A former NHL head coach is officially a free agent.

Paul MacLean will not return as assistant coach of the Anaheim Ducks next season in what the club described as a mutual decision following the expiration of his contract.

The 59-year-old had been a Ducks assistant since joining former Anaheim bench boss Bruce Boudreau's staff in June 2015.

MacLean spent three-plus seasons as head coach of the Ottawa Senators from 2011-14. He was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award in 2012 and 2013, but was fired in December 2014 after the Senators started 11-11-5.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.