Speculation: Mikael Granlund looking for next team as an UFA

[Gurglesons]

Why is that confusing?

He was a great leader and mentor here, extremely productive and they are in need of reaching the cap floor.

It's a fairly simple concept.

Because he's 33.

 

[Patty Ice]

Because he's 33.

And a young team don't need vets?

They aren't investing an obscene number of years.

 

[Cloned]

Gonna sign with Oilers for cheap.

 

[57special]

He's a good player who had a vg season. He's a much better defensive player than he used to be, has nice hands, and can get on the scoresheet. Smart, average speed, superb passer. Not physical, but gritty...surprisingly effective at winning puck battles.

In today's rising cap climate, he might get 3/4 x 7M+ - maybe a tad less if he goes to a strong contender if he decides he wants a shot at a Cup.

 

[Gurglesons]

And a young team don't need vets?

They aren't investing an obscene number of years.

4 years is a lot of years..?

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Nvm we don’t have money.

 

[Shocker]

4 years is a lot of years..?

For Sharks? Not really.

 

[Gurglesons]

For Sharks? Not really.

Expectation for Sharks is to start the actually building.

Granlund was fine for the last two years. I'd be shocked if they offer him a deal like that.

 

[Patty Ice]

4 years is a lot of years..?

When do you expect the Sharks to be strapped for cap space?

The cap is going to be rising a lot the next couple of years. Live in the now.

 

[Gurglesons]

When do you expect the Sharks to be strapped for cap space?

The cap is going to be rising a lot the next couple of years. Live in the now.

Grier seems way too smart to make a deal like that.

 

[Patty Ice]

Expectation for Sharks is to start the actually building.

Granlund was fine for the last two years. I'd be shocked if they offer him a deal like that.

Here's an article a month before he was traded. There's a real possibility you could be shocked.

What Could Granlund’s New Contract Look Like? Can Sharks Afford To Lose Pending UFA? (+)

Mikael Granlund likes it in San Jose. Ryan Warsofsky wants him to stay. But how much will it cost the San Jose Sharks to keep the pending UFA? And can they afford to pass up a serious trade offer for the 32-year-old center? “I’ve liked my time here,” Granlund said. There’s an argument that the […]

sanjosehockeynow.com

 

[ClydeLee]

Expectation for Sharks is to start the actually building.

Granlund was fine for the last two years. I'd be shocked if they offer him a deal like that.

No it isn't. Expectations for who? Like that one poster here who made a thread saying Grier should be fired if they don't make the playoffs.

But that's not the case for the result of the world. Year 3-4 of that deal they may be feeling playoff ready. With lots of assists built up if hes really a contract issue, not likely, he can be sent off.

 

[Gurglesons]

Here's an article a month before he was traded. There's a real possibility you could be shocked.

What Could Granlund’s New Contract Look Like? Can Sharks Afford To Lose Pending UFA? (+)

Mikael Granlund likes it in San Jose. Ryan Warsofsky wants him to stay. But how much will it cost the San Jose Sharks to keep the pending UFA? And can they afford to pass up a serious trade offer for the 32-year-old center? “I’ve liked my time here,” Granlund said. There’s an argument that the […]

sanjosehockeynow.com

AFP has him at 2 x 5 mil.

 

[Gurglesons]

No it isn't. Expectations for who? Like that one poster here who made a thread saying Grier should be fired if they don't make the playoffs.

But that's not the case for the result of the world. Year 3-4 of that deal they may be feeling playoff ready. With lots of assists built up if hes really a contract issue, not likely, he can be sent off.

You think Sharks management is content with them tanking again next year?

They've got the prospect pool and haven't made the playoffs in 6 years.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

What do you all think Mikael Granlund’s next move is for the 2025-26 season? He honestly doesn’t get enough credit - super smart player, responsible in all three zones, great passer, and one of those guys who just makes the right play more often than not. You can pair him with basically anyone and he reliably delivers. Coaches love him for a reason.

He quietly had a solid year in San Jose despite the chaos around him and contributed even better in Dallas with much more skilled players.

Even though he is 33, he still looks like a guy who can contribute in a middle-six role, run a second PP unit, and kill penalties. Just a high-IQ, team-first player who’s been adaptable wherever he’s gone. Feels like the perfect signing for a playoff team that wants to add versatility and depth scoring behind 1st. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Dallas keep him around as a veteran anchor for the young guys.

Where do you see him ending up and with what kind of contract? My own prediction is that he stays in Dallas with 2-3 years x $5M AAV.

I’d take him in Montreal hands down. 2C with Demidov would be exciting.

 

[Patty Ice]

AFP has him at 2 x 5 mil.

Ok but the Sharks have a long way to reach the cap floor. I'm sure they are ok spending over projected contracts for a guy respected in the locker room.

 

[Gurglesons]

Ok but the Sharks have a long way to reach the cap floor. I'm sure they are ok spending over projected contracts for a guy respected in the locker room.

Just doesn't seem like it's in Greir's make up to do that IMO.

I guess I could see 8 mil x 2.

 

[matt trick]

4 years is a lot of years..?

Meh- $40M in cap space. $18M of effectively dead cap in the form of Couture, Vlasic, Jones, Karlsson, and Hertl that will be down to $1.5M in 2 years, and gone in 3.

