Peter Baugh of The Athletic has linked Dallas Stars forward Mikael Granlund to the New York Rangers. If the team is to improve its center depth, they'll need to make a splash in order to acquire him.![Mikael Granlund]()
Mikael Granlund has been on a tear since his short-stint in San Jose. On a rebuilding team he found his game again, and has found himself a subject of demand.
This season, he was moved to the Dallas Stars after playing two successful seasons in San Jose.
Now, in the playoffs with the Stars, he's taken full advantage of the opportunity to be a key contributor, playing opposite Roope Hintz.
«The San Jose Sharks traded Granlund to Dallas ahead of the deadline,» Baugh wrote. «He can play both center and wing and is on the left of a line with Roope Hintz and Mikko Rantanen. The 33-year-old would not make the Rangers any younger, but his age could make him a little more affordable in free agency.
«As is the case with the other free agents on this section of the list, New York would almost certainly need to move money to have the space for Granlund,» Baugh added. «AFP Analytics projects he will get a two-year, $4.9 million average-annual-value deal, only a slight decrease from his current cap hit.»
«As is the case with the other free agents on this section of the list, New York would almost certainly need to move money to have the space for Granlund,» Baugh added. «AFP Analytics projects he will get a two-year, $4.9 million average-annual-value deal, only a slight decrease from his current cap hit.»
Granlund is a flexible player, who could shift from center to wing with easy and add some flexibility to the Rangers lineup.
Granlund's a pending UFA and is making only $5 million AAV at the moment, as his $20 million contract ends at the conclusion of the season.
It's doubtful his next contract could be much more than his current $5M deal is now. The Ranger should consider sending Granlund an offer to add some meaningful depth score in the middle of the lineup.
In anticipation of the Rangers' cap space and an urgent need to sign RFAs, GM Chris Drury could subtract multiple players from the lineup to make it work.
