2023 Draft: Sharks Rumors, Makiniemi Signs, Trade Rumblings

NASHVILLE — Here’s what I’m hearing about the San Jose Sharks from the Draft floor.

The San Jose Sharks, at the moment, have the No. 4 and 26 picks of the first round. The rest of the rounds will be tomorrow morning.

9:02 PM

Musty to Sharks at No. 26

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 29, 2023

8:38 PM

The Philadelphia Flyers step in to take Oliver Bonk at No. 22.

8:33 PM

I can appreciate this, as someone who’s been at Tootsie’s until closing two nights in a row:

Bill Guerin thanks Tootsie's for keeping the Wild "well-hydrated" and "entertained" 😆

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 29, 2023

8:13 PM

I get the sense that the San Jose Sharks, in general, are sticking with the theme of size in the blueline. I don’t think it matters quite as much up front, as we can see with 6-foot-0 Smith, but on the blueline, just look at recent Grier adds to the defensive pipeline, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Nikita Ohotiuk, Henry Thrun, and Valtteri Pulli. So for No. 26? Just a guess, 6-foot-2 all-around defender Oliver Bonk still on the board right now.

 7:15 PM

Smith says he is going to dev camp next week

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 29, 2023

6:38 PM

Patrick Marleau makes the pick: Will Smith.

They're playing "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" theme as Smith walks up 😆

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 28, 2023

6:33 PM

I believe it will be Smith to the Sharks.

6:31 PM

Columbus goes Fantilli.

6:24 PM

Holy shit it is Carlsson to the Ducks. Could Fantilli drop to the Sharks??

6:08 PM

I still believe the Sharks’ pick comes down to who’s available for them at No. 4, Will Smith or Leo Carlsson. As I mentioned on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast last week, there’s real talk about the Columbus Blue Jackets taking Smith at No. 3. I still think the Draft goes Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Carlsson, then Smith to the San Jose Sharks.

There also continues to be momentum behind the Anaheim Ducks taking Carlsson at No. 2.

5:09 PM

The Preds have also called San Jose on the 4th overall pick, the Sharks continue to get a number of teams calling on their pick. https://t.co/Q69dXtM9qc

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 28, 2023

3:42 PM

The #SJSharks re-signed 24 y/o RFA F Makiniemi to 1 year 775K Cap Hit deal

NHL 775K
Guaranteed 145K

Rep'd by Murray Koontz WD Sportshttps://t.co/gkcg3rIgJ0

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 28, 2023

As San Jose Hockey Now reported three weeks ago:

SOURCE: Expect Makiniemi Back With Sharks

My belief is they will also qualify Jonah Gadjovich. We’ll see about their other RFAs, but Jacob Peterson and Fabian Zetterlund seem like no-brainers.

REPORT: Petry to Sharks, Penguins Interested in Kahkonen?