Two Former Predators Involved in Erik Karlsson Three Team Trade
Former Predators Mikael Granlund and Rem Pitlick were pieces involved in a three team trade that brings Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Two Former Predators Involved in Erik Karlsson Three Team TradeAfter much speculation, Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson has a new team, and the moves to get him to Pittsburgh involve two former Nashville Predators players.
The Penguins, San Jose Sharks, and Montreal Canadiens worked out a deal that sends Karlsson, Dillon Hamaliuk, a 2026 third rounder, and 2016 Nashville Predators draft pick Rem Pitlick to Pittsburgh. In the deal, the San Jose Sharks will get former Predator Mikael Granlund along with two other players and a 2024 first round draft pick.
Granlund played 268 game with the Predators after being acquired in a trade deadline deal with the Minnesota Wild in 2019 in exchange for Kevin Fiala. Granlund became a key part of the Predators offense under head coach John Hynes. He recorded his career best assist record in 2021-2022 playing between Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene who each recorded career high goals with the help of Granlund.
Granlund was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 1 for a 2023 second round draft pick. Granlund was just one player in a Preds' trade deadline pivot that included moving Mattias Ekholm, Tanner Jeannot, and Nino Niederreiter. Ron Hextall's move to add Granlund to the Penguins' roster was widely disparaged by Pens fans, and some in the league cite it as one small factor in Hextall's firing in April. There was speculation that Granlund could be bought out, but with today's deal the 31 year old gets a new opportunity with the San Jose Sharks. J.D. Young, host of Locked On Sharks, believes Granlund could slot in as either a third line center or middle six winger in San Jose.
Former Nashville Predators draft pick Rem Pitlick will be heading to Pittsburgh after today's deal. Pitlick most recently played 92 games over two seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. The Predators selected Pitlick 76th overall in 2016, but the forward only played 11 games for Nashville before being claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Wild on October 6, 2021. In his 20 NHL appearances with the Wild, Pitlick scored six goals and eleven points. His first three NHL goals were scored as a natural hat trick in the November 13, 2021 Wild game against the Settle Kraken.
Pitlick was claimed off waivers on January 11, 2022 by the Montreal Canadiens. He saw the most ice time with the rebuilding Habs, playing 92 games in his two seasons and recording 15 goals and 41 points. He now heads to Pittsburgh where he will have to battle on a team with plenty of forward depth fighting for playing time.