The San Jose Sharks would love to sell just about anyone and everyone at the trade deadline, but you can’t sell something that people don’t need. Teams have different needs at this time of year. Some are looking to add a defenseman; others need a top-six forward to round out their team.
For the Sharks, now is the time to take a look at the buyers and see if San Jose’s cupboards have anything that will fill the contenders’ needs. Instead of looking at what the Sharks have to offer, we’re going to look at what the teams currently in a playoff position need and if the Sharks have something that will fit those needs. We figure it might be a better determination of what the trade deadline might look like for the Sharks.
Central Division
Dallas Stars
The Dallas News was very specific with what the Dallas Stars need heading into the deadline: a top-four right-side defenseman. The Stars got that in Chris Tanev, so it’s hard to see San Jose having anything that will help. In fact, the Tanev deal may dictate the market for other Sharks’ players moving forward.
If the Stars are still looking to bolster the blueline, the Sharks can provide Jan Rutta, a solid, stay-at-home defenseman. But his contract has some term. He’s a stretch at top-four, but he’s a veteran. Trouble is, he might be redundant now that the Tanev deal is done.
If the Stars want to dictate terms, Calen Addison is another option. Addison will be an RFA after this season and he comes with some offensive upside. While he didn’t fit into the top-four role with the Minnesota Wild, there were some fans that felt he deserved more of a shot. He’s less reliable defensively, but he’s also younger.
Winnipeg Jets
In January, Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala said, “They could use another player up front, however. They need someone who can take key faceoffs, kill penalties, and provide another layer of scoring. They also could perhaps upgrade their second power play unit.”
A few days later, the Jets traded for Sean Monahan and improved in the faceoff circle, so we’re not sure if the need applies any longer. If it does, then Nico Sturm would be a good addition provided that Sharks’ General Manager Mike Grier is willing to part with him.
Colorado Avalanche
Former San Jose Sharks beat writer Corey Masisak now covers the Avalanche for the Denver Post and has a good look at what the Avs need at the deadline. He suggests that a backup goaltender might be one of Colorado’s biggest needs, given that Alexandar Georgiev has played 48 of the team’s 59 games this season. Georgiev will need a break as the playoffs approach, but the Avs still want a chance to win.
Masisak has said that either Kaapo Kahkonen or Mackenzie Blackwood could fill the Avalanche’s needs, though San Jose would have to retain salary to help make the deal work with how Colorado’s current cap situation stands. I can’t see Grier retaining on either of those goalies unless the return is huge.
A long-term center is also a suggested need in Masisak’s column. The Sharks likely don’t have what it takes to make this happen. Mikael Granlund is too expensive, given Colorado’s current cap space. Sturm would probably be welcomed back, but neither trade is likely to happen if the Sharks have to retain salary.
Pacific Division
Vancouver Canucks
It seems to be common knowledge around the league that the Canucks are all-in this season. It makes sense, given the success of the team and the fact that while many teams have goaltending issues, the Canucks are not one of them. Vancouver has made a lot of big moves already but might have one more in it. But what do the Canucks need?
Thomas Drance of The Athletic recently wrote, “So far, the depth has held with the club’s top two centermen on the same line, but come playoff time, the club may need more robust options down the middle, particularly given the center depth of Vancouver’s key Pacific Division rivals and most likely first-round opponents.”
Both Sturm and Granlund could fulfill the Canucks needs and put the team over the top, but they also have term on their contracts. Vancouver might have the cap space to make the deal happen now, but the summer would introduce a new set of problems.
If Vancouver is truly all-in, trading for Granlund would make sense for the Cup run, and the summer salary cap could be tomorrow Jim Rutherford/Patrik Allvin’s problem.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights don’t need a center so much as a middle-six forward. The team’s health is its biggest issue. Jack Eichel is back skating, but he’s in a no-contact jersey, so that’s not going to improve the team before the deadline. What’s more, it looks like Mark Stone is week-to-week with a spleen injury. Those are top scorers for the Golden Knights. The team will need to add some more offensive firepower at the deadline if it hopes to make another deep run.
The Sharks have a few options for Vegas, though likely not the best options on the market at this time. Alexander Barabanov or Anthony Duclair might fit well here. Justin Bailey has a respectable 12 points in 36 games and could be great given Vegas’ style of play.
Edmonton Oilers
According to The Atheltic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman, “The Oilers could use a backup goaltender, an upgrade on defense and more depth in the bottom six — particularly at center — but their most pronounced need is higher up the lineup. With Evander Kane struggling and banged up and Connor Brown failing to meet expectations, the Oilers could really use a winger who can play in their middle six and complement Leon Draisaitl.”
Again, the Sharks have Duclair and Barabanov prepped to fit the needs of the Oilers. Barabanov may be of particular interest since he already has familiarity with Kane. Luke Kunin’s name has been linked to the Oilers in recent days, and if that’s a deal that nets you, Philip Broberg, I’m all for it.
Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins
The Bruins don’t have a problem with goaltending. While the team’s scoring isn’t ideal, when you have good goaltenders, you tend to need fewer goals, which is why NESN identifies the Bruins‘ top need as a big, stay-at-home defenseman.
