Anaheim Ducks name their new captain and it's probably not who you think

Mikael Granlund has officially added another major accomplishment to what has already been a fascinating NHL career, as the veteran forward has been named the new captain of the Anaheim Ducks.

The announcement comes just days after the Ducks entered the 2026-27 season without a captain, and it gives Granlund the biggest leadership role of his NHL career at an interesting point in both his career and Anaheim's development. NHL.com had listed the Ducks as one of seven teams without a captain as recently as September 17.

For Granlund, the appointment is another chapter in a career that began when the Minnesota Wild selected him ninth overall in the 2010 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut with Minnesota during the 2012-13 season and ultimately spent seven seasons with the organization before moving on to the Nashville Predators in 2019.

Granlund's best offensive season came with Minnesota in 2016-17, when he established career highs with 26 goals, 53 assists and 69 points. He later became an important offensive contributor in Nashville before his NHL journey took him to Pittsburgh, San Jose and Dallas.

By the time Granlund arrived in Anaheim, however, he was no longer simply being brought in for his offensive ability. The Ducks signed him to a three-year contract in July 2025 after he had combined for 66 points between San Jose and Dallas during the 2024-25 season. He also helped Dallas reach the Western Conference Final that spring, recording 10 points in 18 playoff games.

His first season with the Ducks proved that he still had plenty left in the tank.

Granlund recorded 41 points in only 58 games during the 2025-26 regular season, including 19 goals and 22 assists. He also scored five goals during Anaheim's playoff run, tying for the team lead, while his 10 playoff points ranked tied for fourth on the club. Perhaps more importantly, he averaged 19:10 of ice time per game, led Anaheim forwards in that category and developed strong chemistry with young forward Beckett Sennecke.

That combination of experience and production is particularly important for an Anaheim team that is becoming increasingly young and talented. The Ducks returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2026 for the first time since 2017-18, finishing third in the Pacific Division with a 43-33-6 record before eventually losing in the second round.

Granlund's leadership credentials also extend well beyond the NHL. The Finnish forward has worn the captain's letter for Finland at multiple international tournaments, including the 2012 World Junior Championship and the 2018 and 2024 World Championships. He was also named Finland's captain for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

That international experience undoubtedly adds another layer to his new responsibilities in Anaheim.

At 34 years old, Granlund is now entering a very different stage of his career than when he was Minnesota's highly touted first-round pick. He has played more than 900 NHL games, surpassed 600 career points and experienced virtually every possible stage of professional hockey.

Now, he'll be asked to bring all of that experience to a Ducks team that believes it is ready to take the next step.

For Granlund, being named captain of Anaheim is a fitting recognition of how far his NHL career has come — and potentially one of the most important roles he has taken on since entering the league more than a decade ago.