Granlund traded to Penguins by Predators

Mikael Granlund was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins by the Nashville Predators on Wednesday for a second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

The 31-year-old forward is in the second season of a four-year, $20 million contract he signed with Nashville on July 28, 2021. He has 36 points (nine goals, 27 assists) in 58 games this season.

“Mikael is a versatile forward, able to play either wing or center and contribute offensively,” Penguins general manager Ron Hextall said. “He has experience on both the power play and penalty kill and can add options to our lineup.”

Selected by the Minnesota Wild with the No. 9 pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, Granlund has 479 points (144 goals, 335 assists) in 729 regular-season games with the Wild and Predators, and 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 59 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The Penguins (30-21-9) hold the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference, one point behind the New York Islanders, who have four games in hand. Earlier in the day, they traded forward Teddy Blueger to the Vegas Golden Knights for defenseman Peter Diliberatore and a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

The Predators (29-23-6) are eight points behind the Winnipeg Jets, who have played three more games, for the second wild card from the Western Conference. They previously traded forward Tanner Jeannot to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, and defenseman Mattias Ekholm to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.