The San Jose Sharks are currently at a crossroads with the No. 2 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, and the buzz around potential trades is heating up. NHL insider Chris Johnston has revealed that both the Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues have expressed interest in acquiring this coveted spot.
Johnston shared on his podcast that the Leafs are actively pursuing the opportunity to move up, while the Blues are equally eager, armed with four first-round picks. This includes selections acquired through trades involving players like Justin Faulk and Jordan Kyrou, giving them a strong hand to play in negotiations. The Blues' motivation is clear - they’re looking to leverage their draft capital to make immediate improvements to their roster.
A particularly intriguing subplot is the connection between St. Louis and Ivar Stenberg, the consensus No. 2 prospect, whose brother Otto was picked by the Blues in the 2023 Draft. This familial link could add an extra layer of interest for the Blues in securing that No. 2 pick.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have their own assets, including the Buffalo Sabres’ second-round pick this year and the Colorado Avalanche’s first-round pick next year. There's also the possibility of including 23-year-old winger Matthew Knies in trade discussions, as his name has frequently surfaced in rumors.
Despite these enticing offers, the Sharks appear to be focusing on bolstering their blueline with high-end talent in their twenties, akin to Bo Byram's caliber, something neither the Leafs nor the Blues seem to have readily available.
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier has hinted at a "real interesting" offer for the No. 2 pick, sparking curiosity about what might be on the table.
In other Sharks news, the team has re-signed Ethan Cardwell, a move that signals their commitment to developing young talent within their ranks. Additionally, the Sharks' development camp details have been announced, promising a closer look at the future of the franchise.
Beyond the Sharks, the NHL landscape is bustling with activity. The Chicago Blackhawks have made a splash by trading for Bowen Byram, while the Colorado Avalanche continue to shuffle their forwards, with Valeri Nichushkin being the latest to move. The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Hendrix Lapierre, and the Buffalo Sabres have added Olen Zellweger to their roster.
Elsewhere, the Florida Panthers have been active, bringing in Brady Tkachuk and Garnet Hathaway, while the Minnesota Wild are reportedly interested in Vincent Trocheck. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils are taking a calculated risk on Amadeus Lombardi.
As the NHL Draft approaches, the excitement and speculation continue to build, with teams maneuvering to position themselves for both immediate impact and long-term success. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds and the future of these franchises takes shape.
In Other News...
Sharks Fans Are About To Have Feelings Over Brent Burns New Deal
Brent Burns is heading into another season with a familiar kind of spotlight, the sort that follows a player whose next move still resonates in San Jose. The long-time Sharks defenseman has carved out a career that made him one of the most recognizable figures of his era, and any time he lands a fresh contract, it tends to hit a nerve with fans who watched him become a franchise centerpiece.
His latest deal is built around a modest base salary with performance bonuses tied to games played and average ice time, a structure that suggests both flexibility and one more chance to stay in the lineup and contribute. Burns also enters the year chasing the one prize that has eluded him, and for Sharks fans, that familiar pursuit is exactly why this update is going to stir up a few feelings. [Read more 🡒]
Sharks Just Made A Telling Decision About Their Blue Line
San Joses blue line is already starting to take shape, and Michael Kesselring is now part of the long-term plan. The Sharks locked up the restricted free agent defenseman on a three-year contract after acquiring him from Buffalo on June 17, a move that brought another young, NHL-tested piece into a defense group that has been in flux all offseason.
The timing matters because the Sharks do not have much certainty behind him. Kesselring, Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson are the only defensemen with notable NHL experience currently signed for next season, while Shakir Mukhamadullin remains unsigned and several others are headed toward free agency or still in contract discussions. For a team still sorting out what its back end should look like, this was a pretty clear signal about which players it wants to build around. [Read more 🡒]
Former Shark Alexander Barabanov Reportedly Has A New Overseas Landing Spot
Alexander Barabanovs next stop overseas appears to be taking shape after his return to the Kontinental Hockey League following his time with the Sharks. After leaving San Jose, the winger signed a two-year deal with Ak Bars Kazan and settled back into familiar KHL territory, giving that club a veteran scorer who could still tilt a lineup with his pace and finishing touch.
Now, after 131 games in Kazan and another productive run in Russia, Barabanov is reportedly on track for a new chapter with a club trying to climb a little higher in the standings. The deal is said to carry a hefty salary and is tied to a future season, a sign that his market remains strong even as Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg continues adding pieces in hopes of finally making a deeper playoff push. [Read more 🡒]