The Dallas Stars have made a significant move by acquiring center Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks on Saturday as part of a series of trades occurring around the NHL.
Dallas sent a first-round pick for 2025 along with a conditional third-round pick to San Jose in exchange for Granlund and Ceci just days ahead of the NHL’s break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. If the Stars fail to reach the Stanley Cup Final, the third-round pick will be converted to a fourth-rounder.
“We are thrilled to have both Mikael and Cody joining the Stars,” stated Jim Nill, the general manager of Dallas. “We believe these acquisitions fulfill critical needs for our squad. Mikael is a reliable scorer who will enhance our offensive lineup at even strength and on the power play, while Cody will provide a stabilizing and physical element to our defense. Their prior playoff experiences will be invaluable as the season progresses, and we’re eager to see how they contribute.”
This trade follows closely after Vancouver traded J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers while also acquiring Marcus Pettersson and Danton Heinen from Pittsburgh in a series of interlinked transactions. Earlier, Calgary secured forwards Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost from Philadelphia on Thursday night.
In another major trade last week, Colorado, Chicago, and Carolina collaborated on a deal that brought Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to the Hurricanes, while Martin Necas was sent to the Avalanche.
“There’s been a surge in trades lately,” remarked Sharks GM Mike Grier during a video call with the media. “Whether it’s due to the impending break or the approach of the trade deadline, teams are trying to get ahead of the curve.”
Granlund, soon turning 33 on Feb. 26, adds much-needed depth for the injury-stricken Stars, especially with Tyler Seguin sidelined long-term due to hip surgery. Additionally, winger Mason Marchment was placed on injured reserve on Saturday, backdated to Dec. 31.
Ceci, who is 31 years old, also strengthens the defense line amid concerns for the team’s top defender, Miro Heiskanen, who is considered week-to-week with a lower-body issue. Further complicating their defensive woes, Nill reported that Nils Lundkvist will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
“They were very proactive in going after both players,” Grier assessed. “Many teams showed interest as both are strong players and great individuals. Ultimately, we were able to secure what we wanted, making it a necessary transaction.”
Grier acknowledged the slight worry about Granlund’s potential injury risk while playing for Finland during the 4 Nations tournament, but he emphasized that the trade’s return was a compelling factor driving the decision.
“In an ideal scenario, I might have preferred to keep Granlund and Ceci until closer to the trade deadline so we could benefit from their presence a bit longer,” he expressed, referencing another trade involving Mackenzie Blackwood in December. “However, the market started to heat up recently, and we seized the opportunity that presented itself.”
With the completion of this trade, the Sharks are now positioned with eight draft picks for the upcoming selection, including two first-round choices. If Dallas is eliminated before reaching the finals, the Sharks will also receive a fourth-round pick from Winnipeg.
Stars obtain Granlund and Ceci from Sharks amid recent NHL trade frenzy
