Penguins get Mikael Granlund in business with Predators

The Pittsburgh Penguins have gained some forward depth through the trade in Nashville Predators veteran Mikael Granlund, the team announced Wednesday. Pittsburgh is sending a 2023 second-round draft pick to Nashville as part of the deal. The Predators took nothing from Granlund’s salary.

Granlund, 31, gives the penguins a flexible piece they can slide into a series of roles. His speed allows him to move up and down the lineup and he can feature on special teams when needed.

“Mikael is a versatile forward who can play either wing or center and can contribute offensively,” Penguins general manager Ron Hextall said in a press release. “He has experience in both powerplay and penalty shootouts and can add options to our line-up.”

The 2010 first-round draft pick has nine goals and 27 assists in 58 games with the Predators this year. After that season with a $5 million cap hit, he has two more seasons under contract.

Pittsburgh is clinging to the final wildcard position in the Eastern Conference playoff race and is in danger of missing the postseason for the first time since Sidney Crosby’s rookie campaign.

Nashville appears to be looking to the future, having already sidelined defender and franchise regular Mattias Ekholm and forwards Nino Niederreiter and Tanner Jeannot in recent days.

President and General Manager David Poile announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season and handed over the GM keys to former Predators head coach Barry Detroit. These moves give Defiance some flexibility to put their own stamp on the roster. The Predators are also loaded with 13 picks in the 2023 draft, which will take place June 28-29 in Nashville.

The Predators are currently eight points off a postseason berth with 24 games remaining.