Rumor: Toronto Maple Leafs To Acquire Mikael Granlund From The Nashville Predators

The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to their hottest start in their 103 year history. They're currently first place in the North Division with a record of 18-7-2. They are on their way to being completely healthy notwithstanding the nagging injury to Auston Matthews, but they are still seeking a player who can play a physical style of game with some offensive upside.

The Nashville Predators are looking to offload players and are beginning their rebuilding process. Mattias Ekholm is on the outs and too is Mikael Granlund. The Maple Leafs are expected to acquire Granlund before the April 18th trade deadline. The Leafs looked at signing Granlund in the offseason, but he opted to remain with the Nashville Predators. He has 5 goals and 5 assists in 23 games, but his playoff-like intensity and physicality is his biggest commodity.

Granlund is currently on a 1 year deal worth $3.7 million, but he is fresh off of a $5.75 million cap hit. If the Leafs wish to trade and sign him, Evolving Hockey predicts he will be signed to a 2 year deal with a cap hit of $5.062 million. Additionally, Adam Vingan of The Athletic predicts he would play on the top line with Matthews and Marner.

What Will Granlund Cost The Leafs?

The Maple Leafs have limited cap space and would require the Predators to retain a portion of his salary. This should not be an issue, but GM David Polie has never retained salary in a trade. The Predators are in the rebuilding process and draft picks are likely their intended target. Gustav Nyquist was traded by the Detroit Red Wings in 2019 for a second and third round pick. It is not inconceivable for the Maple Leafs to make a similar deal for Granlund, according to Vingan.

Second and third round pick for a rental player with limited chances of being re-signed? It's only worth it if the Leafs can lift the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1967.

Are the Maple Leafs and Mikael Granlund a trade fit? Breaking down his game, acquisition cost, more https://t.co/5n0ciVW1hd
— Hockey Talk ❇️ (@HockeyTalkNews) March 10, 2021