Preview/Lines #61: Sharks Trade for Thrun’s Rights

Timo Meier isn’t going to be the San Jose Sharks’ last Trade Deadline deal.

But instead of subtracting pending UFAs Nick Bonino or James Reimer, the Sharks added today, acquiring NCAA defenseman Henry Thrun’s rights from the Anaheim Ducks for a 2024 third-round pick.

The Sharks have until Aug. 15 to sign Thrun to a contract, or he becomes a UFA.

Thrun, 21, was a 2019 Anaheim Ducks’ fourth-round pick, who’s the captain of a Harvard side that’s headed to the NCAA tournament. The senior’s five goals and 26 points in 28 games leads all Crimson defensemen.

The 6-foot-2 left-hander was also a member of Team USA’s gold-medal winning 2021 World Junior Championships squad.

Speaking to sources, Thrun is a high-character prospect with legitimate top-four NHL potential.

I’ll have more detail about that shortly.

Sharks GM Mike Grier echoed some of that in the team’s press release about the trade: “Henry is a very good two-way defenseman with high character and leadership skills. He was named captain for Harvard this year and has a solid pedigree as a player, earning All-American honors last season after helping guide Harvard to an ECAC Championship.”

He’s a key add, if he does sign, to a San Jose defensive pipeline that just acquired, for Meier, highly-regarded prospect Shakir Mukhamadullin.

I’d expect Thrun to sign with the Sharks when his NCAA season is over.

I’m hearing that Thrun is indeed intrigued with opportunity with #SJSharks.

My guess is, Sharks aren’t sending out a 3rd-rounder for someone who won’t sign with them, so I think he’ll sign

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 28, 2023

San Jose Sharks (18-30-12)

Kahkonen will start. Hertl with Zetterlund/Johnsson. Simek with MacDonald. Looked like Sturm between Bonino/Svechnikov, Lorentz between Lindblom/Gregor

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 28, 2023

Montreal Canadiens (25-30-4)

Canadiens Game 60: Gurianov & Guhle IN, Edmundson OUT

Where to Watch

The San Jose Sharks will take on the Montreal Canadiens at 7:30 PM PST at SAP Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.