The looming NHL trade deadline in three weeks has the potential to be an anxious time for a handful of San Jose Sharks players – and others around the league on non-playoff-contending teams — who are pending unrestricted free agents.
Anthony Duclair, though, isn’t stressing out. The Sharks winger has been traded four times in his 10-year NHL career, including in 2015 and 2019 when he was shipped from one team to another on the eve of the deadline.
“For me, it’s just another year. I just try to have fun with it now,” Duclair said. “I don’t get nervous or anything like that. I just try to enjoy the process and whatever happens, happens.”
Now in 2024, the speedy Duclair is a prime candidate to be on the move again, as the Sharks, in next to last place in the NHL’s overall standings, try to recoup assets for a handful of players who are pending UFAs.
“Where we are, we don’t — if we can avoid it — (want to) let UFAs walk for nothing,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier said last month. “So if we can get something back that will help us down the road, we’ll definitely look to try and do that.”
Here’s a look at where things stand for some of the Sharks pending unrestricted free agents.
Anthony Duclair, winger
CONTRACT STATUS: In the final year of a three-year, $9 million contract
AGE: 28
CAREER NHL STATS: 131 goals, 147 assists in 537 games (has 17 points in 47 games this season before Thursday’s game in Calgary)
THE SKINNY: Duclair, who represents himself in contract negotiations, said earlier this week that he and the Sharks have not had any discussions regarding an extension. “I haven’t heard anything at all. I’m sure a conversation will happen soon,” said Duclair, who, now on his seventh NHL team, is looking for a contract with some term.
“Obviously, everybody knows I’m looking for a home where I can spend the next few years. That would be my ideal situation,” he said. “But I also know that I have to earn that right, so obviously these next three weeks are pretty important. The way I play, the way I conduct myself, so I just want to focus on that.”
Duclair is keeping all options available, including re-signing with the rebuilding Sharks should that opportunity arise. San Jose will have some cap space available and Duclair has fit in well with a team in transition.
Still, Duclair will be 29 in August, and Grier will be wary of giving out a contract that takes a winger into his mid-30s considering where the franchise is at right now.
“I’m open to anything,” he said. “Obviously I have to do what’s right for myself and we’ll go from there, but I’m definitely open to anything right now.”
Kaapo Kahkonen, goalie
CONTRACT STATUS: In the final year of a two-year, $5.5 million contract
AGE: 27
CAREER NHL STATS: Record of 48-58-14, .900 save percentage, 3.27 goals against average in 127 games (is 6-15-2, with a .905 save percentage, 3.43 GAA in 25 games this season)
THE SKINNY: Kahkonen, like Duclair, said he has not heard of any discussions with the Sharks regarding a contract extension. “Nothing new, really, from my end. I’m just kind of focusing day by day on practice and games, trying to get ready and be as good as I can. We’ll see what happens.”
Kahkonen has shown this season that he can be a contributor to a playoff-contending team, either as a capable backup to an established No. 1 goalie or as a 1A-type netminder.
Kahkonen’s record is unsightly, but he has only received an average of 1.92 goals in support per game so far this season, lowest among all goalies who have played at least 10 games. Wednesday, Kahkonen, in his 25th game, made 39 saves in a 1-0 Sharks loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
Among the 34 NHL goalies who have played at least 25 games this season, Kahkonen is sixth in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes. The top five are Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck, Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom, Boston’s Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, and Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko. Pretty good company.
If he isn’t traded, Kahkonen said he’s keeping the door open to re-signing in San Jose.
“I haven’t thought about that yet. I’m not saying no, I’m not saying absolutely,” Kahkonen said. “I don’t want to close any doors because I don’t think you ever want to do that. But we have to go through this month first because then everything will be much more clear after that.”
Kevin Labanc, winger
CONTRACT STATUS: In the final year of a four-year, $18.9 million contract
AGE: 28
CAREER NHL STATS: Has 82 goals, 141 assists in 464 games (Has seven points in 32 games this season)
THE SKINNY: Labanc, who will be a healthy scratch for an eighth straight game Thursday, wants a change of scenery and it would not take much for another team to pluck him off San Jose’s roster.
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The biggest catch will be money, and whether the Sharks would be willing to retain some of Labanc’s salary to help facilitate a deal. San Jose, already keeping some of Brent Burns’ and Erik Karlsson’s contracts on their books, has just one retention spot left and needs to use it wisely.
Labanc has enjoyed success in his career, even as recently as last season when he had 23 points in 35 games from November to January. For his career, he has 14 points in 30 playoff games. Can another team help him rediscover his mojo?
‘I certainly understand the situation he’s in and we’re in,” Sharks coach David Quinn said Thursday morning. “That’s a normal conversation every player in his situation has when you’re in the last year of your deal and you haven’t played as much as you want. I get that. But there’s a lot of respect for Kevin. He’s handled a tough situation very well.”
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