The San Jose Sharks are one of the most exciting teams in the NHL, but their offensively talented youth movement hasn’t yet translated into many wins. As a result, the team is expected to continue selling at the trade deadline and pursuing top draft picks for another year or two.
Currently, the Sharks sit near the bottom of the league with a 2-6-2 record. With struggles mounting, rumors are already swirling about potential trades involving some of their veterans.
“He’s holding down the Sharks’ second line quite well, and a team looking for middle-six depth down the center, well, there are many who will covet his skillset,” said a source. The center market is anticipated to generate strong returns this year’s trade deadline, as teams look to upgrade their middle-six centers for the playoff push.
One of the top candidates gaining attention is Alexander Wennberg. Alongside him, there are also rumors involving Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames and Pavel Zacha of the Boston Bruins. These players are expected to spark a bidding war among teams eager to bolster their rosters.
The Sharks’ young core further complicates their situation. Trading Wennberg would open the door for last year’s first-round pick, Michael Misa, to receive more ice time. While it’s challenging for San Jose to earn wins against veteran teams with such a youthful roster, the experience Misa would gain playing in the top six for the remainder of the season would be invaluable.
“My only question about Wennberg is: ‘Do the Sharks try to move him out earlier to give Michael Misa top-six minutes sooner?’” the source added.
San Jose might find a team willing to jump ahead of rivals by acquiring Wennberg early. Historically, players joining contending teams perform better when given a few extra weeks or months to acclimate to their new surroundings.
While this approach may take some drama out of trade deadline day, this could be a year when teams choose the early move rather than waiting until the last minute.
https://clutchpoints.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/sharks-rumors-san-joses-top-trade-chip-2025-26
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