Report: Rangers & Sharks Emerging as Draft-Day Trade Partners

Several insiders have pointed out that this offseason, expect to see more trades than we've seen in years past. With the salary cap going up by $8.5 million and several teams within the top-10 draft picks who are looking to move their picks, there's going to be some huge deals announced next month.

Two teams in particular on are many insider's radars - San Jose Sharks and New York Rangers. The Sharks are looking to either land a scoring top-line winger or a top-pair defenceman for their number two overall pick, but could move down and accept less depending on what draft pick they still end up with. That's why the Rangers at #5 are fitting as a trade partner, as they have Alexis Lafreniere, Adam Fox and Vincent Trocheck, who are expected to be dangled in trade talks by GM Chris Drury.

David Pagnotta: Re Sharks 2nd overall pick: We assume Gavin McKenna's going [1st overall], you have Ivar Stenberg at 2, do the Rangers wanna go in that direction? Would they be willing to package the 5th overall pick with additional assets - DFO Rundown (5/7)

The Sharks have the most cap space of any team in the league, they have only two NHL defencemen signd for next season, and Mike Grier was shocked to see his team jump up to the number two slot at the draft. Now, it's on Grier to find Macklin Celebrini some proven NHL talent, and adding a defenceman like Fox could be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Fox, 28, has three seasons left on his deal at $9.5 million AAV, and does hold a full no-movement clause. Fox controls his own destiny, however, with the Rangers heading for a rebuild/retool, and the Sharks up-and-coming, and also in sunny California with less media pressure, Fox may see San Jose as the perfect next step for his career.

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