Mikael Granlund is back! Granlund spoke with local media before Saturday’s San Jose Sharks-Dallas Stars tilt. It’s been just one week since Granlund and Cody Ceci were traded to the Stars for a 2025 first and a conditional 2025 fourth (which becomes a third if Dallas makes the Stanley Cup Final).

In their last game before the league pauses its schedule for two weeks to hold the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Sharks gave up three goals in a lopsided first period and never fully recovered in an 8-3 loss to the playoff-bound Dallas Stars on Saturday at SAP Center.

The San Jose Sharks have prime opportunities to grow their rookie’s skill and depth as well as better the team in the end. Even though the team will miss out on playoffs for the sixth year in a row, they can use this time to focus more on skill development.

SAN JOSE – One day after seeing Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci traded to the Dallas Stars, the already thinned-out San Jose Sharks were forced to pick up the pieces Sunday and figure out the best way forward without their leading scorer and arguably their best defensive defenseman.