The San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars completed a trade on Saturday, with the Sharks sending forward Mikael Granlund and defenceman Cody Ceci to the Stars, in exchange for a 2025 first-round pick and a conditional fourth-round pick. In one clean swoop, two potential Maple Leafs’ trade targets are off the board.

Granlund is a versatile top-six forward, who is having himself a stellar year to this point. He was the Sharks’ leading scorer before the move, recording 45 points in 52 games, and was averaging over 20 minutes per game, including on both sides of special teams. Granlund’s ability to play center and on the wing, made him an attractive piece for the Maple Leafs to consider adding up front, meanwhile, his ability to kill penalties would have certainly come in handy, which could be an area down the stretch where head coach Craig Berube gives Auston Matthews a break from.

Granlund’s under contract at $5 million against the cap and already, Stars’ GM Jim Nill confirmed he’d like to talk extension with the 32-year-old native of Oulu, Finland, and his camp. Granlund is very familiar with several players on the Stars, including Matt Duchene, the two were linemates with the Nashville Predators.

Nill has only traded his first-round pick once over the last 12 seasons, so it’s become obvious quick, with the likes of Tyler Seguin and now Miro Heiskanen out long-term with injury, Nill is going to capitalize on some extra cap space at the moment, and go all-in to add some serious talent to his roster.

Ceci, 31, is also a pending unrestricted free agent. The former Maple Leaf was having a strong campaign for the Sharks, recording four goals, and 15 points in 54 games so far this season. Ceci is signed for $3.2 million, and like Granlund didn’t have any trade protection. Ceci has averaged 21:46 of ice-time per game this season in San Jose, second on the team to fellow defenceman, Jake Walman.

Ceci would not have been at the top of the Maple Leafs’ blueline trade target list, but he was certainly someone to consider as an upgrade over Conor Timmins or Philippe Myers. Ceci’s a great penalty killer, he’s blocked 100 shots already this season, and now Leafs’ GM Brad Treliving will scratch two names off his list, and continue to discuss deals leading up to the March 7 trade deadline.

The Maple Leafs and Stars don’t align up as potential trade partners, however, Toronto and San Jose could still complete a trade together this season. Jake Walman and Luke Kunin would be huge additions for the Leafs, and now, Treliving has a pretty good understanding of what Grier will be looking for in return. With Walman having such a impressive season, recording 28 points in 41 games, expect Grier to be asking for a first-round pick, or an NHL-ready top prospect in return, with Kunin likely to fetch a third-round pick, and b-level prospect.

Granlund and Ceci to the Stars. Sharks continue to sell, with still plenty of time for the Maple Leafs to be buying from the shark tank before the deadline.