NHL free agency is creeping closer. Only three more days until the free agent market opens up, and this year there are plenty of notable names.
One of those names includes Dallas Stars’ center Mikael Granlund. CBS Sports released its NHL free agency predictions and writer Chris Bengel predicts that Granlund will sign with the Carolina Hurricanes.
“Granlund was very productive during the Stars’ playoff run, including registering a hat trick performance against the Jets in Game 4 of their second-round series. The 33-year old is still capable of compiling double-digit goal seasons and likely will be a veteran presence that a Stanley Cup contender will want to have on its roster,” Bengel wrote.
“A team like the Carolina Hurricanes might make sense given how top heavy they proved to be throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Granlund would give Carolina some solid middle-six depth and help them contend with Florida in the Eastern Conference.”
Granlund had a very productive season for the Stars. He finished the regular season with 66 points on 22 goals and 44 assists. In the Stars’ playoff run to the Western Conference Finals, Granlund added 10 more points to his season with goals and five assists.
A move to Carolina would definitely give the Hurricanes a boost. Despite turning 34 next February, Granlund can still play at a high level and help a team go on a deep playoff run. The Hurricanes are looking to get over the hump that is the Florida Panthers. Carolina has lost back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals against Florida, losing 4-1 to the Panthers after being swept in 2024.
