Ducks Sign Mikael Granlund; Announce New Assistant Coaches

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

As the NHL free agency got underway, there were plenty of teams making moves, signing and trading players. By the early afternoon the Anaheim Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek hadn’t signed anyone and some wondered if they would sign anyone today. Then the Ducks announced they had signed Mikael Granlund to a three-year deal. The total value is $21 million with a $7 AAV per Eric Stephens.

Analysis:

Granlund has been in the league for 13 years and put up 610 total points (179 G  + 431 A). He put up back-to-back 22 goal and 60+ point seasons. He played in 18 playoff games this post season and put up 10 total points (5 G + 5 A). He also recorded a hat trick back on May 13th in a 3-1 win over the Jets. His last contract he was signed to had a $5 mill AAV, so this new one is a little bit of an overpayment though his last two seasons were some of his best in his career. The Ducks also still have about $29 mil in cap space per Puck Pedia.

He is a great play maker and very good passer. He will battle for pucks in the corners. He can also contribute on the power play as he scored 10 times with the man advantage in the last two seasons. His defense is suspect at even strength play as he doesn’t always back check well and sometimes can get caught chasing the puck. He will help the Ducks offense, but he can be a liability on defense at times.

The question is where will he fit in the lineup for Anaheim. Recent comments by Verbeek suggest Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish will be the top two centers. Barring more moves, then he would likely slide in on the third line at center with this current lineup. That would result in Ryan Strome shifting to wing, which shouldn’t be an issue. Granlund could also play at wing if necessary.

Granlund does improve the Anaheim lineup, but can he move the needle enough to get the Ducks into the playoffs?

Anaheim Announces Assistant Coaches

The Ducks announced their new assistant coaches today, which include Jay Woodcroft, Ryan McGill, and Andrew Brewer. The Gulls have named Dave Manson and Michael Babcock as Assistant Coaches in San Diego.

Woodcroft has about 20 years of coaching experience in the NHL and will manage the power play. He was the head coach at Edmonton for three season posting a 79-41-13 record in 133 regular season games. Woodcroft was in the running for the Anaheim Head Coaching job and a few other openings around the league. Joining Anaheim gives the Ducks two people with head coaching experience behind the bench.

McGill has about 25 years of coaching experience in the NHL. He was recently an assistant coach for New Jersey (2022-25) and Vegas (2017-22) and he helped manage the penalty kill with both clubs. New Jersey had the second best penalty kill in 2024-25 at 82.7%. Vegas had the best penalty kill in the 2020-21 season at 86.8%. He will look to improve the Ducks shortened play.

Brewer has about 15 years of coaching experience, with 8 years in the NHL. He recently oversaw the power play and development of the players with the Utica Comets (AHL) in 2022-23. He served as the video coach from 2011 to 2014 and helped Team Canada win Gold three times. He was also the video coach with Florida (2020-22) and Detroit (2014-15).

Josh Manson‘s father with join the organization in San Diego. Dave Manson spent three season as an Assistant Coach with Edmonton from 2022-24 under Woodcroft. He focus was on the development of young defensemen while at Edmonton.

Michael Babcock, son of former Duck coach Miek Babcock, spent the last two seasons with the St. Louis Blues as the skills coach. He also oversaw the power play and defense while at the University of Saskatchewan from 2021-23.

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July 1st, 2025