Ranking the Five Worst Trades in Nashville Predators Franchise History

#5 Nashville Predators Receive Mikael Granlund from Wild

In the midseason of 2019 the Nashville Predators were still trying to keep that Stanley Cup window open. In the prior postseason the Predators lost a heartbreaking seven-game series to the Winnipeg Jets in the second round of what was the franchise’s only Presidents Trophy winning season.

While Mikael Granlund has not been a terrible addition to this team, he has not played up to his contract this season. He has found a hot streak of late but still needs to find another level for the money he makes.

Nashville traded Kevin Fiala to the Minnesota Wild on February 25, 2019, in exchange for Granlund. At the time things just weren’t working out for the scoring winger and the franchise that drafted him 11th-overall in 2014. Fiala had a high ceiling, the Predators decided to move on.

Granlund has played in 266 games for the Nashville Predators, while Fiala played in 215 games for the Wild before eventually being dealt to the LA Kings this past offseason.

It’s been moderate production from Granlund on the offensive end with 51 goals and 109 assists, but has never reached his season point totals that he amassed before the trade with Minnesota. He had seasons of 69 points and 67 points before the trade to Nashville.

Fiala , on the other hand, has been an offensive powerhouse and only trending to be more prolific. He has 21 goals and 63 points currently for the Kings, which would both lead the Predators this season.

Posting 100 goals and 152 assists over the past five seasons, Fiala is a big part of the Minnesota Wild’s recent success and a key player in the LA Kings organization now.

Trading Fiala may have been unavoidable considering it wasn’t working for both parties, but Granlund hasn’t brought the value that was originally hoped for.