Mikael Granlund named captain of Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have named Finnish center Mikael Granlund as the team’s new captain. The 34-year-old veteran becomes the 10th captain in the franchise's history, succeeding Radko Gudas, who departed for the Florida Panthers.

Granlund, who joined the Ducks as a free agent last year, will be supported by a group of alternate captains including Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Troy Terry, and Alex Killorn. The appointment follows a strong debut season for Granlund, where he recorded 41 points in 58 games and helped the team reach the playoffs.

The decision has sparked debate among analysts. Some, such as TSN’s Bryan Hayes, suggested that the team may have passed over Leo Carlsson for the role as a reaction to Carlsson accepting an $18 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers. However, other commentators have dismissed this as speculation, noting the team's responsibility in managing contract situations.