NHL Rumors: Sharks GM Shoots Down 1-for-1 Trade Rumor
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Grier on how much the #SJSharks went after #NJDevils Nemec: “That wasn't really, I think that was more kind of, I don't know, Twitter stuff or whatever, whatever it is. It's somewhere you you kind of call and see if someone's is available, and then see what the asking price is.…
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) March 6, 2026
Mike Grier Denies William Eklund for Simon Nemec Talk
According to Grier, the Sharks did what most teams do this time of year: they made a call, checked on a player’s availability, and gauged the price.
That was it.
He described the rumor as more “Twitter stuff” than anything substantial, adding that there was never any real traction to the conversation.
That lines up with reporting from James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now, who said no names were formally discussed and that Eklund was never actually on the table.
The San Jose Sharks dangled William Eklund to try and get Simon Nemec, but the New Jersey Devils said no in the end.
— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) March 6, 2026
The 23-year-old winger is viewed as one of the core pieces of the Sharks’ rebuild and already has back-to-back productive seasons under his belt. Over the past three seasons, Eklund has 44 goals and 141 points across 214 games played.
He has been a steady top-six presence for a young San Jose team, and moving a player like that for a defenseman, even one as talented as Nemec, would have been a massive swing.
From those I spoke with that Eklund deal wasn’t on the table for Nemec
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) March 6, 2026
Different people hear different things. As far as I know this was talked about. #njdevils #thefutureisteal https://t.co/53LiM8HOn0
Sharks Keep Core Intact as Devils Weigh Nemec Future
Nemec, meanwhile, remains one of the more fascinating young players to watch heading into the offseason.
The former second overall pick is coming off an entry-level deal and still carries major upside as an offensive right-shot defenseman.
The Devils were reportedly willing to listen on him before the deadline, but only for a return that would meaningfully improve their top six. That high asking price helps explain why things never got serious with San Jose.
Fitzgerald on Nemec's future: "That's something we'll go through when the season ends and see where his head's at. How does he see his future with what we have here already, where he fits, does he like New Jersey? What's his thoughts? I'll go through that with his (new) agent."
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) March 6, 2026
Grier admitted the club poked around on players with term and even had premium assets available in talks, but he was not interested in forcing a move that did not fit their bigger picture.
Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
