SJHN Daily: 3 Sharks Draft Trends, Assessing Karlsson Trade 1 Year Later

It’s the one-year anniversary of the Erik Karlsson trade.

It's been one year since EK65 was traded to the Steel City.

How would you grade this trade for all three teams a year later? pic.twitter.com/NXWGO0MsBy

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 6, 2024

Early returns look good for the San Jose Sharks!

Karlsson was not quite as electric in his first year with the Pittsburgh Penguins as he was during his 2022-23 Norris Trophy-winning campaign, so right now, it appears that GM Mike Grier sold 30-something Karlsson at a high.

The Penguins’ 2024 first-round pick that the Sharks received, not expected to be a lottery selection at the time, landed in the back of the lottery at No. 14. San Jose then flipped that pick to the Buffalo Sabres to move up to No. 11 in the 2024 Draft, where they selected top defensive prospect Sam Dickinson.

As for the veterans that the San Jose Sharks received, it’s been a mixed bag, but considering they were all salary dumps, a mixed bag is honestly probably better than expected.

Mikael Granlund has been a revelation, bouncing back from a tough stint with the Pens to become both the Sharks’ best player and an alternate captain after Tomas Hertl was traded last year. He brought both respectability on the ice and meaningful leadership off the ice. Headed into the last year of his contract, the Sharks could consider extending him — if they choose not to, there should be a decent trade market for the solid middle-six center.

Stay-at-home defenseman Jan Rutta weathered tough minutes last season, and headed into the last year of his contract, San Jose might be able to flip the two-time Stanley Cup winner for a late-round pick during the next Trade Deadline.

Sniper Mike Hoffman struggled for most of last season, and didn’t garner any interest last Trade Deadline. There doesn’t appear to be many NHL options for the UFA winger right now.

Of course, the jury is still out on this trade. Besides Karlsson’s short-term and Dickinson’s long-term future, the San Jose Sharks also opened up a lot of cap space when they traded Karlsson, retaining just $1.5 million AAV of his $11.5 million AAV.

Let’s see how San Jose, who likely could’ve received more assets in trade if they retained more AAV, uses the cap space in 2025-26 and 2026-27, the last two years of Karlsson’s contract.

At San Jose Hockey Now…

What made Joe Pavelski such a special player? Doug Wilson, Brenden Dillon, Rob Scuderi, Peter DeBoer, Todd McLellan and more share their thoughts.

Macklin Celebrini is excited for training camp.

Other Sharks News…

San Jose Hockey Now Podcast co-host Keegan McNally has observed three Draft trends under San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier:

1. Big, Skilled, Project Forwards Come First
2. No Small Forwards, but Maybe Small Defenders?
3. Goaltending Is a Late-Round Venture

Keegan goes into detail about each trend here!

Chris Peters has both Quentin Musty and Brandon Svoboda making Team USA in his early 2025 WJCs roster projection.

William Eklund joins Locked On Sharks.

Gabe Carriere joins Cuda Confidential.

It’s official, Igor Chernyshov signs with the Saginaw Spirit.

Around the NHL…

Should the Pittsburgh Penguins…part with Sidney Crosby?

Ex-San Jose Sharks defenseman Jaycob Megna talks about coming back home to the Florida Panthers.

Could the Philadelphia Flyers target UFAs Kevin Labanc or Calen Addison?

Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers are off to a “nothing negative” start to contract talks.

The Colorado Avalanche have signed Oliver Kylington.

Is the rarest Detroit Red Wings hockey card…of Mike Ilitch?

Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon explains taking a chance on Alexander Holtz.

Steven Ellis is tireless! He’s moved on from the World Junior Summer Showcase in Michigan to covering the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton. Here are his Day 1 standouts!