IRVINE, Calif. – After a week of departures, the Anaheim Ducks made a solid addition on Tuesday afternoon, bringing in one of the league’s top free agent targets.

Anaheim signed 33-year-old Finnish center Mikael Granlund to a three-year contract on the opening day of free agency, with the deal reportedly coming in at $7 million per season.

Granlund provides stability to the Ducks’ middle six forward with back-to-back 60-point campaigns and three in the last four seasons. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound forward split last season between the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars, with five goals and five assists in 18 playoff games with Dallas after being acquired at the trade deadline.

“Very versatile player,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. “He was really good on face-offs last year. He was operating at 66% last year (in Dallas). Pretty stout. He can kill penalties. He can play on the power play. He really can go up and down the lineup. I thought he had a really good playoff for the Dallas Stars. Someone that can play really good minutes in a tough environment. Just really excited overall to get him.”

Verbeek had previously said that Anaheim was looking to play hard and fast under new head coach Joel Quenneville, and that the Ducks were looking to retool the roster for more cohesive fits with players that better complement the attributes of their linemates. Verbeek believes that Granlund is another piece to that puzzle.

“He’s what I consider a hard worker. He goes to the hard areas. Something that we needed more of,” Verbeek said. “Not afraid to be a netfront presence guy. He’s a guy that hangs on the pucks in the corners for more puck possessions. He’s a very smart hockey player. 
I would say skating is above average. Just a really good player.”

Granlund is fourth in points and second in assists among active Finnish players and represented his country in the 4 Nations Face-Off last February.

Many of the league’s top prospective free agent targets were taken off the board before the signing period began on Tuesday with several re-signings populating the news on Monday, including the highlight of a sign-and-trade with the leagues’ No. 1 free agent target–Mitch Marner. The former Toronto Maple Leaf was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights after inking an 8-year extension.

The best remaining open target is former Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Ehlers will be taking his time with the process. Rumors have the Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning pining after his services.