NHL Trade Rumors: Sharks Interested In Adding Young Talent To Blueline

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the San Jose Sharks are looking to add young blueline talent to pair with Shakir Mukhamadullin and rookie Sam Dickinson. 

With Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund and Michael Misa headlining the forward group and Yaroslav Askarov in net, management’s next phase is reinforcing the back end for the long term. That mandate tracks with recent behavior dating to last season, as the front office has been canvassing for young defensemen who fit the team’s timeline. 

The waiver claim of 22-year-old Vincent Iorio from the Washington Capitals is a clean example of the profile they’re chasing.

The #Sharks have placed defenseman Timothy Liljegren on Injured Reserve, per @CurtisPashelka

John Klingberg is on the ice today despite also missing yesterday’s practice. pic.twitter.com/nGN1vFsJYQ

— SJSharksNews (@SJSharksNewsIG) October 16, 2025

Young blueline targets and trade chips

Five veteran defenders are on expiring deals (Mario Ferraro, Timothy Liljegren, John Klingberg, Vincent Desharnais and Nick Leddy), and league sources expect general manager Mike Grier to be active ahead of the deadline. 

While Pagnotta notes Ferraro hasn’t asked out, he is open to a fresh start, which could make him a valuable trade chip in a seller’s market. 

In the short term, injuries add moving parts. Liljegren landed on injured reserve after a hard spill against the Carolina Hurricanes, creating minutes for Desharnais and potentially more runway for Dickinson.

Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images