Canadiens and Sharks Rumored Trade Proposal Involving Mikael Granlund Emerges

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Daniel Lucente
November 5, 2024 (3:27 PM)

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The latest trade rumor circulating sees San Jose Sharks star Mikael Granlund headed east to the Montreal Canadiens, as the team looks to remain competitive.

While speaking on TVA Sports, analyst Tony Marinaro threw quite an interesting trade idea for Mikael Granlund during the week, one that can get in the way of the Montreal Canadiens. Marinaro noticed that this Montreal team needs to add more offense and veteran presence on the ice.

While the Canadiens have been in search of adding more stability and scoring punch into their lineup, Marinaro brings out how Granlund's set of skills can fit the bill for the Canadiens.
This move, according to Marinaro can add even more support to the young core in Montreal as they need someone like Granlund to show the way:

"Mikael Granlund is in the last year of his contract," continued the analyst. "He's a good offensive player, he could help the Canadiens as a second-line center."

While the Canadiens have had some promising developments with their younger forwards, there's an obvious need for an established veteran center who can bolster the offense while bringing more stability up the middle. Jake Evans has slotted in as the Canadiens' second-line center entering the year, with Christian Dvorak and Kirby Dach rounding out the center depth.

TVA Sports analyst Jean-Charles Lajoie mentioned how thin and young the center depth is:

"If Jake Evans is there, it's because Dach isn't getting the job done, it's because Dvorak isn't getting the job done, it's because [Oliver] Kapanen isn't getting the job done.. Newhook as well." said Lajoie.

This prompted Marinaro to suggest the idea of acquiring an established center from a team struggling at the bottom of the NHL and the Sharks are target number one.

But Dach's skillset is better utilized and more effective on the offensive side of things when he is playing wing and not center. Adding Mikael Granlund, as Marinaro suggests, would allow the Canadiens to do just that, give them stability down the middle while ultimately putting their younger players in a position to succeed.

Adding Granlund into the mix to a Canadiens lineup can add another interesting dynamic in Finnish NHL teammates, especially if he instantly clicks with someone like Patrik Laine. While he currently is not a member of the Canadiens, the idea of him and other Finnish teammates forming something special much like in Dallas; it's another caveat to think about for Montreal.

Someone like Granlund with his experience would bring a whole different dimension to the Montreal forwards' lineup because of his smart playmaking and a good two-way presence in building a cohesive unit.

Mikael Granlund is having a great season thus far with the Sharks, notching 14 points in 13 games including six goals. At 32, he is well-established and continuing to produce at an elite level with 60 points in 69 games last season.

With just a $5 million cap hit, with his deal expiring at the end of the season, the financial burden of adding Granlund could be highly palatable for the Canadiens. He has that experience and that skillset that would help Montreal lock down their lineup as they fight to stay competitive in an ultra-competitive division.

The suggestion by Tony Marinaro to add Mikael Granlund would be a feasible way for Montreal to add some forward depth with a little bit of added veteran presence. This year's solid production adding to his versatility makes him an attractive target for the Canadiens.

Moreover, his Finnish nationality can add great team spirit, build up relationships with some other players in the lineup, and create a type of chemistry only seen on the international ice. Based on Montreal's needs, signing Granlund gets them one step closer to a better competitive team and one step closer to bringing glory back to its franchise.