On Saturday, the Dallas Stars took decisive action to bolster their chances for the upcoming NHL postseason, announcing the acquisition of center Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks. This trade, finalized well before the March trade deadline, sees Dallas parting with their 2025 first-round pick along with a conditional third-round pick, establishing the Stars as proactive contenders for the Stanley Cup.
The Stars’ general manager, Jim Nill, addressed the move, stating, “We are excited to welcome both Mikael and Cody to Dallas. We see both players as addressing immediate needs for our team — Mikael is a proven scorer who will bolster our forward group at both even strength and on the power play, and Cody will add a stabilizing and physical presence to our blueline.” This optimism is warranted, especially as the Stars entered Saturday with 67 points, sitting second in the Central Division, and are seeking to fend off competition from the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche.
Granlund, 32, has been highlighted as San Jose’s leading scorer this season, recording 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) across 52 games. His expertise as the team’s number one center and his average playtime of around 20 minutes per game reflect the high stakes involved even during the team’s rebuild. Granlund, who joined San Jose as part of the Erik Karlsson trade last August, will now join the Stars where his scoring abilities are expected to have immediate benefits.
Defensively, Ceci, 31, brings significant experience, having already logged 21:46 of ice time on average this season, the most since his 2018-19 tenure. He excelled as part of San Jose's top defensive pairing and leads the Sharks with 100 blocked shots this season. Having played 88 playoff games throughout his career, Ceci’s presence is anticipated to bring depth to the Stars’ blue line, particularly with Miro Heiskanen’s recent injury complications.
This trade is particularly timely as the Stars deal with the absence of Tyler Seguin due to hip surgery, and Miro Heiskanen's uncertain recovery timeline after his knee injury. Nill remains optimistic about Seguin's potential return for the playoffs, but the immediate focus is on ensuring the team has sufficient depth and vigor to make the push.
The Sharks, meanwhile, continue their rebuild by trading away top assets, securing draft picks to aid future team development. Sharks general manager Mike Grier noted, “The playoffs are awesome... There’s so much weight to all the games.” This sentiment rings true as the Sharks, currently struggling at the bottom of the league, focus on building talent, including their 2024 No. 1 pick, Macklin Celebrini.
Grier expressed confidence in acquiring significant draft assets, noting the addition of eight picks for the upcoming draft, with three slated for the first two rounds. The trade positions the Sharks well as they prepare for the future, albeit at the cost of conceding short-term competitiveness.
Granlund and Ceci's exits mark significant departures from San Jose, emphasizing the Sharks’ shift away from veteran players to cultivate newer talent. Granlund’s contributions to the younger players during his time included invaluable guidance, mentoring prospects like William Eklund and Macklin Celebrini, enhancing their integration and gameplay.
Next week, Granlund and Ceci will return to San Jose as the Stars visit the Sharks, setting the stage for what could be emotional reunions for the traded players as they don their new colors against their former team. The expectations for Granlund and Ceci will be high as both players step onto the ice for the Stars, already contending for the postseason amid intense competition.
Overall, this trade not only fills gaps for the Stars with multifaceted players like Granlund and Ceci, but it also signals the Sharks’ commitment to long-term growth rather than immediate success, showcasing the multifaceted nature of roster management within the league.