Just hours ago a deal that would send Vancouver defenseman Kevin Bieksa to San Jose, likely for multiple draft picks including a second rounder, seemed imminent and on its way to finalization. Now, trade talks have hit a snag and it appears as though the trade won’t happen after all:
Both sides seem dug in on Bieksa. Doesn’t look like VAN-SJ deal will happen.
— Iain MacIntyre (@imacVanSun) June 26, 2015
Negotiations could potentially start back up at some point but, for now, Sharks fans can breathe a cautious sigh of relief. Darren Dreger reported on a Vancouver radio station earlier today that the trade would have likely seen Bieksa shipped to San Jose for two second round picks (presumably the 39th overall selection and a second rounder from next year) and subsequently signed by the Sharks to a contract extension in the 4-year, $16 million range. The 34-year-old defenseman will be a UFA next summer and has declined over the past three seasons from a bonafide top-pair blueliner into a player best suited for third pairing duty.
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