The Dallas Stars entered the season with Stanley Cup hopes, and their 33-17-1 record suggests they’re one of the NHL’s finest teams. However, the Stars have lost Tyler Seguin and Nils Lundkvist for the rest of the regular season, and they are currently missing Miro Heiskanen as well.
The Stars knew they needed reinforcements if they were to compete for the Stanley Cup, so GM Jim Nill went to work, acquiring Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci in a deal with the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. This deal happened just one week after Mikko Rantanen was moved to the Carolina Hurricanes, and less than 24 hours after the Vancouver Canucks made two big moves.
With the NHL Trade Deadline still one month away, things are heating up.
While Granlund and Ceci are obvious fits in Dallas, the Stars paid a high price for the trade, giving up a first-round pick and a conditional third-round pick to the Sharks.
The centerpiece of this trade is Mikael Granlund, who is in the midst of one of the best seasons of his career. Despite playing for a struggling Sharks team, the 32-year-old has managed 15 goals and 30 assists for 45 points in 52 games. Granlund’s versatility makes him a valuable addition to the Stars, as he can contribute in all situations—at even strength, on the power play, and even on the penalty kill.
Also heading to Dallas is veteran defenseman Cody Ceci, who provides stability on the blue line. With Chris Tanev departing in free agency and injuries to Miro Heiskanen and Nils Lundkvist, the Stars had a clear need for a right-handed defenseman, making Ceci a logical target.
While both players are solid fits for Dallas, there are concerns. The biggest issue is that both are on expiring contracts. While Ceci’s role as a bottom-pair defenseman minimizes that concern, Granlund is too impactful of a player for the Stars to trade for only to potentially lose him in free agency. Additionally, neither player came cheap.
From San Jose’s perspective, the trade is a win. While losing Granlund is significant—his presence undoubtedly helped the development of their young players—acquiring an unprotected first-round pick and a conditional third-round pick (which could become a second if Dallas reaches the Stanley Cup Final) was too good to pass up. Given that both Granlund and Ceci were likely to leave as free agents, cashing in for future assets was a smart move.
The Sharks remain one of the NHL’s worst teams, but this trade adds more valuable draft capital to their rebuilding efforts. It’s a short-term loss that could pay off significantly in the long run.
As for Dallas, their aggressiveness is commendable, but giving up a first-round pick—and potentially a third—for two rentals carries considerable risk. If the Stars win the Stanley Cup, the trade is justified. However, if they fall short and Granlund walks in free agency, they may regret the move. Still, with Granlund playing at such a high level, the gamble could pay off. At the same time, San Jose’s ability to turn expiring contracts into quality draft picks reflects excellent work by GM Mike Grier.
Leave a Reply