This is a question of whether the Sharks are willing to part with Mario Ferraro. There are a lot of teams that would jump at the chance to snag Ferraro, and he might fit just what the Bruins want. If the conversation starts with a first-round pick, Grier would be hard-pressed to say no. Boston does not have a 2024 first-rounder but does have one in 2025. That might help fuel San Jose’s prospect pool for years to come.
Florida Panthers
The Athletic’s Sean Gentille says forward depth could be the most important thing for the Panthers this trade deadline.
“They do have some money to play with, though, and could use some offensive pop in the bottom six. Nothing crazy — just an option who’s capable of knocking in an extra goal or two,” wrote Gentille.
When you’re talking about landing places for Duclair, this may be the best option. The Panthers know exactly what the team will get in Duclair, and management has a good idea of what players he’ll mesh with. Remember that Duclair had 11 points in 20 games during the postseason with the Panthers last year. That’s some pretty good depth scoring in the playoffs.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs made a move on Thursday night, adding depth defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks. According to The Athletic, a depth center and scoring forward are also needs for the Maple Leafs. The team needs someone to play behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares.
Granlund is the biggest name here, but the salary may not work, and I’m not sure Grier wants to use his final retention slot on the forward. Sturm is also an option and will help on the penalty kill. Better yet, Sturm has that cup-winning pedigree that general managers love to acquire at the trade deadline, and it seems like the Maple Leafs could use some of that in the lockerroom.
If Grier decides that he’s not willing to part with Sturm, the Leafs will still want a forward and Duclair would be a great fit, especially if the team has him playing alongside Tavares.
Metropolitan Division
New York Rangers
The Athletic’s Peter Baugh reports that the Rangers are in need of a top-line or middle-six forward. San Jose’s a little light on bonafide top or middle six forwards, though put in the right situation, Duclair could perform like one for a playoff run. Barabanov has played on the Sharks’ top line before and has done well. Of course, the team missed the playoffs all of those times, so take that as you will.
Granlund might be a good fit if you can make the money work.
The deal for the Rangers and Sharks might be the Sharks taking on a bad contract to help the Rangers make a deal for the forward the team truly wants. Helping New York may be the best way for San Jose to use its cap space.
Welcome home Barclay Goodrow?
Carolina Hurricanes
The Athletic’s Corey Lavalette reports that a depth defenseman would be ideal for the Hurricanes. While the team has Tony DeAngelo, he hasn’t played much and Carolina would love to move his contract to help make way for a “…more of a stay-at-home depth defenseman to give them depth for the postseason.”
The Sharks have some options in that position. Ty Emberson likely isn’t available, but one has to wonder what the price for Ferraro would be. Ferraro would fit Carolina’s needs, and a reunion with Brent Burns might make the Hurricanes feel a bit more secure in the deal.
If the team wants a cheaper contract, Jacob MacDonald isn’t a horrible choice. His contract is $762,500 and expires at the end of this season. Plus, as the Sharks have shown, you can put him on waivers and move him without anyone claiming him.
The only downside to any of these deals is that the Sharks would likely have to take DeAngelo back the other way and who wants to see him play in teal for the rest of the season?
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers seem really desperate to be sellers at the deadline so it’s hard to say if any deal will work with the team. One would guess if there’s a trade on the table, it would have to be for a player with term. If that’s the case, then Logan Couture would be the perfect fit – (fingers crossed) he’s healthy for the playoffs. Couture might be the kind of player a team like Philly wants to help guide younger players. Of course, he’d have to waive his no-trade clause to make it happen. I doubt that Philly is on his list of three teams he would accept a trade to.
Wild Cards
Los Angeles Kings
It’s hard to see the Kings buying anything since this is a test run for the team’s future run at the playoffs. The Sharks don’t really have anything to offer the Kings that will make a long-term impact so we’re going with neither team is interested in a trade at this time.
Nashville Predators
Similar to the Kings, it seems like the Predators won’t be looking for any help this trade deadline.
Detroit Red Wings
If the Red Wings are buyers at all at the trade deadline, The Athletic’s Max Bultman suggests that the Wings might want to look for a depth center.
“…perhaps the best way to improve the team defense would be with a defensively responsible forward who can ideally add some heaviness to the forecheck, too,” wrote Bultman. “The Red Wings have found more offense than anyone expected coming into the year, but checking better and playing more responsibly should be the key priority down the stretch.”
Since the Red Wings aren’t likely to give up much to make the team better, Ryan Carpenter would be an ideal addition. As we outlined earlier in the season, sometimes a good shift for the Carpenter is when nothing happens. Plus, he’s an NHL veteran with 26 playoff games to his name.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning might be in a wild card spot, but the team is still a legitimate playoff threat, especially in the unlikely scenario that the team draws the Maple Leafs in the first round. The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman points out that there are not many assets that the Lightning have to bargain with at the deadline. Plus, with Tampa’s cap situation, there aren’t a lot of moves out there.
If the Lightning does make a move, look for a depth defenseman to be the add. Kyle Burroughs would be a good option, though he’s not a rental like some of the other players on the market. Nikolai Knyzhov would be available for cheap, though he also has term on his contract. If Radim Simek weren’t the Barracuda’s captain, I’d say Grier would trade him for future considerations.
This may be another situation where Addison could be the player headed out of San Jose, but I would think Grier would want at least the fifth-round pick the Sharks paid for him in any trade.
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