December 13, 2025<\/a><\/p>\nThe Wild\u2019s first-round pick, while unprotected, probably doesn\u2019t end up close to the lottery with the addition of Hughes to a team firmly in the playoffs and that features Kirill Kaprizov and Jesper Wallstedt and solid depth.<\/p>\n
So the Sharks might\u2019ve made up any difference between Dickinson-Buium and Eklund-Rossi with a far more attractive 2026 first-round pick, be it their own, say top-five protected, or the Edmonton Oilers\u2019 currently top-12 protected first-rounder, acquired in last year\u2019s Jake Walman trade. The wild card Oilers, by their lofty standards, are struggling right now.<\/p>\n
That Oilers pick also has these conditions, per NHL.com: \u201cIf the Oilers trade their first-round pick in the 2027 draft prior to the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, then their first-round pick in the 2026 draft will automatically be sent to the Sharks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also, if the Oilers choose to keep their 2026 first, then their 2027 first would go to San Jose and be unprotected.<\/p>\n
So what do you think of these possible San Jose Sharks\u2019 offers?<\/p>\n
The most one-for-one with the actual trade might be Dickinson, Eklund, Musty, and the Oilers\u2019 2026 first.<\/p>\n
You start to eclipse the Wild\u2019s offer with Dickinson, Eklund, and the Sharks\u2019 2026 first, top-five protected.<\/p>\n
Or you can completely blow the doors off the Canucks by offering up Dickinson and top center prospect Michael Misa.<\/p>\n
But of course, the specter of Hughes leaving after 2027 hangs in the air, which is why none of these deals make a ton of sense for the San Jose Sharks. The value is fair for, once again, a true superstar defenseman, but these trades only make sense if Hughes is committed to the Sharks past 2027.<\/p>\n
The Wild were on the fringes of being a Cup contender, so it made sense for them to push their chips to the middle of the table for two potential playoff runs with Hughes, even if he leaves them after that. Or, they get one playoff run with him this season and recoup some of their lost assets by dealing him before the 2027 Trade Deadline, if it\u2019s clear that the pending UFA is not returning to the State of Hockey.<\/p>\n
The Sharks are rising, playing wild card-worthy hockey for the first time in about a half-decade, but adding Hughes this season doesn\u2019t vault them into the Cup conversation and doesn\u2019t even guarantee a playoff berth. They have Celebrini and Askarov, but nowhere near the depth of the Wild at forward or defense.<\/p>\n
Simply put, the Sharks have the foundation of a contender, and it\u2019s a fantastic foundation, but it\u2019s still just that. They\u2019re not a piece away from a championship, like the Wild might be.<\/p>\n
Of course, Hughes is that special a player, you certainly have to consider blowing up your best-laid plans for him. But the most prudent course?<\/p>\n
For San Jose, it makes more sense to circle Hughes next Trade Deadline, if they\u2019re firmly in the playoff picture, or that off-season.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no question that the Sharks need a kingpin defenseman like Hughes, but now\u2019s not the time to go big-game hunting for GM Mike Grier, not just yet, not at that risk.<\/p>\n
They need a No. 1 defenseman, but also someone who will be with them beyond their current growing pains.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t