The San Jose Sharks have 50 contracts on the books, but with Michael Misa returning from the World Junior Championship in a few days, the team is going to have to make a decision soon. Once Misa plays his nine NHL games, the Sharks have to decide if he stays on the roster full-time and his contract goes into action or if he’s sent back to his junior team. The Sharks are starting to run out of ways to delay the process, so it’s getting close to decision time.
The best scenario for the Sharks is a trade because it means getting assets back for contracts currently on the books. Ideally, it’s in the form of prospects not currently under contract or draft picks, but a 2-for-1 deal would also work. The big question is, who can the Sharks move that will not hurt the team’s rebuild and will not hurt what General Manager Mike Grier is trying to build for the young players heading into the trade deadline?
The options are limited, especially considering that there’s something special happening in the locker room. Given the on-ice success, it’s not a mix you want to mess with when it comes to building the confidence of young players like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Sam Dickinson, William Eklund, and others, especially when they’re currently in a playoff spot, even if it is a precarious one.
So, below, we look at some of the players that San Jose could move to help make room for Misa.
Doing right by the player: Pavol Regenda & Egor Afanasyev
There are a couple of players on the San Jose Barracuda roster that deserve shots at the NHL and, honestly, aren’t likely to get them with the Sharks. Pavol Regenda has been called up a few times and has performed admirably in each of his stints in the NHL. Regenda has five goals in four games with the Sharks, and has logged meaningful minutes with the bottom six. It’s a continuation of the work he did during training camp and could be a good showcase for teams looking to add some depth to their benches. Regenda doesn’t seem to fit into San Jose’s long-term plans unless it’s as a mentor on the Barracuda, and it’s clear the player wants more than that for himself. If a team comes calling for Regenda, it would be good for the Sharks to move him.
Then there’s Egor Afanasyev, who didn’t do enough to elevate his play above a player like Ethan Cardwell going into the season. Since then, players like Quentin Musty, Kasper Haltunnen and Igor Chernyshov have developed in their first years in the AHL, and potentially passed Afanasyev on the Sharks’ depth chart. Given the development of Musty, Haltunnen and Chernyshov, now might be a good time to allow Afanasyev to try his hand elsewhere.
Trading either Regenda or Afanasyev would be a setback for the Barracuda, which likely isn’t ideal from a management standpoint, but it would allow the Sharks to keep the vibes going in San Jose for a bit longer. It also clears the way for Misa to move into a fulltime roster role sooner rather than later.
Change of scenery: Jake Furlong
Speaking of the Barracuda, the Sharks organization likely can’t handle parting ways with a right-shot defenseman at the moment, but a left-shot one could be moved. While I was rooting for him, it seems like Jake Furlong’s time with the Sharks may be coming to an end. The defenseman has never been the same since his injuries and seems to have reached his peak in development. It’s likely time for him to see if he can break through with another organization, and if he does, we’ll be rooting for him.
Offloading assets early: Mario Ferraro, Timothy Liljegren
This is where things get a little painful, but it might be the only option for the Sharks given the current roster situation. The Sharks are getting closer and closer to a full roster. San Jose has carried a lot of defensemen throughout the season, which has led to some problems, not the least of which is inconsistencies in pairings.
If San Jose could trade Nick Leddy, that would be the best solution, but it’s doubtful that the team will find any takers, which leaves one or two of the seven others as options.
Vincent Iorio has the advantage of being a right-shot defenseman in a sea of left-side shooters, so he’s less likely to be moved, especially because he’s a shiny new toy for management. The same can’t be said for Liljegren, who is in his second season with San Jose and hasn’t solidified himself on the blueline. He’s been healthy-scratched a few times and missed a few other games because of injury. It’s possible the Sharks have already made up their minds about the defenseman, and if they have, then moving on from him sooner rather than later might help clear out some of this logjam that the team is currently facing. I’m not a fan of this move, I’ve liked Liljegren’s game. However, the Sharks have put off the decision long enough and it’s hurting player development at this point. Something has to give.
Then there’s Mario Ferraro. This really is also a make up your mind situation for Sharks management. Ferraro is clearly a strong voice in the lockerroom and there’s no true heir apparent to fill that void. While the team might get one, it likely won’t happen in the next three months, at least not someone with Ferraro’s level of cache. Which means that whenever he’s moved, there will be a massive void that will need to be filled. That said, this is the final year of Ferraro’s contract, and something has to happen. The Sharks cannot afford to let Ferraro walk into unrestricted free agency for nothing, especially given how well Grier has managed his assets to date. A lot of teams are looking for something to help set themselves apart from the pack, and Ferraro could do just that.
