NHL Trade Rumors: San Jose Sharks considering 5 trade targets to upgrade defence
Keep an eye on the San Jose Sharks once the roster freeze is over as GM Mike Grier is working hard to upgrade his blueline. The Sharks are expected to make multiple trades to add defencemen, as they're looking to options to they can either sign to contract extensions, or already have term on their contracts.
The Sharks have surprised this season, and will come out of the Olympics with a 27-24-4 record, sitting five points out of a playoff spot. Grier has a boatload of cap space to work with, lots of draft capital and prospects to dangle in trades.
San Jose is active. Two signed defencemen after this year: Sam Dickinson and Dmitri Orlov. Eying more, while also trying to alleviate their contract logjam, at 49 out of a maximum 50 - 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman
As far as trade targets go, Winnipeg Jets Logan Stanley is someone who would give the Sharks a different look on the back end, as Stanley is a towering presence, plays with a mean streak, and so far this season is having a career year offensively. Stanley's a pending free agent and could see the Sharks as a perfect opportunity to sign an extension, and play a bigger role on an up-and-coming team the next few years.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson is available in Toronto and would immediately give the Sharks a top-pair defencemen. OEL is signed through the 2028 season at a very reasonable $3.5 million AAV and since he's playing out of his mind this year for the Leafs, GM Brad Treliving will work a hard bargain in trade talks. We'll see if Grier budges.
The Calgary Flames are open to moving Zach Whitecloud and the Sharks make sense as a suitor. Whitecloud was acquired as part of the Rasmus Andersson trade, but GM Craig Conroy has made it clear to onlooking teams that Whitecloud is available. The right-handed defencemen is signed through the 2028 season at $2.7 million AAV, and does not have any trade protections.
Tyler Myers of the Vancouver Canucks is on the market. He's signed for next season at $3 million AAV and this season, owns a full no-movement clause, however with the Canucks rebuilding, Myers could see playing in San Jose as the perfect destination for the next chapter of his career. The Sharks only have two d-men signed next season, Myers provides more stability heading into next year and a veteran towering presence on the right side.
Grier and Rangers' GM Chris Drury are the best of friends, so naturally, there's some connection there, and the fact the two teams align as trade partners could be writing on the wall. The Rangers are open for business as they're last in the Eastern Conference and Braden Schneider or Will Borgen could be in play in trade talks.
Sharks are making moves, there's no doubt about that, who they wind up adding on the blueline is the question.
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