The 2025 NHL Trade Deadline has officially come and gone, and it has been a crazy and eventful past few days leading up to this point, especially from the Sharks’ perspective. Let’s dive in:
This trade was completed last night, but it was best to push discussing it to today: The Sharks traded defenseman Jake Walman to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a conditional 2026 first-round pick and prospect forward Carl Berglund. Walman has been the Sharks’ best d-man this season, recording six goals and 26 assists for 32 points in 50 games. His point and assist totals for this season set career highs for him, while his 32 points lead all Sharks defensemen, while he also is tied for first among Sharks d-men in goals and third on the Sharks in assists. In addition, Jake Walman has one year left on his current contract. As for the Sharks' return, the conditional 2026 first-rounder is top-12 protected and may become a 2027 first-rounder if the selection lands in the top 12 for Edmonton. However, if the Oilers decide to trade their 2027 first-rounder prior to next year's trade deadline, the Oilers' 2026 first-rounder becomes the Sharks' first-round selection. Berglund is currently in the AHL and will certainly be reporting to the Barracuda as soon as possible. During the 2024-25 season, Carl Berglund registered two goals and ten assists for 12 points in 45 AHL games with the Bakersfield Condors. In total, Berglund has three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 63 career AHL games with Bakersfield between 2022 and 2025. I would have preferred that Jake Walman be part of the solution at the Sharks blue line, but this has been solid asset management by GM Mike Grier. It was somewhat shocking that Walman was dealt, and I will miss him in teal.
The first official deal that occurred on deadline day saw forward Luke Kunin dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick that originally belonged to the Blues. This season for the Sharks, Kunin has 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points in 63 games, leads the Sharks in hits with 163, and is ninth among NHL forwards in blocked shots with 64. Like with Nico Sturm, Kunin is a pending UFA and one of the players I was expecting the Sharks to trade before today's deadline. Anything in return for Luke Kunin would have been fine with me, and getting a fourth-rounder in return is not bad.
Another noteworthy transaction made by the Sharks on deadline day was not a trade but a signing, as they signed goalie Gabriel Carriere to a one-year, two-way contract for the remainder of this season. Carriere has been excellent for the Sharks' minor league affiliates this season, registering a 5-4-1 record, .902 save percentage, and 2.85 goals-against average in 10 AHL games with the Barracuda, along with a 14-9-2 record, 2.60 goals-against average, and .922 save percentage in 25 ECHL games with the Wichita Thunder. It is also worth noting that Carriere ranked third among ECHL goalies in shutouts with three during the 2024-25 campaign. This adds insurance to the Sharks organization at the netminder position, especially for the Barracuda in their push for the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The last trade the Sharks facilitated before today's deadline is more of an unexpected, head-scratching blockbuster, which sent forwards Fabian Zetterlund, Tristen Robins, and a fourth-round pick to the Ottawa Senators for forwards Zack Ostapchuk, Noah Gregor, and a second-round pick. This season for the Sharks, Fabian Zetterlund has been one of the Sharks' best forwards not named Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, or Tyler Toffoli, recording 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points in 64 games. He ranks third on the Sharks in goals, fifth in assists, and tied for seventh in points, and is also a pending restricted free agent. Reportedly the Sharks and Zetterlund's camp were not close to terms on a new contract, but this tade had more to do with how Mike Grier wants to shape this Sharks roster in the long term and when they eventually re-enter the playoff discussion in at least a few years. Over the course of his Sharks tenure, Fabian Zetterlund compiled 41 goals and 42 assists for 83 points in 168 games. As for the biggest piece the Sharks received in this deal, Zack Ostapchuk has compiled one goal and three assists for four points in 50 NHL games with Ottawa, along with 19 goals and 20 assists for 39 points in 84 AHL games with the Belleville Senators. Noah Gregor and Tristen Robins were added as sweeteners in this last trade, with Noah Gregor having previously played for the Sharks and Barracuda at times from 2019 to 2023. This season with Ottawa, Gregor recorded four goals and two assists for six points in 40 NHL games. During his first stint in San Jose, Gregor has been a mediocre bottom-six forward at best, which is another significant aspect that made this deal so head-scratching. On the other hand, Tristen Robins registered seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 41 games for the Barracuda in the AHL this season, bringing his career totals to 31 goals, 43 assists, and 74 points in 149 AHL games. Robins has also skated in three NHL games with the Sharks towards the end of the 2022-23 season.
Overall, the Sharks have had a great trade deadline this year with selling off necessary players and managing assets until the last trade was finalized involving Fabian Zetterlund. Although this last deal was confusing, at least the Sharks did not trade Mario Ferraro, who was linked to trade rumors prior to today's deadline, have nine draft picks in this year's draft, and plenty of top-six potential in their farm system. As for the remainder of this season, it is just a matter of attempting to fill out a roster for their remaining games, especially on the back end, and they will probably have to deplete the Barracuda roster in order to do so. I can guarantee that this Sharks team will get through the rest of the 2024-25 season in one piece and secure Macklin Celebrini his Calder Trophy, but things will definitely become interesting going forward and heading into the offseason for San Jose.
Sources: Sharks + SAP Center App, Curtis Pashelka via X, NHL Discussion via Instagram, Sharks Digest via YouTube
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