If the San Jose Sharks are genuinely trying to trade for the New York Islanders’ No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, what could they possibly give up?
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, he would “not be shocked” if the Sharks attempted to move up in the draft.
Top draft prospect Matthew Schaefer is expected to be the No. 1 selection in the upcoming draft. The defenseman fits a need in the Sharks top-ranked prospect pool.
The Islanders hired Mathieu Darche as their new General Manager, and during his first media availability, he touched on potentially dealing the top pick.
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier said he listened to offers for the 2024 No. 1 pick but hung up after 30 seconds. Unlike Macklin Celebrini, Schaefer isn’t the overwhelming top prospect in his draft.
If Grier were to send a “knock my socks off” package to the Islanders, here’s what it could look like.
Sharks receive:
2025 No. 1 pick
Islanders receive:
2025 No. 2 pick
2025 2nd-round pick (pick No. 53 via OTT)
Quentin Musty
Filip Bystedt
Mattias Havelid
This is just one possibility, and likely not enough for Darche to make the deal. Darche even said at his press conference that he doesn’t think he’ll move it.
“Not often you get a job and the first thing you have to do is pick the best player in the draft. Listen, I expect us to make the pick at the end of next month,” Darche said.
Grier has a massive haul of top San Jose Sharks prospects and draft capital to work with. Other potential tradeable assets include Kasper Halttunen, Igor Chernyshov, Leo Sahlin Wallenius, and Cam Lund.
Given the New York Islanders need to build their prospect pool, trading away the No. 1 pick doesn’t seem far-fetched. There is a drawback to possibly starting a trade conversation with the Sharks. If Darche wants to move back, he gives all leverage to Grier.
Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Sam Dickinson would likely be untouchable in any San Jose Sharks trade conversation.
The Sharks project to pick Michael Misa at No. 2. Misa is a very talented player in his own right and has been discussed as a potential No. 1 pick.
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Joseph
June 3, 2025 at 7:24 am
Robbing Peter to pay Paul is how perpetual rebuild cycles begin. Make the pick. There’s not enough certainty at the top, and you definitely can’t give up a package like that for a teenager who played 17 games last season.