First two years of that Celebrini, Smith, Askarov will be making $4M+ bonuses. In year 3, Tofolli is off the books when Dickinson likely needs a raise. At that point it's Eklund, Celebrini, Smith, Askarov, Granny (final year) on a big contract, plus whatever free agents or trades bring talent in. #2 OA is likely due a new contract when 37 year old Granny is retiring.

Not saying he's worth it (I'd prefer 3), but unlikely the Sharks will be spending that money on anyone else. Why not add a top 6 forward to support Celebrini and Smith through their sophomore and junior seasons before he moves into a third line wing role (perhaps supporting the 2026 1st rounder in their rookie season)? If we don't overpay Granny, we're really going to have to overpay Tavares, Nelson, Ehlers, or Marner. The latter two will require 7 years.

You think Sharks management is content with them tanking again next year?

They've got the prospect pool and haven't made the playoffs in 6 years.

Grier said it's highly unlikely we offer 6-7 years to any FAs. He waffled ever so slightly which some sharks fans project as we're not offering anyone but blank 6-7 years. Blank probably is 1-2 of Marner, Ekblad, Gavrikov, and Ehlers. Probably not Ehlers, maybe only one of them.

If you're not signing premier UFAs, you're looking at adding something like Fabbro, Granlund, and maybe a cap casualty like Marchment/Dumba. Maybe Dickinson makes the team- Cherny, Musty, Bystedt, and #2 overall are unlikely to. We're still going to be bottom 5 next year even with a dream offseason. Maybe not tanking, but we all expect to be bad.

I think management wants to improve, but having moved Granlund, Walman, Ceci, Zetterlund, and Blackwood (and only having Askarov as a ready-made replacement- who honestly won't be as good as a rookie), we've got a hill climb just to get to our pre-deadline point pace.

 

[Gurglesons]

Meh- $40M in cap space. $18M of effectively dead cap in the form of Couture, Vlasic, Jones, Karlsson, and Hertl that will be down to $1.5M in 2 years, and gone in 3.

First two years of that Celebrini, Smith, Askarov will be making $4M+ bonuses. In year 3, Tofolli is off the books when Dickinson likely needs a raise. At that point it's Eklund, Celebrini, Smith, Askarov, Granny (final year) on a big contract, plus whatever free agents or trades bring talent in. #2 OA is likely due a new contract when 37 year old Granny is retiring.

Not saying he's worth it (I'd prefer 3), but unlikely the Sharks will be spending that money on anyone else. Why not add a top 6 forward to support Celebrini and Smith through their sophomore and junior seasons before he moves into a third line wing role (perhaps supporting the 2026 1st rounder in their rookie season)? If we don't overpay Granny, we're really going to have to overpay Tavares, Nelson, Ehlers, or Marner. The latter two will require 7 years.


Grier said it's highly unlikely we offer 6-7 years to any FAs. He waffled ever so slightly which some sharks fans project as we're not offering anyone but blank 6-7 years. Blank probably is 1-2 of Marner, Ekblad, Gavrikov, and Ehlers. Probably not Ehlers, maybe only one of them.

If you're not signing premier UFAs, you're looking at adding something like Fabbro, Granlund, and maybe a cap casualty like Marchment/Dumba. Maybe Dickinson makes the team- Cherny, Musty, Bystedt, and #2 overall are unlikely to. We're still going to be bottom 5 next year even with a dream offseason. Maybe not tanking, but we all expect to be bad.

I think management wants to improve, but having moved Granlund, Walman, Ceci, Zetterlund, and Blackwood (and only having Askarov as a ready-made replacement- who honestly won't be as good as a rookie), we've got a hill climb just to get to our pre-deadline point pace.

I think to your point it's far more likely you see Grier target cap casualties or pay picks or prospects for flippable pieces that add to the team versus a Granlund.

 

[Patty Ice]

Just doesn't seem like it's in Greir's make up to do that IMO.

I guess I could see 8 mil x 2.

I can too and personally it would be ideal but if he's looking for more term if I'm Grier I am comfortable offering 2 more years.

 

[ThePlanet]

$7.5M feels like what his free market rate would be. Don't see that as an overpay.
Regardless whether it is the right play, I want him signed in Detroit just so they are one step closer to the all-Swedes Lidstromplan.
Oops, he's a Finn

 

[Petes2424]

People aren’t talking about Granlund enough. He’s going to find lots of suitors, looking for that 2C, as they wait on kids to take that spot permanently, because he can play a variety of other roles as well, if he’s not the 2C.

He had a really good playoff and put up 66 points this year.

Duchene is going to find more interest than he has recently too. It’s gonna be tough for Dallas to keep either.

 

[n8]

Ok but the Sharks have a long way to reach the cap floor. I'm sure they are ok spending over projected contracts for a guy respected in the locker room.

Finally, M.E. Vlasic's contract has become an asset!

 

[Benstheman]

Habs will absolutely be interested and can afford to give him the 4 years he will ask.

He fits exactly the timeline for a stopgap until Hage can take the 2C spot. And we have the cap space to pay what he is worth.

 

[Djp]

Depends on term but there no argument here. Just saying a 60+ point UFA is getting north of $7M AAV.

Hes not a 60pt player onmost teams. Those teams aren't giving him more than 5. He goes t o chicago% san jose then t hey might give him that opportunity.