The San Jose Sharks have faced a rough 2024-25 season, where they not only have placed last in the Pacific Division but last overall in the NHL with 15 wins in the team’s 56 games played. A season like this requires meticulous moves by Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky and the Sharks’ management, such as benchings, AHL call-ups and trades. More recently, the Sharks acquired two picks in the NHL draft in exchange for defenseman Cody Ceci and forward Mikael Granlund to the Dallas Stars.
We have a trade to announce! 📣
— NHL (@NHL) February 1, 2025
Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci are off to the Lone Star State to join the @DallasStars 🤠 pic.twitter.com/kvxjrB5nzy
As much as this trade was heartbreaking for the majority of Sharks fans, it was necessary. Ceci, being a former Edmonton Oiler, brings some technique to the table, while Granlund brings true skill as the top scorer for the Sharks with 52 total points before he was traded. The two will be missed, but that is just a part of the game.
In addition to that, the Sharks claimed forward Walker Duehr off waivers from the Calgary Flames.
The #SJSharks have claimed Walker Duehr.
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 22, 2025
Duehr, a native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was signed by the Calgary Flames as a free agent on April 11, 2021. The forward played 16 games with the Flames this season, earning one assist. He reached a career-high of 40 games with Calgary in 2023-24, recording seven points. In the previous season (2022-23), Duehr set his personal best with seven goals and 11 points in 27 games. Across his 84 career NHL games with the Flames, he has earned 19 points.
Before joining the NHL, Duehr spent time in the American Hockey League with the Stockton Heat and Calgary Wranglers, affiliates of the Flames. This season, he scored 19 points in 20 AHL games. In 2022-23, Duehr set career AHL highs with 15 goals and 26 points. Over his total of 127 career AHL games, he has 69 points with 37 goals and 32 assists.
Duehr made his San Jose Sharks debut on Jan. 23, 2025. He made a debut goal against the Nashville Predators showing Sharks fans what he came here to do.
A Duehr Debut goal! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/9As0VWzxto
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 24, 2025
But getting to San Jose so fast required an adjustment. Now that Duehr’s had a chance to settle into San Jose and the team, we asked him what it was like quickly going from one NHL team to another.
“It’s been good. The first probably 72 hours threw a big whirlwind; just getting here, getting settled, and then playing hockey on top of that was pretty crazy. But I feel at home now, and the staff and all the guys have been really welcoming and really good so far,” said Duehr.
Transitioning from one style of play to another can be difficult for even the most seasoned hockey player, but Duehr is enjoying San Jose’s system.
“Yeah, it’s been good. They play a style that I feel like fits well with my game, playing both fast, direct, and playing with a good forecheck,” said Duehr. “So yeah, I feel like their systems fit into my style really well.”
As for the human element of it all, it’s a big change going from Calgary to San Jose. Luckily for Duehr, he has a few San Jose road trips under his belt, so it wasn’t an entirely new experience for him.
“It’s been good. I’ve been here a few times with the Flames and didn’t really get to see too much of the city at the hotel area, but from what I’ve seen so far, I really like, and the facilities have been great. So, yeah, I like it a lot,” said Duehr.
Duehr is used to change, and coming to San Jose is another chapter in his NHL career. So far, he has been a great addition to the team. We are looking forward to the rest of his season as a Shark.
