SOURCE: Bonino, Nieto on Trade Block?

A source has told San Jose Hockey Now that both Nick Bonino and Matt Nieto have been dangled by the San Jose Sharks during this Trade Deadline.

Both forwards are under contract next year. Bonino, 33, is a centerman signed for one more year with an $2.05 million AAV; Nieto, 29, is a winger signed for one more year with an $850,000 AAV.

So the San Jose Sharks don’t necessarily need to part with either player. But both could have value to a contender and may not necessarily be in the San Jose Sharks’ plans next year.

Bonino is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, and while he’s not scoring at his customary rate, he’s still an excellent defensive centerman and strong on the draw. Right now, Bonino is on pace for 11 goals and 12 assists, a little behind his normal 15 goal-20 assist rate. He’s won 52 percent of his faceoffs and is fourth among San Jose Sharks forwards in PK usage.

He could make an excellent fourth-line center, albeit an expensive one, for a Cup contender.

Nieto is a proven penalty-killer — third among San Jose forwards — who should be able to provide energy for a contender’s fourth line.

There’s no word what the San Jose Sharks could be looking for. Pending UFA Andrew Cogliano, another ace penalty killer, was just sent to the Colorado Avalanche for a 2024 fifth-round pick. Would that be about the right value for Nieto?