Predators Sign Mikael Granlund to One-Year Contract

Nashville, Tenn. (December 23, 2020) - Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/GM David Poile announced Wednesday that the team has signed forward Mikael Granlund to a one-year, $3.75 million contract.
Granlund, 28 (2/26/92), completed his first full season with the Predators in 2019-20, tallying 30 points (17g-13a) in 63 games. His 17 goals were the third-most he's scored in a season in his eight-year NHL career and were the fourth-most on the Predators. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound forward contributed in all situations last season for Nashville - his four power-play goals were tied for the third-most on the team and he was one of five Predators skaters to tally shorthanded. Granlund tied for the Predators lead in game-winning goals with four, the most notable of which came on Feb. 27 vs. Calgary, where he became the fourth player in NHL history to score a game-tying goal in the final 10 seconds of regulation and the overtime winner (regular season and playoffs). After the Predators named John Hynes head coach on Jan. 7, 2020, Granlund posted 16 points (11g-5a) in Nashville's final 28 regular-season contests, the third-most on the team in that time span.

Originally drafted in the first round (ninth overall) by Minnesota in the 2010 NHL Draft, Granlund was acquired by the Predators from the Wild in February 2019 and has gone on to skate in 79 games with Nashville, tallying 35 points (18g-17a). Since making his NHL debut in the 2012-13 season, the Oulu, Finland, native has recorded 352 points (111g-241g) with Nashville and Minnesota, the second-most among his countrymen in that time span and the ninth-most among skaters from his draft class. Additionally, he has hit the 40-point mark in five of his eight NHL seasons and was nominated for the 2017 Lady Byng Award, given to the player who exhibits the best sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.

Granlund has represented Finland at the international level on several occasions, including the 2014 Winter Olympics, where he had seven points (3g-4a) en route to a bronze medal and a spot on the tournament's all-star team. Granlund competed at the World Junior Championship three times and served as captain for his country in the 2012 tournament, where led all skaters in assists with nine. He has also suited up for Finland at the 2011 World Championship, winning the Gold Medal, and at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Prior to joining the Wild, Granlund was a product of the Karpat and HIFK programs in Finland and skated in 129 Liiga contests, tallying 127 points (41g-86a).