Four Sharks Listed On TSN's Trade Bait Rankings
On Wednesday, four San Jose Sharks were listed on TSN’s top 50 trade bait rankings.
The highest-ranking Shark was Anthony Duclair at No. 20. With a cap hit at $3 million, which ends after this season, Duclair is arguably the Sharks’ easiest asset to trade that has value.
Although he hasn’t had the season he wanted, he has scored 11 goals and looked like he has a lot left in the tank since returning from the All-Star break.
Next up at No. 25 is Mikael Granlund. Granlund has had a bounceback season after struggling with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. The Sharks would like to keep Granlund and might have an easier time doing so as he still has one more year left on his contract after this season at $5 million. San Jose only has one salary retention spot left, so moving Granlund’s contract brings an extra challenge.
Sliding down to No. 37 is Kaapo Kahkonen. Kahkonen’s name has been floating around trade rumors for what seems like months. Kahkonen’s struggles from last season look like they are in the rearview mirror, as he has become a solid NHL goalie.
He ranks 17th in the entire league in goals saved above expected and is No. 1 in high-danger unblocked shot save percentage with a .853. That is per goalie with at least 25 games played.
The only “knock” on Kahkonen is that he hasn’t played in the postseason in his NHL career. The pending UFA will likely get moved, but teams have shown hesitation.
Lastly comes Alexander Barabanov at No. 47. He has struggled with injury, COVID, and consistency this season. Sharks head coach David Quinn had high hopes for the winger to build on his 47-point season last year.
Unfortunately for Barabanov and the Sharks, his value has taken a hit in trade talks and the free-agent market. With nine points in 34 games, including a healthy scratch in the Sharks’ last game, Barabanov will get another chance in the Sharks’ top-six forwards on Saturday to reestablish himself as an offensive generator.
The trade deadline is March 8th, and rumors will continue to fly until then.
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