One player the Sharks have had interest in is New York Rangers blueliner Braden Schneider, who can become a restricted free agent this summer and has arbitration rights. The 24-year-old has had an off year, thus far, but that argument can apply to a good chunk of the Rangers roster.

With two weeks before the Olympic freeze, trade discussions should pick up, but San Jose may wait until the deadline itself before making another move, having acquired Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.

Sherwood and the Sharks have had loose conversations about what a contract extension may look like, and while nothing is imminent, those talks are likely to continue after the season. Sherwood is looking for between $5 million and $6 million per year on his next contract, which may be in the four-to-five-year range.

MAMMOTH MOVES COMING?

Irfaan Gaffar and I had a great chat earlier today with Utah Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong, hitting a wide array of topics, including the future of centre Nick Schmaltz and the team’s willingness to take big swings. It’s definitely worth watching.

Schmaltz is also playing on an expiring contract, and Armstrong told us contract talks are being tabled for after the season.

As I reported earlier in the season, the Mammoth explored the trade market on Schmaltz last off-season and opted against moving him. He’s having a very good campaign and will be highly coveted if he hits free agency this summer – teams like Los Angeles and Toronto will be calling.

With Utah in the first wildcard seed in the West, all eyes are focused on the playoffs. I don’t see the Mammoth moving Schmaltz ahead of the deadline, even without an extension, but Armstrong & Co. will try to add to the roster.

One thing Armstrong refuses to do is give away too much of his future. Draft picks are more in play than prospects and could be weaponized in a large move for top-tier talent at either end of the ice, so long as the player is in his mid-20s and under team control.

Before Aaron Ekblad re-upped with the Florida Panthers last June, he was on Utah’s radar. Adding a top-level defenceman could be in the cards for the Mammoth moving forward, as well.

HERE AND THERE

As I reported on the DFO Rundown Insider Edition today, the Vegas Golden Knights have put 10 percent of their franchise up for sale. The asking price: $200 million. Strike while the iron’s hot, and other teams are also exploring the possibility of selling a small stake of their clubs, as well.

Another tidbit from today’s show: Sources have told me the Seattle Kraken are open to moving Shane Wright. They’ve been searching for a top-six forward and packaging Wright might get them that.

I watched the Rangers last night in L.A. and I can’t help but wonder if Vincent Trocheck is a fit for the Kings. Teams are curious about Trocheck, as I wrote about Monday. With Anze Kopitar retiring after this season, the Kings are very thin up the middle. They’re already looking for scoring. Perhaps there’s a fit here.

The Winnipeg Jets are looking around for a second-line forward, ideally at the dot, but want someone with term. Some teams are curious, at least internally, about Cole Perfetti’s availability and whether he’s someone they’d consider moving.

In addition to Scott Laughton, the Maple Leafs are looking into what it’ll take to get Bobby McMann inked to an extension. Given the season he’s having, he may be in the $5 million AAV range.

Buffalo took care of some housekeeping today, getting Josh Doan locked up to a 7-year extension. The Sabres and Alex Tuch’s camp continue to talk, but I don’t get the sense there has been any progress made on a contract extension, to date. No deal is imminent.