But we also know the Sharks are woefully inadequate on defense, and the team needs to add to the backend ASAP to keep from wasting what Celebrini has brought to San Jose. While General Manager Mike Grier needs to stay patient, he also needs to capitalize on the opening Celebrini has created. We already know that the free agent market is weak this summer, but there’s another market that Grier can explore, especially with a powerful trade chip — the second overall pick.
And, luckily for him, just below him in the draft are three teams that are looking to turn things around quickly and would love to have forwards like Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg to play alongside their current players.
Trade Target 1 – Vancouver Canucks
Picking just one spot below the Sharks at third overall is the Vancouver Canucks. In an ideal world, the Canucks would be the best trading partner for the Sharks, since it would only require the Sharks to move down one spot.
Potential deal: Sharks give Vancouver the 2026 second overall pick and Kasper Halttunen for the 2026 third overall pick and Filip Hronek.
Why this works for Vancouver: The Canucks get a pair of forwards, one of whom will improve their top six and another who has an elite shot. Ultimately, the team gets one of the top players, which is what it had been hoping for from the outset.
Why this works for San Jose: As for the Sharks, San Jose gets an offensively minded, right-shot defenseman in Hronek who can immediately jump into the power play. It also gets to draft the defenseman the team needed in the first place. San Jose will not need to give up the boatload of assets that Vancouver was going to require other teams to pay in order to get Hronek. It will, however have to give up a bit more in Halttunen, since it’s only moving down one spot.
*This deal hinges on a wink-wink, nudge-nudge deal that Vancouver chooses McKenna or Stenberg, whichever is left after Toronto picks.
Trade Target 2 – Chicago Blackhawks
Things get sketchier the further down the draft board you go, but picking fourth on draft day is the Chicago Blackhawks, and you know that Kyle Davidson would love to have a shot at putting someone like McKenna or Stenberg alongside Connor Bedard. Unlike Celebrini, so far, Bedard does not have that finisher playing alongside of him. But he could if the Blackhawks had the chance to draft second overall.
Potential deal: Sharks give Chicago the 2026 second overall pick for Chicago’s 2026 fourth overall pick and Kevin Korchinski.
Why this works for Chicago: You get someone finally get someone truly capable of playing alongside Bedard. No offense to Frondell, but Stenberg is considered a better player than Frondell even though both played in the SHL last season and both are finalists for the SHL’s rookie of the year award. Frondell is a year older than Stenberg but only had 28 points (20 G, 8 A) in 43 games with Djurgårdens IF this season compared to Stenberg’s 33 points (11 G, 22 A) in 43 games with Frölunda HC.
Why this works for San Jose: Initially, I wanted Sam Rinzel, the right-side defenseman that San Jose needs, but it’s unlikely that Chicago will part with him. Of course, here’s to hoping that GMMG asks for Rinzel first. Go big or go home. If Davidson says no, pivot to 21-year-old Korchinski. He’s also a puck-moving defenseman, but he’s been passed on the depth chart by players like Rinzel. Korchinski, has the skill that the Sharks need, and at 21, he still has time to develop his game in the NHL. There’s a feeling he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet, and that might be worth a look.
Meantime, in terms of the pick, trading back likely won’t hurt the Sharks. Chicago has a young defense corps and won’t need to add another player at that position. It will go with either McKenna or Stenberg. It’s also likely that Vancouver, which will pick third overall, will pick a forward. Even if Vancouver chooses a defenseman, there are three to four top defensemen to choose from at third: Carson Carels, Chase Reid, Daxon Rudolph and Keaton Verhoeff. Plenty of options left on the board that all sound like they have similar probability to become top-pa
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