Deprecated: Automatic conversion of false to array is deprecated in /var/www/hockeybuzz.com/classes/clsBlog.php on line 243 HockeyBuzz.com - Ben Shelley - Sharks’ trade candidates unlikely to bring back big returns
Coming into the season, there wasn’t much confusion as to how the San Jose Sharks’ year was likely to play out. As a rebuilding team, the Sharks were poised to struggle, and were probably always destined to finish towards the bottom of the Pacific Division.
However, one thing the Sharks would’ve seemingly been able to benefit from would be the trade deadline. With Alexander Barabanov coming off a big year, and both Anthony Duclair and Mike Hoffman joining the team on expiring contracts, it seemed as though San Jose would be well-positioned to flip players and bring back some assets.
But nearly three-quarters of the way through the season, many of the Sharks’ obvious trade candidates haven't been able to build up their value.
Barabanov is coming off scoring 15 goals and 47 points in 69 games last season – a pace of 56 points per 82 games. It would’ve been optimal to move him this summer with another year on his contract at just a $2.5 million cap hit for a maximum return, but after keeping him for the year, his value has surely plummeted. This season, the winger has managed just three goals and 10 point across 37 games though, a pace of just 22 points per 82.
Meanwhile, Duclair was the most exciting offseason addition, coming off successful years with the Florida Panthers.
While Duclair has had a better stretch as of late, with five goals over his last eight games, it’s still been an underwhelming year. The forward has managed 13 goals and 22 points in 53 games, a pace of 34 points per 82. Duclair may be the team’s best trade bait, but considering the Sharks only paid a depth forward and fifth-round pick to acquire him this offseason, it’s hard to see Duclair bringing San Jose more than a mid-round pick if he's dealt within the next week.
Mike Hoffman, who was acquired in what was more or less a cap dump by the Montreal Canadiens, has also failed to raise his value. With just 20 points in 56 games, it’s probably unlikely any playoff team would have any interest in the forward.
There’s also the chance we see Kaapo Kahkonen moved, given the netminder is on an expiring contract. But with just an .898 save percentage, even if it’s coming behind a team that he doesn’t get much help from, Kahkonen still probably isn't going to fetch the Sharks much either.
The players on the team who may carry the most value, in Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture are extremely unlikely to be moved based on age and remaining contract status (not to mention Hertl’s current injury, and Couture missing most of this season). Then obviously, anyone who can be part of the team’s long-term plan, like William Eklund or Fabian Zetterlund, are safe. I’d include Mario Ferraro in this group as well. He’s still only 25 years old and is pretty clearly the Sharks’ top defenseman, so while his name has been mentioned as a trade candidate, it’s tough to see this making much sense for the team unless they can pull a pretty huge return.
Mikael Granlund could still be an option for the Sharks to move, given his resurgence since joining the Sharks. At the same time though, the forward still has another year on his current contract at $5 million, so the Sharks would have to retain salary, and it’s debatable as to whether any team would be willing to take that risk after some down years for Granlund.
Nico Sturm and Jan Rutta could also be trade options, but still have a year remaining on their respective contracts. Each provides value within a pretty thin Sharks’ group, so there’s certainly an argument that it’s more worthwhile for the Sharks to hang onto either player for the time being.
So despite the Sharks’ possible trade bait looking pretty interesting coming into the year, it’s tough to see the Sharks bringing back any major assets at the deadline, given how each player's year has played out. This year, there’s no Timo Meier or Erik Karlsson to move in order to really take a step in the rebuild. So while the team does have obvious pieces to move in Alexander Barabanov, Anthony Duclair or Kaapo Kahkonen, it’s difficult to think we’ll see any sizeable return of future assets ahead of the trade deadline.
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