2 early Sharks trade targets after missing 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The San Jose Sharks missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2026. However, they made a ton of progress on the ice. Macklin Celebrini broke the franchise’s single-season points record as he established himself as a true MVP candidate. The Sharks made a run at a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, missing out by just four points.

The Sharks have a lot of work to do if they want to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2027. In saying this, the West proved this season to be extremely top-heavy. Two of the top three teams in the NHL were in the West. But four non-playoff teams in the East would have had enough points for one of the two Wild Card spots in the West.

The point here is that the Sharks can realistically make the playoffs in 2027. San Jose does need to make the right moves this summer. But the path is there for the taking if they can make the right additions to the team.

General manager Mike Grier has options when it comes to making moves this summer. Here are two early trade targets that could make sense for his team before the 2026-27 season begins.

Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies could be on trade block

The Toronto Maple Leafs were not good during the 2025-26 season. And that led to some major changes, including the firing of general manager Brad Treliving. Treliving’s successor has not been officially named. This could change the calculus on a potential Matthew Knies trade.

Knies’s name came up in the rumor mill around the NHL Trade Deadline. The Maple Leafs didn’t exactly shop their 23-year-old top-six winger. However, they didn’t exactly slam the door on a potential trade, either.

Despite the slow season for the team, Knies had his most productive NHL season to date. He scored 23 goals and a career-high 66 points in 79 games this year. The Maple Leafs finished second-to-last in the Eastern Conference, but his performance was a bright spot.

A new general manager may elect to hold onto Knies. And that could be a smart move considering his potential. However, if he is put on the market, the Sharks could certainly be a logical landing spot. He could be an important outlet for Celebrini. More importantly, he could provide needed offensive depth for a team sorely needing it.

Sharks have tried trading for Devils’ Dougie Hamilton

The Sharks tried to trade for Dougie Hamilton last summer. In fact, they reached an agreement with the New Jersey Devils on a deal. However, Hamilton felt it wasn’t the right move, and exercised his no-trade clause. Making another attempt at it this summer could be a smart move for the Sharks.

Hamilton is a legitimate No. 1 defenseman who can play big minutes. He also provides a ton of value offensively. He can consistently add 35-40 points from the blueline. He has reached as high as 74 points in his career. And he can certainly hold his own defensively, as well.

Few teams in the NHL can comfortably take on his massive cap hit. However, the Sharks are one team that could do so. They are projected to have $41 million in available salary cap space this summer, according to PuckPedia. A lot of this space will be created through the fact that many Sharks defensemen are heading to unrestricted free agency.

The Sharks have a need for more help on the blueline. And they need more offensive production in the lineup to support Celebrini. Hamilton is a perfect fit, and it may be worth trying to see if his stance on a trade to San Jose has changed over the last year.

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