Mikael Granlund swinging behind the Russia goal, heading for its right side. In the process, the center, then only 19 years old on May 13, 2011, put the puck on his blade and flung it behind Russia’s goalie, Konstantin Barulin. He scored.

NHL: San Jose Sharks center Mikael Granlund was named an assistant captain for Finland’s 4 Nations Face-Off team

Obviously, the young exciting core group isn’t going anywhere, but the Sharks leading scorer might end up leading trade discussions. Mikael Granlund is in the final year of his

Never a huge goal-scorer, Granlund is on pace to hit 20 for the third time in his 13-year career and the first since 2017-18 with Minnesota. But the 32-year-old has been a point producer with the Sharks. He’s leading the team with 44 points in 51 contests after a scoring a team-high 60 points in 69 games last season.

There hasn’t been much good news for Minnesota Wild fans in 2025, but things are looking up. Kirill Kaprizov is out at least a month and Jonas Brodin was also put on long-term injured reserve. That might sound like more bad news to most fans,

Granlund notched an assist and two shots on goal in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Kraken.

Former Wild forward Mikael Granlund will represent Team Finland along with Erik Haula, another former Wild forward. Granlund was named an assistant captain for the upcoming tournament. Your #4Nations Face-Off captains for Team Finland are here! Suomen #4Nations Face-Off -turnauksen kapteenisto on tässä! pic.twitter.com/0eOG9IpUuH

San Jose Sharks list of pending UFAs includes Mikael Granlund, Luke Kunin, Nico Sturm, Cody Ceci, Jan Rutta, Vitek Vanecek and Alexandar Georgiev.

San Jose Sharks forward Mikael Granlund was named as an alternate captain for Team Finland at the Four Nations Face-Off.

Playing Thursday

Our expert panel discusses the Flames and Flyers' swap, what the Sharks should do with their pending UFAs, Marc-Andre Fleury's storybook Montreal moment and much more.

San Jose Sharks forward Mikael Granlund (illness) will stay in the lineup on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. He was initially questionable for the game after sitting out Wednesday's practice due to an illness.