San Jose Sharks
Sharks Talk Trade Deadline Uncertainty, On & Off the Ice: ‘We would love to stay’

“Only worry about what you can control.”
That mantra will be heard across the NHL ahead of the Mar. 7 Trade Deadline.
In the San Jose Sharks locker room, that means trade candidates like Luke Kunin and Cody Ceci.
“Doesn’t change what I do,” Kunin said. “I just go out, try to get better every day, work hard, and help our team win. That’s all I’m thinking about.”
Also on the list are fellow pending UFAs Mikael Granlund, Nico Sturm, Jan Rutta, Vitek Vanecek, and Alexandar Georgiev.
Cody Ceci – who reiterated that he would love to stay – has seen how the Trade Deadline affects locker rooms. The 11-year NHL vet has played for the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ottawa Senators.
“I’ve seen it from both sides. I’ve been on some good teams and some bad teams at the Deadline,” Ceci said. “You’ve just got to be ready, but at the same time, you just spend as much time as you can together around these times, because you never know when you’re going to be gone.”
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier said he hasn’t discussed extensions with players yet, as he looks to keep his trade options open.
Despite the goal to focus only on hockey, Warsofsky highlighted the personal reality of the Trade Deadline for San Jose Sharks players with their families.
Ceci, for example, has a one-year old daughter, while Kunin’s wife Sophia – former PWHL Minnesota player – is pregnant.
“The human element of this business is real, and these players feel it. The UFAs, whoever it might be, they feel that,” Warsofsky said.
Ceci seconded that personal level, noting the close relationships he’s built with his teammates.
“Tough time of year. You get close with all these guys and spend so much time together and obviously you get attached, and you’re in it together,” Ceci said. “We would love to stay, but there’s also a business side of things where they have to move pieces around and think about the future. So I get that part as well, but I’d be more than willing to stay.”
And Warsofsky commended Grier’s efforts to be understanding of the difficulties, adding that Grier has been direct and open in his conversations with players surrounding potential trades.
“That’s the challenge [for] us, and as a staff and as an organization, to have a feel for that and have an understanding of that. And I think Mike does one of the best [jobs] of having that feel. He does a really good job. I’ve been around a few GMs now that it’s more cutthroat. He has a feel of [it], he’s been on the other side of that,” Warsofsky said of 14-year NHL veteran Grier.
For now, the San Jose Sharks will do their best to focus on the here and now.