Granlund Injury: ‘Might Be Out a Little Bit’

Mikael Granlund plays a big man’s game, but unfortunately, the 5-foot-10 center paid for it tonight in Chicago.

Exchanging the puck with Mario Ferraro, Granlund was hammered in the corner by Mackenzie Entwistle.

Favoring right shoulder https://t.co/PSRUoQcnb0

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 17, 2024

Granlund skated off, apparently favoring his right shoulder, and went into the San Jose Sharks’ locker room. He did not return.

If Granlund misses any time, it would be a significant blow for San Jose.

“Not sure yet what the prognosis will be,” head coach David Quinn said after the 2-1 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks,  “but might be out a little bit.”

In a lost season for the San Jose Sharks, Granlund’s revival has been one of the bright spots. The 31-year-old centerman struggled last season with 10 goals and 31 assists with the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins. It was an especially tough beat in the Steel City, where the Trade Deadline acquisition had just five points in 21 games and the Pens just missed the playoffs.

With two more years at $5 million AAV left in his contract, he was considered a cap dump in the San Jose Sharks trade of Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh. In a three-way trade that also included the Montreal Canadiens, Granlund came to San Jose with veterans Jan Rutta and Mike Hoffman, and a 2024 top-10 protected first-round pick.

Granlund got off to a slow start in teal, bothered by a nagging lower-body injury. But since Nov. 25, he leads the San Jose Sharks with 25 points in just 24 games. For the season, he has five goals and 24 assists in 37 contests.

The Sharks, finishing a five-game road trip tonight in Chicago, aren’t scheduled to practice tomorrow. So we’re not likely to get a significant Granlund update until Thursday.