It is no secret Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci were well respected in the San Jose Sharks locker room. Players were clearly in a down mood and gave their reactions to the trade after practice on Sunday.
It was quiet in the locker room, likely because 16 players participated in practice. Still, speaking with players after, there was a clear somberness when speaking about Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci being traded to the Dallas Stars.
Wennberg not ruled out for Tuesday but definitely doesn’t seem likely to go. “We’re taking it day-by-day” via Warsofsky.
Zetterlund missed cause of illness
Toffoli is a LBI but doesn’t sound serious. Should play Tuesday. #SJSharks
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) February 2, 2025
Fellow alternate captain Luke Kunin was the first to speak about the loss of Granlund.
“He was each part of our team on and off the ice. I played with them everywhere I’ve been,” Kunin said. “Great teammate. Great person. [It’s] just the unfortunate part of the business, right?”
Many questions are being asked about how the leadership void will be met so the young players can continue their development. Kunin said everyone needs to remain focused and do what they have been doing, putting in the work.
“He’s a pro. He does everything the right way. I learned from him when I was in Minnesota. Nothing’s changed years later with these young guys,” Kunin said. “I think they learned a lot from him.”
Some of the most significantly affected are likely William Eklund and Fabian Zetterlund. Many stories have come out about Granlund taking the two Swedes under his wing. The ‘Lund’ line was iconic for San Jose Sharks fans. Zetterlund didn’t practice today due to an illness and wasn’t available to comment.
Eklund’s mood was clearly down, but he understood that the move was part of being in the NHL.
“It’s tough. Great treatment, great friend. [Granlund’s] been everything you can expect from a leader,” Eklund said. “He comes in here. He works hard every day. He shows the young guys how to work.”
Eklund told reporters that he had a quick phone call with Granlund after the trade was announced. The winger said they didn’t talk about anything hockey-related.
“I just thanked him for his time here and for him being a leader here,” Eklund said about the call. “I’m gonna miss him, but obviously, I think he’s excited to go get a cup. I’m just happy for him and Ceci if they get that chance.”
Mario Ferraro sees another leader in the room get traded. Last season, Tomas Hertl was moved, as well as many before him, like Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson.
“We still got a job to do, right? We’re all fighting for our lives as individuals, and we’re fighting for our jobs as a team. The goal for this team is to continue to improve. We still have work to do, right? It may not happen in one game, it may not happen this year, but you know it’s coming, and you can see it,” Ferraro said. “But these moments as humans, they’re tough. It takes a little bit. [A] 24 hour thing. [But] today, a practice day, we’re right back at it.”
Ferraro made a point of emphasizing Ceci and how much he meant to him. The two were locker mates, and Ferraro says he always loved Ceci doing the little things that can help a team win that isn’t seen on a scoresheet.
Grier says he doesn’t think he can replace what Granlund brought to the room from a leadership standpoint for the rest of the season. Hopes the young guys take what they’ve learned. #SJSharks
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) February 1, 2025
Jake Walman, who was partnered with Ceci the entire season, said he grew close to the former Edmonton Oilers d-man both on the ice and off.
“Pretty sad. I was in here yesterday; we had a day off, but I was in here yesterday, so I was able to say bye to those guys,” Walman said. “[Ceci] meant a lot to the D core. Just somebody that everybody can lean on. He’s an unbelievable teammate, a great person; we enjoyed our time off the ice just as much as we did at the rink.”
With Granlund gone, Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini, especially Celebrini, will see their roles increase. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky said they must be careful about how much is put on his plate as an 18-year-old rookie in the NHL.
“He did everything for us: PK, power play, five on six, six on five. Play in every situation. He’s such a smart player. It’s tough to replace a guy like that,” Celebrini said. “I don’t think anything really changes. I mean, it’s just we’re missing those guys. It doesn’t push responsibility onto anyone else. I think it’s just we’re missing those guys.”
Will Smith, a natural center, said he had a conversation with Warsofsky about playing center. Warsofsky said the switch back to his natural position won’t happen yet.
“They were great guys, and it’s tough losing them, but part of the business. I learned a lot from both of them,” Smith said. “We still have a great squad here. We have guys who we are going to talk to, like [Tyler Toffoli]. It’s tough losing Granny and, especially, Ceci. I mean, they’re good guys on the ice, but I mean, off the ice, they were awesome.”
The San Jose Sharks’ next game is on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens, giving the locker room one more chance to practice and move past the trade.
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