The Pittsburgh Penguins are acquiring center Mikael Granlund from the Nashville Predators for a 2023 second-round draft pick, the teams announced Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Granlund is signed for the 2024-25 season and has an average annual value of $5 million.
- Granlund has recorded nine goals and 27 assists in 58 games this season.
- Granlund was in his fifth season with the Predators.
- The Penguins (30-21-9) sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division.
backstory
Granlund was drafted 9th pick to the Minnesota Wild in the 2010 NHL Draft. He spent seven seasons with the Wild before being traded to the Predators at the close of trading in the 2018-19 season.
In his career, Granlund’s has played 729 games, scoring 144 goals and providing 335 assists.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
How does Granlund fit into Pittsburgh?
The Penguins bottom six were among the worst in the NHL all season. In recent days, general manager Ron Hextall has been remaking it — whether for the better remains to be seen.
By forgoing Kasperi Kapanen and Brock McGinn and trading in Teddy Blueger, the Penguins have created enough prorated salary cap space to land Granlund, a 31-year-old forward who could play either at center or as a winger, but likely in will stand on the third line of Pittsburgh.
Was the addition of Granlund worth parting with Kapanen, McGinn and Blueger? He’s scored nine goals this season, compared to 19 total by that trio when they were Penguins.
Where Granlund fits remains a mystery. Would he oust Jeff Carter as a center? It’s hard to see that happening unless Carter switches to the wing. —Rossi
Granlund’s cap hit
What’s odd about the addition of Granlund is his $5 million cap hit for each of the next two seasons. The Penguins have somehow rid themselves of Kapanen’s remaining year at $3.2 million, but have added money to their cap going forward.
It’s a puzzling move, especially considering the Penguins have been so cash-strapped this season that caps have left them unable to promote many of their top contenders. —Rossi
What you say
“Mikael is a versatile forward who can play both on the wing and in the middle and contribute offensively,” Hextall said. “He has experience in both powerplay and penalty shootouts and can add options to our line-up.”
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(Photo: Stan Szeto / USA Today)