Even with the core pieces in place, GM Mike Grier and the Sharks are still in the process of a rebuild. Here are five players that could be trade candidates to other teams. The Sharks have arguably the best prospect pool in the NHL, but they have players on the current roster that don’t fit into the team’s timeline. These players may be in the prime of their career or have one year left on their contract with no plans to re-sign with the organization. Grier may look to move on from these players to receive additional assets to be used later on. So let’s take a look at some of these players and why they could be moved.
Five Sharks Trade Candidates
#5 – Klim Kostin
As we discussed in the ‘Five Intriguing San Jose Sharks To Watch In The 2024-25 Season’ article, Kostin could have a big year. He hasn’t really had a full opportunity in the NHL yet, which he’s likely to see this season. He had a strong 19-game stint with the Sharks following the trade from the Detroit Red Wings, which showed his potential. Kostin plays a big, strong game that you see on a lot of playoff teams that San Jose would like to see.
The issue lies in his age and contract situation. He is 25 years old and will become a restricted free agent at the end of the year, meaning that the Sharks don’t have to rush anything. But with the current core and the young players in the system, it’s hard to imagine Kostin having a spot on the long-term roster. Grier may look to capitalize on this timeline and let Kostin find a full-time role with another organization.
#4 – Mackenzie Blackwood/Vitek Vanecek
When Grier traded for Yaroslav Askarov, the expectation was that he would play in the NHL. San Jose also signed Vanecek in the off-season, while still having Blackwood on the roster, leaving the team with three goaltenders. Make no mistake, this is Askarov’s net for the foreseeable future. Askarov requested a trade from Nashville because he wasn’t going to be given an opportunity as the starter. He will in San Jose. The question for the Sharks is who do they trade for more assets? Both players have one year left on their contracts, while Vanecek has the larger AAV ($3.4M compared to Blackwood’s $2.35M). Once Askarov is ready to take the net full-time, and if one of them has a good season, teams could view them as strong trade candidates.
#3 – Nico Sturm
Sturm has continued his solid play during his two years with the Sharks. In 2022-23, he exploded for 14 goals and 26 points, both career highs. However, Sturm is more known for his defensive game and ability to play the full 200 feet. Last season, Sturm finished fifth in the entire NHL in faceoff percentage, at 60.1%. Yes, this is ahead of some of the best faceoff-takers in the NHL, like John Tavares, Vincent Trocheck, and Sidney Crosby. In addition, Sturm has accumulated 175 hits and shown the ability to take the puck away over the last two years. The GM of any contending team would be lying to you if they said that Sturm wouldn’t have a role on their team. He is a prime trade deadline candidate and may fetch a good return.
#2 – Jan Rutta
Similar to Sturm, Rutta is a veteran piece who has played good hockey with the Sharks. Since coming over in the Erik Karlsson trade, he’s embraced the defensive defenseman role that he’s always played. He blocked over 100 shots and logged just under 20 minutes per game for the first time in his career. He also boasts a Stanley Cup pedigree as a member of both cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning teams. We’ve seen the returns on right-handed defencemen in recent years that play like Rutta, including Chris Tanev. With another good season, Rutta could be another piece that a contender adds for their playoff run.
The Top Trade Candidate – Mikael Granlund
Granlund may have the most trade value of any of the Sharks’ veteran players. Since he’s been here, Granlund has given San Jose a boost in his time with the team. In 2023-24, Granlund accumulated the second-most assists of his career. With his high trade value, San Jose may move him for a big return. He’ll turn 33 in February, so there isn’t a place for him on the roster long-term. In addition, he is entering the final year of his contract before unrestricted free agency. If there is no plan to re-sign Granlund, then acquiring some assets for him is paramount.
With that being said, there is still a scenario where the Sharks hang on to Granlund for this season and let him play. Then, after the year, signing him to a short-term deal and keeping his skills around the team. Regardless of their decision, Granlund would still garner a big return.
What is the Best Path Forward?
As mentioned, San Jose has one of the best prospect pools in the league. They don’t have to trade any of their established pieces to bolster the system, so the decision is up to Grier. There is a real and viable option for San Jose to hold on to players like Granlund and let them play with the kids. The likeliest option is that Blackwood or Vanecek gets moved. With Askarov now on the roster, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to keep three goalies. There’s no right or wrong answer to how Grier should handle this. The biggest thing is to evaluate if the return is worth giving up the player. If it’s not, expect to see these players on the roster until the end of the year.
Main Photo: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
