Mikael Granlund usually gets called one of two things.

Either, “mih-KIGH-ehl”, the proper pronunciation of his first name, or “MIGH-kuhl,” the more Anglo-friendly version.

For the record, it seems like most of his current teammates on the Pittsburgh Penguins are content with his nickname, “Granny.”

Either way, the Finnish-born Granlund doesn’t seem to be fixated on how he’s identified.

“It’s all good to me,” Granlund said. “Either way works for me. I’m not picky about that.”

As a player, Granlund can be called a lot of things.

That’s to say he’s capable of playing all three forward positions, a trait that prompted Penguins general manager Ron Hextall to acquire Granlund from the Nashville Predators via trade March 1.

At the time of the transaction, Granlund was manning the left wing of the Predators’ second line. Since then, he has primarily been stationed on the right wing or center of the Penguins’ third line.

“That’s the way I’ve been always,” the left-handed Granlund said of his versatility. “I like to play both sides of the puck. On the (penalty kill), I feel like I try to be pretty smart out there and think about the game. It’s just natural to me. Whatever it is to help the team, that’s the main thing.”

Granlund’s contributions to any success for the Penguins so far with the franchise are certainly debatable. In 12 games with the team, he has only three points (one goal, two assists) and the Penguins have a 5-6-1 record since his arrival.

But it’s clear that his versatility is something the Penguins — who typically deal with a pockmarked lineup because of injuries or other absences — place value on, especially since another Swiss Army Knife type of player, Evan Rodrigues, departed via free agency last offseason.

“I think most of it is hockey sense,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “It’s just game sense and having an understanding of how to play multiple positions. (Granlund) is a versatile guy. We can play him at center. We can play him at any of the forward positions. He plays the off wing every bit as well as he plays his strong side. A lot of it has to do with just game sense and just understanding what the roles are depending on the position that you play. He has that ability.”

Granlund, the ninth overall selection in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild, can fill roles on both special teams units as well.

“That’s a coach’s dream when it comes down to injuries or whatever might happen during a season or a game, even,” said Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Irwin, a teammate of Granlund with the Predators for parts of two seasons. “That’s what makes him pretty special is his ability to jump in, play his off side, play center. He kills penalties. With his speed and with his willingness to block shots, he creates chances on the short-handed end of things. And obviously, his creativity, him on the half-wall on the (power play) is where I noticed him a lot when we were in Nashville together. Just look-offs and finding guys in seams.

“He’s an all-around great player.”

During a 4-3 home win against the Capitals on Sunday, Granlund had a role in the Penguins’ second goal by defenseman Chad Ruhwedel.

Opening the game on the right wing of the third line, Granlund was temporarily promoted to the second line, then wound up on the ice in something of a disjointed line change with first-liner Sidney Crosby and second-liner Jason Zucker. In an effort to get the puck out of the defensive zone, Granlund one-touched it from his own right point off the near boards, allowing Zucker to chase it down in the neutral zone. Claiming possession, Zucker dealt a one-handed pass to the far wing for Ruhwedel, who wound up scoring his first goal of the season.

“He’s an unbelievably skilled player, but he can play all (forward) positions,” said Zucker, who played with Granlund in Minnesota. “He can play penalty kill, power play. He’s a guy you’d love to have out there at the end of a game, protecting a lead. He’s a guy that can play in a lot of different scenarios.”

Granlund figures to see no shortage of scenarios with the Penguins, especially since he has two years remaining on his current contract beyond the current season.

He’s ready to take on any assignment(s).

“I’m pretty comfortable anywhere,” Granlund said. “Obviously, every position has different things that you need to do. It’s pretty natural to me. A lot of times, you just go out there and play with your instincts. For me, I try to be smart out there and see the game before anything happens. It’s natural to me. I don’t really think about it. I’ve got to play all the roles.”

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