The 2025 NHL Draft is scheduled for Friday night, and the San Jose Sharks have been the subject of numerous rumors leading up to the marquee event.
Whether it is reported decisions on pending RFAs, who the Sharks select second overall, interests in pending UFAs, or internal contract extensions, San Jose has no shortage of interest.
Sharks not expected to qualify Klim Kostin
After a tough season for San Jose Sharks forward Klim Kostin is not expected to be brought back. In 35 games in 24-25, Kostin notched just one goal and six assists.
After what looked like a promising player acquired at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, Kostin’s time in Teal appears to be over.
The Russian forward is rumored to be headed to the KHL to play for Avangard Omsk.
The smoke screen is becoming thicker for who the Sharks will select at No. 2
Michael Misa, Anton Frondell, Caleb Desnoyers, or Porter Martone. Those four players have all been reportedly connected to the San Jose Sharks.
According to Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, all four prospects have caught the eye of Sharks GM Mike Grier. Wheeler does emphasize that Desnoyers might not maintain the same level of interest as the rest of the group.
Misa looked like a shoo-in to be drafted second overall. With defenseman Matthew Schaefer expected to be taken first by the New York Islanders, Misa is widely projected as the next best pick.
At the NHL Draft Combine, Misa’s roommate, Malcolm Spence, told reporters that the center wanted to be taken by the Sharks.
Wheeler also suggests that Misa told other NHL clubs that he doesn’t think the Sharks will draft him.
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier told reporters he expects to use the second pick come Friday night.
“We’re just excited to get a good player,” Grier said. “I haven’t talked to [Mathieu Darche] about [the No. 1] pick or what he’s going to do with it. He’s got to make that decision. We’re just in a good spot where we’re going to get a good player, no matter who they take.”
Sharks & Eklund are not focused on contract extension; recovery is the priority
Despite Tuesday’s press conference being a pre-draft one, Grier touched on the Sharks’ contract talks with William Eklund.
Eklund suffered a severe left wrist injury just before the IIHF World Championship and needed surgery. Early talks had begun earlier this off-season, but Grier emphasized Eklund’s recovery is top of mind.
“We’re just focused on him getting healthy. We really lucked out with that injury. It could have been a lot worse for him,” Grier said. “He’s got the cast off. He’s starting to skate and train a little bit. That’s kind of the focus right now. His health and getting him ready for the season.”
Eklund will be eligible for a contract extension on July 1.
Sharks’ interest level in top-end free agents
The top UFA in the 2025 class is Mitch Marner. The San Jose Sharks don’t seem like the ideal fit for the former Toronto Maple Leafs superstar, but rumblings suggest the Sharks might go after him.
TSN’s Chris Johnston said on Toronto 1050’s Overdrive on Tuesday that the Sharks could be players for the star. Johnston did add that he would be “surprised” if Marner chose to sign with the Sharks.
Marner reportedly might seek a short-term, high AAV contract this summer. If that’s the case, Grier could have an easier time forking over a lot of money.
The Sharks have the most cap room in 2025 and will spend it with a plan. Grier confirmed that he won’t entertain a seven-to-eight-year contract.
“I’ve been pretty consistent with, I’m not in any rush to hand out a seven or eight-year contract to someone in their late 20s or early 30s,” Grier said.
San Jose Hockey Now reports that the Sharks are heavily interested in Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser.
The Canucks acquired former San Jose Sharks winger Evander Kane on Wednesday. Speculation is that he will take the place of Boeser in the top-six.
All the drama begins on Friday night when the 2025 NHL Draft begins at 4 p.m. PT.
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