The Nashville Predators have reportedly come to terms with free-agent forward Mikael Granlund. Granlund signed a one year deal worth $3.75 million. The contract will carry him through the 2020-21 season.
G R A N N Y. https://t.co/q6WQGXlbJI
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 23, 2020
Nashville Predators Sign Mikael Granlund
This past season with the Nashville Predators, Granlund scored 17 goals and 13 assists for 30 points in 63 games. He was acquired by the Predators prior to the 2018-19 trade deadline in exchange for Kevin Fiala.
Over his career, Granlund has scored 111 goals and added 241 assists for 352 points in 540 games.
Granlund was originally drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the first round, ninth overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
What This Means for the Future
Getting Granlund under contract is a significant addition to the organization. Granlund brings a solid two-way presence to the lineup capable of playing both special teams. Granlund can bring solid production offensively as he has proven during his time with the Wild. During Granlund’s final two full seasons with the Wild, he scored over 20 goals and 60 points in both seasons. His final season with the club, he 15 goals and 49 points in 63 games before being dealt to the Predators. His production dipped with the Predators, however, we can chalk it up to just being a bad fit rather than a player regressing.
At 28 years old, Granlund is still in his prime and can certainly bounce back from the down year he had with the Predators. His skill set makes him valuable on both ends of the ice so even when he’s not producing, he is capable of playing a shutdown role for his club. He also brings versatility as he is capable of playing both wings as well as centre. This makes him an extremely valuable asset moving forward. This signing could be the biggest steal of the offseason if Granlund performs the way he did during his time with the Wild.
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