When Mikael Granlund took a two-year, $10MM deal with San Jose in 2023, the thought was that he’d try to use the opportunity to play a prominent role and turn it into a more lucrative contract down the road. With how things have gone for him so far, he may have made the right choice.
It appears that we may soon see what type of bigger deal the veteran could earn. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period recently reported (video link) that San Jose and Granlund’s camp are expected to begin discussions about a possible contract extension next month.
Last season, the 32-year-old led the Sharks in points, tallying 12 goals and 48 assists despite only playing in 69 of 82 games. Granlund was the team leader in ice time among forwards, logging a career-best 20:58 per night which certainly helped contribute to the uptick in production. But with San Jose adding Macklin Celebrini and William Smith to their group of middlemen for this season, many assumed Granlund would have a smaller role.
That hasn’t been the case, however. Granlund’s ice time has actually ticked up slightly this season and he’s already just one goal shy of equaling his output from last season while chipping in with 22 assists. As a result, he’s once again the team leader in scoring with 33 points, six ahead of William Eklund. Clearly, there’s room for Granlund to still play a prominent role beyond this season.
But how much would an extension cost? While Granlund has a history of up-and-down production which hurts his market value, it’s fair to say he has earned a fair-size raise if he’s going to remain in this type of role. Numbers-wise, he could push for more than $6MM on another multi-year agreement.
There are two other factors to consider here, however. First, Sharks GM Mike Grier needs to weigh the value of re-signing him against the potential trade value he’d carry by the March 7th trade deadline. While San Jose doesn’t have any salary retention slots remaining, Granlund would be one of the top middlemen available and should land them a quality return. Is it worth not getting that return to keep him in the fold?
The other factor is Granlund’s role. With the Sharks, he’s a number one center. That isn’t going to be the case on many other teams who would view him as a second or even a third option. Accordingly, their offers in free agency are likely going to reflect that. With that in mind, it stands to reason that the richest offer he’s going to receive is from the Sharks. Does he go that way and remain with a rebuilding team or consider taking less to play in more of a winning environment?
With talks expected to start in a few weeks, Granlund still has ample time to ponder the answer to that question but with the Sharks fully knowing that he’s one of their top trade chips if a deal can’t be reached, they’re probably going to want an answer sooner rather than later.
Photo courtesy of Imagn Images.
Mistake! Granlund isn’t part of the Sharks future, And some misguided GM will pay up for him at the deadline. Bill Guerin comes to mind.
Granlund wouldn’t be a mistake for an acquiring team at the deadline. He’s the exact type of second tier scoring that is needed to get through the playoffs.
Let Wilf run. He’s on another Wild/Bill Guerin heater and it usually gets better with time. Gotta think that he got snubbed by Guerin for an autograph at some point.
Extension, why? He turns 33 in 2 months. Cash in.
You still need solid Vets on a developing team, need to have guys that speak up in the locker room and can help the young guys develop how to be a real pro
After being kicked to the curb by Pittsburgh, there also has to be some measure of being in a place where he feels wanted.
I’m kind of ambivalent. On one hand, Granlund has been a leader on that team, and Will Smith is really not stepping up to the plate and being that 2nd line centre he was projected to be. On the other, why not cash in while he’s playing arguably the best of his career?
I don’t think either choice is wrong. But I’d prefer a contract at 3 years or less.
He signed his current four-year contract with Nashville before being traded twice.
This is kinda insane. They still have Cootch coming back at some point and picked up Wennberg – both on bad contracts that will be hard to trade. Absolutely trade Granlund as there are C coming out their ears when you add the two kids and other 4th liners. Goodrow, Tofolli and Couture is plenty of veteran leadership… sell high and get another 1st rounder
Couture will never come back. It will never happen. It’s sad that he just doesn’t retire and give them the C for someone on the ice.
A player does not hold the C hostage so don’t let it make you sad. It’s only hockey.
Even if Cootch is done, Cellebrini is 1C, Smith should be 2C soon enough, Wennberg 3C, where does Granlund fit? We still have a depleted prospect pool on D. Could use another couple of young top 4 D men. Gotta give to get.
Lock him in as 2nd-line C for the next 3 years. Has the skill the play with any prospect/future Star we pair him with. Provides veteran leadership (and completes the countryman “Lund” line with Eklund & Zetterlund).
Building trust and goodwill with your players goes a long, long way as you work to establish a dynasty – treating players like a commodity and trading every chance you get will only cause players to see the organization as an employer rather than a “family” like the Sharks of old were.
I’d extend Granlund and trade him and Will Smith to Minne, For Matt Boldy.
Interesting proposition for San Jose.
If he’s going to get you a 1st and more, you might want to move him at the deadline.
You also need to have popular veteran NHL players who can actually produce on rebuilding teams (look at the spark Laine brought to Montreal, for example) and Granlund’s been a great fit there. What you don’t want is to overcommit on years, so you’re stuck giving out assets to get rid of the contract. 3 years makes a lot of sense.
Exciting to see how this plays out, he’s absolutely going to be in high demand.
Everything posted here needs to be taken with a HUGE grain of salt because the beginning of the article tells me the writer has 0 clue about anything sharks. Granlund was acquired by the Sharks as part of the Karlsson trade. He was a cap casualty throw in that the sharks took on that they hoped would turn his career around in which he obviously did. He did not sign a 2 year contract with the Sharks. Anyone that follows the sharks at all should know that.
As for Granlund there should be 3 potentials in a specific order.
1 – sign him if he is in the range MG is comfortable with (years and AAV)
2 – He wants to sign but wants to win. Work on a deal and then trade him where he wants to go to try and win one. It’s a gamble but the faith given will hopefully get him to come back and sign at the start of UFA.
3 – He doesn’t want to stay or wants way too much, move him to the highest bidder
That’s what I hope is MGs order as he has been great for the kids as they develop.