This would be a major blow to the lockerroom however, so a decision like moving Ferraro cannot be taken lightly. If the Sharks are leaning toward selling, the market for Ferraro might be very high at this moment given how many teams feel like they’re in the mix right now.
Sell high: Ty Dellandrea and Philipp Kurahev
The Sharks could also consider selling high on a couple of the players currently on the roster who have helped their value soar with recent play. Philipp Kurashev has resurrected his career with the Sharks, showing he can play with a variety of players and not just the top guns. Kurashev had 15 points in 31 games before he was injured and they weren’t all on the power play. While he’ll have to prove he’s healthy when he returns, there’s a lot to like about his recent game with the Sharks. He’s taken on penalty killing minutes to round out his game, becoming a more complete player and upping his value.
If management believes that he can be a contributing piece moving forward as a middle-six winger with the potential to move up and down the lineup, then by all means, sign him to an extension. His age fits with the Sharks’ window. However, if the team thinks it can replace Kurashev next season with another reclamation project or a player like Musty or Chernyshov from the Barracuda, then now, when Kurashev has shown his value, may be the best time to sell. Chernyshov can easily jump to the NHL and replace Kurashev without a problem. So while I appreciate what Kurashev has done and I like his story, selling high might be the best move GMMG can make at this moment.
The same goes for Ty Dellandrea, who has taken an incredible step forward as a 3C this season. Here’s the trouble. There are teams around the league desperate for centers right now, and they’re willing to pay a pretty penny for them. Do the Sharks believe that Dellandrea is the 3C of San Jose’s future? If not, it’s time to sell because Dellandrea’s stock may never be higher than it is right now.
The Sharks are not in win-now mode. They’re looking to take a step forward. When Misa is back, he can slot into the 3C role. He and Alex Wennberg can eventually flip-flop spots if not this season, then next (this hinges on the idea that Wennberg gets re-signed). Then there’s Adam Gaudette, who is capable of filling the 4C role. Zack Ostapchuk has shown he can move up and play that role as well. There are NHL-ready options if the Sharks choose to move on from one or both of these players.
Other options: Jeff Skinner, John Klingberg, Alex Wennberg, Barclay Goodrow, Shakir Mukhamadullin and Nick Leddy
Okay, so there are other options for trades, but honestly, there are a variety of reasons why they might not work and likely aren’t ideal trades at this time.
Skinner’s contract has a modified no-trade clause. He can’t be traded until Jan. 30 and after that, he has an eight-team trade list. Any trades likely won’t happen until February at the earliest out of respect for the player. Additionally, it feels like the Sharks are going to hold on to him just to see if the team can get a little more out of the deal. He’ll be moved, but possibly closer to the trade deadline.
Klingberg has a similar modified no-trade clause. He can’t be traded until Jan. 30 and after that, he has a 14-team trade list. Like Skinner, General Manager Mike Grier will honor his deal and won’t make a trade until February at the earliest.
Wennberg’s ability to move up and down the lineup and his skill on the power play are likely to make him one of the best trade deadline rentals for any team looking to compete in the playoffs. If San Jose is in a playoff position near the trade deadline and Grier wants to reward the team, keeping Wennberg might be the best way to do so. Holding on to him for as long as possible is the best plan.
Whether fans like it or not, management and the coaching staff love Goodrow. There’s very little likelihood that the team will choose to part ways with Goodrow this season, especially when he has one more year on his contract after this one. He also has a modified no-trade clause with a 15-team no-trade list. It’s hard to see Goodrow being traded this season, though stranger things have happened.
Mukhamadullin isn’t someone that I’d like to see the Sharks move on from, but like it or not, he seems to have fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. If the Sharks think he’s not what the team is looking for, it’s better to trade him now, while his future is still murky and other teams haven’t made up their minds about him. Trading Mukhamadullin now might even get them the right-shot defenseman the team needs.
Finally, there’s Leddy. If I thought it were possible for the Sharks to trade Leddy, he would have been tops on this list, but the problem is, there’s no chance that Leddy draws interest on the open market. We’d have to toss in pot sweeteners to get another team to take Leddy, which isn’t exactly a position a rebuilding team like the Sharks is in right now.
Stretching it out to the trade deadline
The other option, and the most likely, because management will do everything it can to keep the vibes going in San Jose, is that Misa’s playing time gets stretched out until the trade deadline.
Once he returns from the World Junior Championship, he won’t be rushed back into the lineup. He might have some ailment that will keep him off the ice for a few days as he recovers. Then, he’ll need to get back into NHL game shape before he gets into a game or two. The Sharks will likely be able to stretch out his time until at least the Olympic break. After that, the trade deadline will be close enough that moves can be made to make room for Misa on the roster.
