. "He was really good on faceoffs last year. Pretty stout, can kill penalties and play the power play. Can go up and down the lineup... someone who can play really good minutes in a tough environment.”

The Ducks still have $29 million in cap space, so the $7M hit on Granlund's contract is no skin off their back. He joins Troy Terry as the highest-paid forward on the team, trailing only the $8M they pay defenseman Jacob Trouba.

Granlund posted 22 goals and 44 assists for 66 points this season, split between the San Jose Sharks and the Stars.