Mikael Granlund: A Viable Replacement If The Maple Leafs Don't Re-Sign John Tavares?

John Tavares has made it clear he wants to remain a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the club and the player are reportedly struggling to find a middle ground on a fair contract. At market value, it’s been speculated that Tavares could fetch a 3-year, $7.5 million contract extension, much like his former New York Islanders teammate Brock Nelson just inked with the Colorado Avalanche. Alternatively, Matt Duchene's recent contract extension in Dallas, where the forward signed for just $4.5 million per season, offers a different perspective.

On the recent edition of TSN's Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun opined that a four-year deal at $5 million per season might be enough to get it done. While that apparently hasn’t happened yet, the Leafs should be looking at shoring up the position regardless, and perhaps Mikael Granlund could be the right fit.

Tavares, at his peak, was a No. 1 center, which is why he signed a seven-year, $77 million deal when he came to Toronto on July 1, 2018. While his value may have diminished as a 34-year-old, he scored 38 goals last season as Toronto’s second-center option behind Auston Matthews. While an elite offensive player, Tavares has never been known for his skating. He’s made up for this, especially in recent seasons, with a high hockey IQ. He particularly excels on the power play and in the faceoff circle, an area of his game that has only improved over time since he became a Leaf.

Maple Leafs and John Tavares Reportedly 'Not Close' on Extension Will John Tavares remain a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs after his contract expires? According to the latest from The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, it’s not looking like a sure thing. In his NHL rumblings column published on Saturday, LeBrun revealed that the two sides are not close on finalizing a contract extension.

Granlund, much like Tavares, entered the NHL with a high pedigree when he was selected 10th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2010 NHL Draft. Dubbed the "Finnish Army Knife" by Stars GM Jim Nill upon acquiring him from the San Jose Sharks in March, Granlund has proven his ability to be a cerebral playmaker who would fit well on a line with someone like William Nylander. Granlund and Tavares differ massively, however, on the penalty kill and at the faceoff dot. While Tavares has excelled in the circle, Granlund has struggled; conversely, Granlund has been the better defensive player and penalty killer. As the Leafs focus on better defensive play, that might tip things in Granlund’s favor.

To make an informed decision, the Leafs' management would need to weigh the distinct advantages and disadvantages of making such a change. Here’s a breakdown of what the team would lose and gain by swapping Tavares for Granlund:

How The Maple Leafs Can Add A Center This Summer To Fix Their Depth ProblemWhen the Toronto Maple Leafs glance into the free agency cupboard on July 1, they may only be left with a few choices at center.

What is Lost if Tavares Departs:

Elite Faceoff Ability: The most significant and unavoidable loss would be at the faceoff dot. The team would go from having a top-5% faceoff specialist to a below-average one, resulting in a tangible loss of puck possession at every stoppage.
Proven Goal Scoring: The team would lose a proven 30-35 goal scorer. Tavares's finishing ability, particularly from in close, is a reliable source of offense that would be difficult to replicate from that position.
A Premier Power-Play Weapon: The first power-play unit would lose its premier net-front presence and one of the league's most effective finishers in that specific role.

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What is Gained if Granlund Replaces Tavares:

Penalty Killing Contribution: The team would gain a top-six forward who can be a core member of the penalty kill. This is a significant addition that addresses a perennial area of need and improves the team's overall defensive structure.
Positional Versatility: The team would gain a player who can seamlessly transition between center and wing, granting the coaching staff immense flexibility for in-game line adjustments, injury management, and matchup optimization.
A High-End Playmaker: The team would add a high-end, pass-first playmaker whose primary instinct is to distribute the puck, potentially unlocking even greater offensive output from the team's elite goal-scorers.
Improved Team Speed and Transition: While not an elite skater himself, Granlund's high-end hockey sense and responsible puck management could lead to a more fluid 5-on-5 transition game, helping to mitigate the notable skating deficiencies of the player he would be replacing.

Granlund is a free agent on July 1 and is coming off a four-year deal that carried an average annual value of $5 million. If the Leafs could sign both players, it would certainly go a long way toward addressing their center depth issues.