SPECULATION: Sharks Interested in Tarasenko, Dumba?

I don’t see it happening, but the San Jose Sharks certainly could use talent like UFAs Vladimir Tarasenko and Matt Dumba on their roster.

Elliotte Friedman suggested that the Sharks were looking at six-time 30-goal winger Tarasenko and four-time double-digit goal-scoring defenseman Dumba on NHL Network yesterday:

EF on NHL Network: “I’ve heard SJ has interest in Tarasenko, I’ve heard at times that NSH did, I think also OTT, once the DeBrincat trade comes down, they had some interest but I don’t think Tarasenko has found the market to be what he wants, I don’t think that’s going to change”

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) July 6, 2023

Friedman on Dumba (NHL Network): “I don’t know this for sure but suspected that maybe San Jose could have a spot for him there, San Jose is trying to trade Karlsson, they’re still talking to Carolina, they’re still talking to Pittsburgh, at this point in time it hasn’t happened”

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) July 6, 2023

At first glance, pursuing Tarasenko and Dumba makes no sense compared to what Mike Grier has said and done so far in free agency.

“We’ll try to be smart with our spending,” Grier said before the Draft. “I don’t think we’ll be chasing any other high-end free agents.”

Grier Talks Karlsson Trade, No. 4 Pick, Jumbo’s Future

On Day 1 of free agency, the Sharks didn’t sign any UFA more expensive than defenseman Kyle Burroughs and his $1.1 million AAV and three years. None of other first-day UFA signings Givani Smith, Ryan Carpenter, and Scott Sabourin cleared even over a million AAV.

“We’ll keep our eye open and see if there’s any bargains out there,” Grier said that night of his outlook for the rest of free agency.

Grier Talks Duclair, Karlsson Trade, Plans To Keep Couture & Hertl (+)

It’s five days since Jul. 1, so perhaps Tarasenko and Dumba, while considered among the more “high-end” free agents, are entering “bargain” territory, relatively speaking?

It could be a win-win.

If the San Jose Sharks manage to trade Erik Karlsson, that should open up cap space to compensate Tarasenko and/or Dumba well, albeit on likely short-term contracts.

Tarasenko and/or Dumba can rebuild their values on a Sharks squad that can offer them plenty of playing time, especially on the power play, and San Jose can flip them at the Deadline for younger assets.

Like I said, I don’t see it happening, but it’s also not as crazy as it sounds – if the free agents don’t find the market that they’re looking for.