Sheng Peng
Trade rumors are swirling around more San Jose Sharks players than Erik Karlsson and Timo Meier right now.
I’ve reached out to an NHL source from outside the San Jose Sharks organization to get a sense of what the market is for players like Alexander Barabanov, Nico Sturm, Matt Benning, Mario Ferraro, James Reimer, Nick Bonino, Matt Nieto, Steven Lorentz, Jaycob Megna, and Jonah Gadjovich.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Kevin Labanc and Radim Simek’s contracts are still prohibitive to trade, by the way, so I don’t think those deals are going out the door without salary retention or other sweeteners.
So what are trade values for San Jose Sharks besides Karlsson and Meier, and are those values enough for GM Mike Grier to pull the trigger?
Let’s work through the Sharks’ depth assets, starting with Mario Ferraro and in order of AAV:
Mario Ferraro (age: 24)
Contract Expires: 2025-26 (UFA)
AAV: $3.25 million
Source: “Maybe a second-rounder? His compete level is off the charts. I don’t think his contract is that bad.”
Alexander Barabanov (28)
Contract Expires: 2023-24 (UFA)
AAV: $2.5 million
Source: “I think a third-rounder would be the highest value.
“If he ends up on a playoff team, is he an everyday player?
“Probably more of a hedge if you need some depth. If a guy gets hurt or he’s not playing well, now you have the luxury of a player that you can plug in.
“I think there are plenty of players like him that can do just as good of a job.”
James Reimer (34)
Contract Expires: 2022-23 (UFA)
AAV: $2.25 million
Source: “You’re probably looking at a fourth or a fifth. He’s just security for a team like maybe Tampa Bay that doesn’t trust [their back-up Brian] Elliott.”
Nick Bonino (34)
Contract Expires: 2022-23 (UFA)
AAV: $2.05 million
Source: “A fifth? His game has fallen off, but he can play a few positions. He’s good on the draw. Good on the penalty kill. He knows his role. He’s experienced. A playoff team might use him as a fourth-line center.
“Bonino is probably more attractive than Nieto because he’s a bigger body and can play center.”
Nico Sturm (27)
Contract Expires: 2024-25 (UFA)
AAV: $2 million
“Sturm is a tough one for me because if he were a rental, then I think you would garner a lot of interest. But the term is a little problematic for teams. I know he’s young, but how many teams want to pay [that much for] a fourth-line center?
“I don’t think you’re gonna love him as a third-line player consistently, so I think the term might actually might get his [value] down.
“On an expiring contract, you’re probably looking at maybe a third-round pick. With the contract, you’re probably looking at maybe a fourth or fifth.”
Matt Benning (28)
Contract Expires: 2025-26 (UFA)
AAV: $1.25 million
Source: “He’s more of a No. 7 defenseman for me.
“If a team sees him as a very good bottom-pairing guy, then I’d say an ask would be around a second. But I don’t see his value anywhere close to that.”
It’s worth noting that Grier appears to value longer-term off-season signings Sturm and Benning perhaps more highly than some of the rest of the industry:
Steven Lorentz (26)
Contract Expires: 2023-24 (UFA)
AAV: $1.05 million
Source: “If they wanted to move him, they might be able to get a fourth-round pick for him. He’s not old.
“He’s big and long, he kills penalties. Skates pretty well for his size. He’s not heavy, but he works hard and will finish hits.”
Matt Nieto (30)
Contract Expires: 2022-23 (UFA)
AAV: $850,000
Source: “What did [Andrew] Cogliano go for last year? A fifth. I think Cogliano is probably a more reliable player. But maybe a fifth at best.
“Extra insurance for your bottom-six. Experienced, knows this role, he can skate, has energy, can PK.”
Jaycob Megna (30)
Contract Expires: 2023-24 (UFA)
AAV: $762,500
Source: “I have Megna ahead of Benning because of the size. He has more of an identity for me than Benning as far as being a big body that can PK.
“Maybe a fifth?”
Jonah Gadjovich (24)
Contract Expires: 2022-23 (RFA)
AAV: $750,000
Source: “Might draw some interest, a fourth? If a team wanted some size and heaviness. Also, you have his rights, so you can develop him more.
“Vancouver didn’t want to waive Gadjovich, they thought they would probably lose him.”