Sharks & Rangers Agreed to Alexander Barabanov Trade

The San Jose Sharks were sellers ahead of this season's trade deadline and while GM Mike Grier was able to make a couple of moves, including sending Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights, from the sounds of it, there was supposed to be another trade completed with the New York Rangers.

Alexander Barabanov was on his way to New York, and then he wasn't. Sheng Peng of SJ Hockey Now was all over the story and shined some light on the fine details of how things shaped up before Friday afternoon:

The Tomas Hertl trade happened. In a shocker, the Sharks sent their franchise icon to the hated Vegas Golden Knights. As part of the deal, San Jose used their last salary retention slot on Hertl, a salary retention slot that was meant for Barabanov. San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier said as much yesterday, on retaining on Hertl, “It definitely came into play today. Unfortunately, it might have knocked us out of maybe a deal.” A source told San Jose Hockey Now that Barabanov was about to be dealt to the New York Rangers, before the Hertl shocker reached the finish line about 20 minutes away from the Trade Deadline. What the San Jose Sharks would’ve got back from New York is unknown.The Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche, and Edmonton Oilers were also in the mix.

Grier felt the Hertl deal was much more important for the organization over moving Barabanov. Rightfully so. Now, the Russian winger stays in San Jose down the stretch instead of playing for a Stanley Cup. He's a pending unrestricted free agent and is looking to once again find his offensive touch down the stretch to cash in this summer.

Photo credit:  Josh Lee- USA Today