The Dallas Stars made a shrewd trade by acquiring Michael Granlund and Cody Ceci from the Ottawa Senators for first- and conditional third-round picks. The move has paid off, as Granlund scored the game-winning goal against Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
In a statement, GM Jim Nill said his players had been through a lot and deserved to be rewarded with the trade. With the Stars second in their division behind Winnipeg, this move is a boost to their chances of making a deep playoff run.
Granlund has already shown chemistry with teammates Miro Heiskanen and Roope Hintz, playing alongside them in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The Finnish forward had 60 points last season for the Sharks and was on pace for more before joining the Stars.
The trade also brings a solid prospect to San Jose, allowing Nill to make a strategic move without sacrificing too much. As long as Miro Heiskanen returns from his knee injury, the Stars are a solid Cup contender.
Nill’s decision to bring Granlund in was sound, and he has already delivered four assists in his first four games with the team. With Granlund delivering game-winning goals against Sweden and potentially Canada, the Stars have gained a valuable asset to bolster their lineup.
Source: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/stars/2025/02/17/nhls-4-nations-face-off-outshines-nba-all-star-reminds-us-stars-are-d-fws-all-in-team