NHLTR Mock Trade: Blackhawks Acquire Mikael Granlund from Penguins
Today's mock deal takes us to the windy city to check in on the Chicago Blackhawks. A team looking for players for next season and salaries to get them over the cap floor, GM Kyle Davidson will be busy this summer filling up his roster.
NHLTR Mock Trade: Chicago Blackhawks acquire Mikael Granlund and a third-round pick in 2024 (via Vegas) for a seventh-round pick in 2023.
Penguins Perspective: Penguins president Kyle Dubas and Davidson have a very interesting relationship. The team were at odds a couple of seasons ago as the Blackhawks leaked Dubas' trade offer while a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It got ugly publicly but they've since made a very similar deal to offload Petr Mrazek. This time around, Granlund needs to come off the books in Pittsburgh as he was acquired last season and did not fit in at all with the team. Dubas is looking to create more cap flexibility in Pittsburgh and this will be a good way to start.
Blackhawks Perspective: The 31-year-old Granlund would be a nice pickup for the rebuilding Blackhawks as he can be inserted in the top six and play either down the middle or on the wing. His contract takes him through next season and isn't something Chicago can't afford. Davidson will be looking for hard-working veterans to mentor Bedard and company and Granlund is a player who has a great work ethic and is very professional about his business. The sweetener of a third-round pick should be enough to get the Blackhawks to bite.
Granlund is on every trade board and is a prime target to get moved. It wasn't his fault, but he was one of the many reasons Ron Hextall and company were shown the door in Pittsburgh. Granlund doesn't fit in well and will very likely be starting next season wearing a different jersey.
Photo credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
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