The trade watch can end as the San Jose Sharks have announced a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Defenseman Kyle Masters was dealt to the Hurricanes along with a 2026 fourth-round pick in the NHL Draft in exchange for Chicago’s 2027 fifth-round pick.
Well, the #SJSharks trade watch is over. SJ has traded defenseman Kyle Masters and a 2026 fourth-round selection to the Carolina Hurricanes. SJ acquired a 2027 fifth-round selection. (Originally Chicago’s)
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) January 16, 2026
While this move could be head-scratching to the rest of the NHL, it makes sense for anyone who has followed the Michael Misa situation. Misa played his ninth career NHL game on Thursday, leaving him one game from becoming an active NHL contract. San Jose was at the 50-contract limit, meaning something had to give.
After Misa returned from the World Juniors, the San Jose Sharks informed him that he is staying in the NHL. Misa has one goal and two assists in his nine games. The Sharks have managed his playtime throughout the year, and he could be a healthy scratch for Will Smith on Friday. Smith is expected to return from an upper-body injury.
Masters has played ten games for the Sharks’ ECHL affiliate, Wichita Thunder. He was acquired from the Minnesota Wild in October in exchange for Oskar Olausson.
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