NHL trade deadline: Some Sharks players ‘probably holding their breath a little bit’
The Sharks may have locked up center Tomas Hertl to a long-term contract extension but that doesn’t mean assistant general manager Joe Will will be quiet between now and Monday’s NHL trade deadline.
Forwards Alexander Barabanov and Andrew Cogliano and defenseman Jaycob Megna are all pending unrestricted free agents and defenseman Jacob Middleton has drawn interest from a handful of teams. All four players are earning $1 million or less this season, potentially making them attractive targets for cap-strapped teams looking to add depth for a playoff push.
The Sharks, per a source, have not initiated any contract talks with Barabanov after the Hertl deal was completed, and Tampa Bay, Boston, Toronto, and St. Louis have all reached out to the Sharks and Will about Middleton, according to Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic.
Middleton, 26, has averaged over 19 minutes of ice time per game this season as he’s been paired with both Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns at different times. Much like Brenden Dillon two years ago, Middleton has a physical, no-nonsense style and an easygoing off-ice personality that would seem to fit easily into any NHL locker room.
In February 2020, Dillon, a pending UFA, was traded to the Washington Capitals for a 2020 second-round pick and a conditional third-rounder last year. The Sharks used the second-rounder to select forward Tristen Robins and dealt the 2021 third-rounder to Montreal for a 2020 fourth-round pick that turned into forward Brandon Coe.
Robins, 20, is tied for ninth in the WHL in scoring with 72 points in 55 games. Coe, also 20, is fifth in the OHL with 83 points in 52 games.
Will said he’s talked to every general manager in the NHL “numerous times” and won’t hesitate to pull the trigger on a deal if he feels it makes sense for the Sharks.
“People ask if you’re a buyer or seller, I say we’re a listener,” Will said Wednesday, “and you’re a listener because if it’s a great deal for the franchise, now or in the future, you have to weigh it and that’s what we’re looking at. We know that we’re trying to replenish and get some talent in this roster.”
The Sharks entered Thursday’s game with the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena eight points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for the Western Conference’s second wild-card spot, but in seventh place in the Pacific Division.
The Sharks have been sellers at the deadline in previous seasons and, realistically, have to start laying the groundwork for next season and beyond after Hertl was signed to an eight-year, $65.1 million contract extension on Wednesday.
“It is nice (for Hertl) to get that over with,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said Thursday about the uncertainty Hertl had faced. “I know there are a few other guys that are probably thinking the same thing right now and are probably holding their breath a little bit until Monday.
“So we’re dealing with it and I think we’ve dealt with it pretty well.”
Three years ago, Cogliano was traded from Anaheim to the Dallas Stars as the Ducks’ own teardown began in earnest as the club began to get younger. Dallas made the playoffs that season but lost to St. Louis in the second round in seven games.
“It’s part of the business,” Cogliano said.”This time of the year when guys are unrestricted, that’s what happens. Their names are out there and if teams can get assets for them, they usually do.
“I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve played 100 playoff games. I’ve been a guy that loves playing in the playoffs. I think it’s the one reason why you play this game, really, is to play in the playoffs with the amount of emotion and how fun it is. But you just continue to play and you see what happens.”