Sharks trade Mikael Granlund, Cody Ceci to Stars for draft picks
The Dallas Stars have made a big splash, acquiring forward Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Dallas’ 2025 first-rounder and Winnipeg’s 2025 fourth-rounder.
If the Stars reach the final, the pick becomes a 2025 third-round selection.
Trade details confirmed:
To #TexasHockey: Mikeal Granlund, Cody Ceci
To #SJSharks: 2025 DAL 1st Round Pick, Cond. 2025 WPG 4th Round Pick that can upgrade to 2025 3rd Round if Dallas advances to 2025 Stanley Cup Final.
First to report: @KevinWeekes, @DarrenDreger with details.
Granlund, 32, was considered to be one of the top trade targets this season. The Finnish forward has 15 goals and 45 points in 52 games, giving him an on-pace track of 69 points. That would tie his career-best out with the Minnesota Wild dating back to 2016-17.
Granlund is coming off an impressive 60-point campaign with San Jose last year, a nice boost from his 41 between Nashville and Pittsburgh the year before. He often struggled in five seasons with Nashville, and had just five points in 21 games with Pittsburgh two years ago. But Granlund has blasted past the 60-point mark four times already, and looks destined to do it again. His ice time might fall a bit given he won’t need to be one of Dallas’ top play-drivers, but he should give the team another legitimate scoring winger that they definitely needed.
Stars use up a huge chunk of their LTIR space taking on Granlund and Ceci at full boat – one of only teams that could afford to do that.
And it was a must for San Jose, who had no salary retention spots left, but still got a real solid return considering that limitation.
Internationally, Granlund has 54 points in 57 games with Finland at the World Championship, winning gold twice and silver once. He also took part in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, taking home bronze.
Granlund is in the final year of a four-year contract, paying him $5 million per season. Earlier in the day, the Stars put both Nils Lundkvist and Tyler Seguin on long-term injured reserve, allowing them to exceed the cap by around $12.3 million.
Ceci, meanwhile, was in his first season with the Sharks. He has 15 points in 54 games, giving him a 23-point pace – on par for his typical production. Ceci had 25 points in 79 games with the Edmonton Oilers last year en route to his first Stanley Cup final appearance. The 31-year-old has 226 points in 840 career games over 12 NHL seasons, and he will be a pending UFA at the end of the season.
Ceci’s acquisition comes in the wake of the season-ending injury to Lundkvist and Miro Heiskanen’s ailment that’ll keep him out week-to-week.