Mikael Granlund named Anaheim Ducks captain ahead of 2026-27 season opener

The Anaheim Ducks have named Mikael Granlund as the franchise’s captain for the 2026-27 NHL season, the league announced Tuesday. Granlund will take over the role ahead of the Ducks’ season opener at the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 2, replacing Radko Gudas, who was traded to the Florida Panthers on June 26 for A.J. Greer.

Granlund, 34, is entering his second season with Anaheim after signing a three-year contract on July 1, 2025. The NHL said he contributed 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 58 regular-season games and added 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games last season as the Ducks returned to the postseason for the first time since 2017-18. Anaheim defeated the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference First Round before being eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights.

Per the NHL, Granlund previously served as Team Finland captain at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where Finland earned the bronze medal. Earlier in his career, he was selected first round, No. 9, by the Minnesota Wild at the 2010 NHL Draft and has recorded 651 points (198 goals, 453 assists) in 960 regular-season games with the Wild, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars and the Ducks, along with 52 points (21 goals, 31 assists) in 89 playoff games.

The NHL also confirmed Anaheim will use four alternate captains: forwards Leo Carlsson, Alex Killorn and Troy Terry, and defenseman Jackson LaCombe. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said Granlund has shown leadership “by example” and that he exemplifies the responsibilities of a captain “on and off the ice.”

Written by Vancouver Television Sports Desk