Sharks Face Chaos Amid Trade Deadline Turmoil

DENVER — Amid a flurry of trades, the San Jose Sharks faced the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, suffering a 7-3 defeat that highlighted the impact of recent roster changes. With the NHL trade deadline approaching, the Sharks had already held out goalie Vitek Vanecek and lost veteran Nico Sturm to a trade prior to the game.

In a dramatic chain of events that unfolded during the week, Jake Walman was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, while Luke Kunin was held out for trade reasons. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky expressed concerns about his players’ mental state, suggesting that the trade activities may have affected their performance on the ice.

“A lot going on, and I think we saw the human side of our game tonight with our players,” Warsofsky said. “End of a road trip against this type of team, you sensed maybe a little bit of a mental lapse from us, and you could see that right off the puck drop.”

Despite the tumultuous circumstances, alternate captain Tyler Toffoli emphasized the need for focus and accountability among the players who remain. “The guys who are here, we have to perform,” Toffoli said. “We can’t just wait around and sit on our asses for 18 games and get our asses kicked every night.”

Meanwhile, Barclay Goodrow provided a more philosophical view regarding the trade deadline scenario, acknowledging that such changes are common in professional sports. “This happens in this business all the time. So it won’t be the first time. It won’t be the last time,” he said.

The Sharks had shown flashes of potential earlier in the week, securing a 6-2 victory against the Buffalo Sabres as part of a surprising road trip. However, as they faced the Avalanche, a team with a formidable track record, the absence of key players proved too significant to overcome.

“We saw the human side of this game come in,” Warsofsky added. “If you’ve been watching our team, that was not our group. That’s what’s frustrating.”

On the trade front, the Sharks officially traded Jake Walman to the Oilers in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in 2026 and prospect Carl Berglund. The deal is contingent upon the pick falling outside the top 12, indicating the Sharks’ continued strategy to accumulate valuable draft assets. Walman had served as the Sharks’ top defenseman, contributing significantly with six goals and 26 assists this season before his trade.

“He stepped up, played some really good hockey for us,” Warsofsky commented on Walman, who had been held out of the game against Colorado following the announcement of the trade.

Berglund, now part of the Sharks organization, has been playing with the Bakersfield Condors, tallying two goals and 12 points in 45 games this season. The Sharks now hold two first-round picks in the upcoming drafts, a strategic position for a franchise in transition.

As the deadline approaches, uncertainty looms over the future of other players including Kunin and Mario Ferraro, who remain potential trade candidates. “It’s a tough day. Obviously, losing key players isn’t easy, but we’ve got to focus on what’s next,” Warsofsky said.

With only a few hours remaining before the deadline, the Sharks will continue to navigate a complex landscape marked by trades and transitions, proving that in professional sports, change is often the only constant.