San Jose Sharks
I’m Not a Big Fan of the Granlund Trade — Here’s Why

I’m not a big fan of the Mikael Granlund trade.
The San Jose Sharks sent Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci to the Dallas Stars for the Stars’ 2025 first-round pick and a conditional 2025 third-round pick today.
San Jose receives the Dallas third if the Stars make the Stanley Cup Final, and the Winnipeg Jets’ fourth if they don’t.
Granlund, 32, is a pending UFA. Their leading scorer, he was the Sharks’ go-to guy in all situations, the only player besides Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights to lead his team’s forwards in Overall, Power Play, and Short-Handed Time on Ice Per Game.
Ceci, 31, is also a pending UFA. The stay-at-home defenseman has emerged as San Jose’s No. 2 blueliner, pairing with the more offensive Jake Walman.
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier spoke after the trade, here are four takeaways.
Fair Return?
I actually think the San Jose Sharks got a fair return for Granlund and Ceci, and so did Grier.
“We valued and we set our price out, Dallas was ready to meet it,” he said. “That’s really the main reason why we did it.”
Knew this was coming. Granting has been a good scorer for us but……
Oops sorry, Granlund
I agree with your assessment, you can only do this so many times before it becomes a hindrance to the development of the young stars. Granny was the perfect guy to lead them it sounded like. Wish him the best, and wish Grier able to find someone similar to help soon.
It’s not a clear win, but I think the Sharks had to do this. It’s less than 30 games left. Hopefully the team has a clear set of goals they hope to achieve now and that is messaged clearly to the kids
I think what hasn’t been said and what struck me in Granny’s response of the trade being positive; send this deserving gem to a team that is competing for the cup and give Granny a taste of winning after losing so much in SJ.
Getting a team to give up a first round pick for him is a slick move. It sounds like GMMG caught Jim wanting to crack the market early.
Granny def was the “captain” imo but the reigns are in Celly’s hands now.
That was what I was thinking too. Sharks can start being a destination team if players know they will be treated fairly. Grier has traded the majority of these guys to competitive teams. Players see that. Grier is getting a lot of could returns for trades as well. It sucks but we are in the middle of a rebuild and it’s the way it goes. The statement about the loss of players, like granny and blacky, might affect morale. Bet your ass it will but it’s part of the game. Every team and player goes through it. I would have… Read more »
Wonder if Toewes would embrace an opportunity here? He’s probably cooked, but maybe he could fill 3rd or 4th line center & bring that leadership. You never know, maybe that trip to India got him in a good enough place physically and mentally to take on a top 6 role.
A team in a rebuild doesn’t bring in a 36-year old player who hasn’t played in 2 years, and play him over the many other players in the pipleine that are much better suited for said role. Especially when that player has his foot halfway out the door to retirement…
The rebuild is working. Two more assets will certainly help us. If we were able to package those two picks with our 2nd rounder for a top 10 1st rounder, maybe we walk away with a Schaeffer or Martone and a Misa or another Eklund.
Unless Grier can make a splash in the off-season, not convinced this was the best move. We have a lot of “young” assets but Grier said specifically this team needed to be a good mix of vets and young guns. This feels like a step backward for a hoped for two steps forward in maybe two years??? This was tougher to take than Blackwood though the Sharkies have been bad since Blackwood left. The dispassionate nature of the Granny trade discussion (not just thread) is disheartening. Shork says you gotta take emotion out of the equation but I choose not… Read more »
Grier is obviously going to make a splash and add more players that will help the team. He is collecting as many assets as he can in order to do just that Grandlund is about to turn 33 years old. Grier knows he can sign a player of his caliber or better, and one that is much younger. The Sharks are going to be in a great cap position as well very soon, so Grier is going to be able to add several notable free agents.
I almost agree with you Sheng but not here. Gotta make that trade especially for that return. No over 30 veteran from a last place team should be untouchable. Get the picks then re-sign him in the summer if he was such a great fit. An over pay on a shorter term deal should get it done.
To me, we will not know if it is a win until we see what happens with the pick and also what FA signings GMMG gets. Loved Granny here with the Sharks, and hope the best for him.
If we are putting a minor league team on the ice,the ticket prices should reflect that.
this team will be rebuilding for another ten years
Trying to hear you out here Sheng. It seems like most of your argument revolves around this short term contract that Granlund was interested in and his unique mentorship style. Leadership is certainly crucial right now, but I do wonder if his leadership is getting a bit overhyped in this article and the most recent pod. I also think this short term offer he was interested in isn’t a slam dunk. Deals like a 2x10mil don’t really happen in this league and even if his agent was open to that, I don’t think the sharks should be. Having that space… Read more »
Leadership a bit overhyped?? Come on. This has been a constant comment on Granny since almost the time he got here. Everyone’s hopeful for these picks and prospects to turn into something but I would love to see a package deal that results in acquisitions of a couple of studs, not prospected studs. If that doesn’t happen, I see three more years of pain. It’s not easy of course but I want more than hope; I want to see players and results.
1st round picks have a luster to them when the trade details come out but all the deadline deals from the past that stand out involve prospects. Would have been nice to atleast get them to throw in Aryton Martino they say he is as fast as Connor Mcdavid and he’s not considered one of their top top prospects. Hopefully Mike uses the picks to acquire more NHL ready young talent because we can’t have trades be the only thing to get excited about forever.
100% agree with Sheng on this. You;re not going to find many top 6 forwards eager to come into a rebuid and provide the tangible productivity, leadership, and mentorship that Granlund delivered. I would have preferrred a 3 x 7.5 or 2 x 8.5 deall to keep him.
Greir your amazing. Got Grandlund a Ceci over 30 an turn it into 1st rounder. My guess with this year’s Sharks 1st rounder an Barrucuda seasoning other picks next year’s group will start to form nucleus of a Sharks team that will give fans year’s of enjoyment with in a few years couple with long springs. Go Greir!!!
Hmmm; first spell his name correctly. To be a proper fanboy, got to spell it right.
So, depending on alot, how weird if Sharks were to offer Granlund a 2-year deal in the off season…
Yes this was absolutely the right move. A first-round and al 3rd/4th is a good return on these guys on expiring contracts. It’s hard to pry a first-round pick away from teams these days let alone for guys like Granlund and Ceci. Once again Mike Grier did what had to be done. Every team’s fans and media does this: overvalue your own guys and want to hang onto everybody.
the trade sent a strong message “we have a last place budget, so that’s what expectations should be”. Tells me not to get emotionally – or financially – involved in this team. Sorry Drew. I feel terrible for Macklin and Smithy. It just sucks.