Dallas Stars Bolster Playoff Push with Granlund, Ceci Trade

This trade was made possible when the Stars placed Tyler Seguin and Nils Lundkvist on LTIR Saturday morning. Dallas created substantial salary cap flexibility for the moves, allowing them to absorb Granlund and Ceci’s contracts. They still have room for further additions.

Granlund, 32, brings veteran playmaking ability to the Stars’ middle-six forward group. He has been one of San Jose’s most productive players this season and was drawing interest from teams like the Carolina Hurricanes. Meanwhile, Ceci adds a reliable defensive presence and playoff experience, having been a top-four defenseman with the Edmonton Oilers over the past few seasons.

The Sharks Continue to Rebuild by Selling in Trades

For San Jose, this deal is part of their ongoing rebuild. They pick up another first-round pick and a conditional third-rounder. Both will be valuable future assets. The first-round pick is a key piece for a team looking to stockpile talent, and if Dallas advances to the Cup Final, they’ll receive an even better return with the upgraded draft selection.

Under GM Jim Nill, Dallas has historically prioritized keeping first-round picks, making this move a clear indication that the team is fully committed to contending this year. By holding on to top prospects Logan Stankoven, Mavrik Bourque, and Lian Bichsel, the Stars manage to improve their roster without sacrificing their long-term future.

This trade signals that Dallas is all-in for the 2025 Stanley Cup chase, and further moves could be coming. These are solid depth additions for Dallas. While Granlund and Ceci may not play prominent roles, they still bring value. Given the significant salary the Sharks are offloading, this should be seen as a win for the Sharks as well.