NHL Rumors: Sharks Linked To Potential Blockbuster Trade With Predators

Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi handles the puck during 2026 game.

Jeff Marek’s The Sheet tossed gasoline on the rumor mill this week when the show kicked around a true blockbuster idea: the San Jose Sharks calling the Nashville Predators about Roman Josi.

It wasn’t framed as a sure thing, but more as the kind of swing a team takes when it’s ready to level up fast, and Greg Wyshynski on the show put it bluntly by asking if San Jose should be “knocking” on Nashville’s door if the Predators unravel. Drew Remenda’s answer leaned into a more patient approach in the conversation.

Why Roman Josi is the kind of defenseman San Jose would chase

It doesn't need to be said, but Josi isn’t just a top-pair guy, he’s a franchise stalwart.

He’s Nashville’s captain, the 2019–20 Norris Trophy winner, and the Predators’ all-time points leader with 752 points in 1,000 games, becoming the first player in team history to hit 1,000 games all with the organization.

This season, he’s still producing like a difference-maker with 28 points in 37 games while logging heavy minutes at 23:27 per night for Nashville.

Should San Jose be looking to take a big swing?

Drew Remenda joins @JeffMarek and @wyshynski to break down the Sharks’ trajectory and whether it’s time to make a splash or stick to the long game.

Presented by @FanDuelCanada #SJSharks | @DailyFaceoff pic.twitter.com/hOdVcB4vAL
— The Sheet with Jeff Marek (@thesheethockey) January 21, 2026

If the Sharks ever decide internal growth isn’t enough, Josi is the exact archetype Remenda alluded to: the stud who changes what your blue line produces and how opponents have to defend you.

Josi has two more years remaining on his contract, with an AAV of $9.05M, and by the time that's over he'll be 38, so that might be the end of the road for him.

Obviously, bringing a veteran defenseman like Josi would be absolutely massive for the Sharks and their young players, especially Sam Dickinson on defense, but it would have to be quite an offer for Nashville to deal out a life-long Predator near the end of his career.

What the Predators would need

The hook in Marek’s roundtable was the Sharks’ timeline. Remenda pointed to San Jose bringing prospects along carefully and not wanting to gut chemistry or culture just to force a move early.

That’s why a Josi trade is so out there. Nashville wouldn’t even pick up the phone unless the return screamed future core pieces, and the Sharks would have to decide whether accelerating the build is worth paying that kind of price.