NHL Rumours: San Jose Sharks Defence Trade Deadline Plans

It’s time for some more NHL rumours. We’re under a week away from the trade deadline. This means we’re hearing plenty of chatter until the big day arrives. General managers are going to everything they can do to improve their rosters or collect assets. Some teams are in that are in this gray area of whether or not they should try to make a push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs or not.

One of these teams that has some decisions to make before the trade deadline is the San Jose Sharks. This edition of NHL rumours deals with what the team might try to do with their defensive group in the next week or so.

All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.

NHL Rumours

A Look at What the San Jose Sharks Might Do with Their Defence at the Trade Deadline

Rumour: We take a look at some of the most recent rumours regarding the Sharks’ defence. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period talked about how many of the team’s blueliners could be available at the deadline.

Analysis: Coming into Saturday’s action, the Sharks are on the outside looking in of the postseason. San Jose has made some great stride thanks to youngsters like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. However, Sharks general manager Mike Grier still has some work to do before the team takes the next step.

Grier has done a great job of accelerating the rebuild and drawing the team close to contention. The 2024-25 season was one to forget but fans can see the tangible progress on this roster.

We could see the charges decide to go for it. They’ve already made a few moves like getting Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks. However, Grier might try to lay up and wait one more season before really going all in.

There are four unrestricted free agent defencemen on the Sharks’ roster and Grier could spin them into building blocks. Mario Ferraro. Timothy Liljegren. Vincent Desharnais and John Klingberg are all UFAs at the season. Each of them could bring some assets to the Sharks should a trade or two be made.

What It Means

All four defenders could be trade chips at the deadline. Ferraro’s name was mentioned at the 2025 deadline, but the Sharks decided to hang onto the 27-year-old blueliner. The versatile defenceman carries a digestible $3.25 million cap hit, which could be easy for a team to take on.

Klingberg, who carries the highest cap hit at $4 million, has found some of that old magic and could be used on a second power-play unit. The Swede is a veteran puck-mover, which is sought after at the deadline.

Liljegren makes $3 million while Desharnais has a $2 million cap blow. All four deals could be something a contender could take on and could lead the Sharks to getting some valuable assets.

A more recent report from Pagnotta notes that both the Colorado Avalanche and the Carolina Hurricanes could be in on Ferraro. Pagnotta notes that Colorado has had their eye on Ferraro for much of the season. However, he could help be a good bottom-pair option for the Hurricanes.