The Anaheim Ducks have signed forward Sean Farrell to a one-year, two-way contract. This deal comes on the heels of Anaheim’s acquisition of Farrell in a deal that sent winger Sasha Pastujov back to the Montreal Canadiens. Farrell’s contract will carry a $850K salary in the NHL and $155K salary in the AHL per PuckPedia.
Farrell will secure a year in the Ducks organization with this contract. He spent the last three seasons trying, unsuccessfully, to gain favor in Montreal. His first pro season in 2023-24 was marked by quiet results – just nine goals and 28 points in 47 AHL games.
He improved on those numbers in each of the last two seasons, climbing to 44 points in 67 games then 53 points in 72 games. That was enough to secure a bona fide role in the Laval Rocket’s top-six but couldn’t earn Farrell a shot in the NHL lineup. To this day, his only stint in the Canadiens lineup came immediately after he signed his entry-level contract at the end of Harvard University’s 2022-23 season.
Farrell totaled one goal in six games with Montreal.
The 2020 fourth-round selection has built a lofty resume despite muted pro results. He passed the 100-point mark in his final season in the USHL, then pursued a collegiate career that ended with a Hobey Baker finalist spot after he posted 53 points in 34 games of Harvard’s 2022-23 season. Farrell also appeared with Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics, where he scored six points in four games, and at the World Championship in 2022 and 2023, where he combined for eight points in 20 games.
Team USA did not medal at any of those events.
Next season will offer Farrell the chance to jump from a new platform. The Ducks have a thin bottom-six, with newcomer A.J. Greer and prospects Nathan Gaucher and Tim Washe vying for nightly roles.
Farrell could force his way above all three if he is able to prove his offensive output during training camp. If not, he will head for new colors in the minor-leagues, where he has proven an ability to fill a reliable, second-line role. Farrell’s biggest competition could be former USHL teammate Sam Colangelo.