THN.com/podcast. Fabian Zetterlund. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk2MTgwNjMyNTAwNDQ2MzUz/usatsi_20040268.jpg] Fabian Zetterlund. The wait was over, and then it wasn’t. Timo Meier was reported to be dealt, but the wait for word on the return lasted four hours as the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks worked through some hitches and intricacies of the deal. When it was finally announced [https://thehockeynews.com/news/devils-acquire-timo-meier-from-sharks], this is what the final deal looked like: To New Jersey: Timo Meier (F), Scott Harrington (D), Santeri Hatakka (D), Timur Ibragimov (F), Zach Emond (G), 2024 fifth-round pick To San Jose: 2023 first-round pick, conditional second-round pick, Shakir Mukhamadullin (D), Fabian Zetterlund (F), Nikita Okhotiuk (D), Andreas Johnsson (F), 2024 seventh-round pick In the end, nine players and four draft picks changed hands. That’s a massive deal. New Jersey also acquired depth defender Scott Harrington in the deal to bolster their back end, along with three minor-league players. The bulk of the value in return from the Devils comes from the first-round pick this season and the conditional 2024 second-round pick. If the Devils reach the conference final and Meier plays in at least half the games, or they reach next year’s conference final, the Sharks will get the first-rounder in 2024. If they fail to, the pick remains a second-rounder in 2024. The three prospects San Jose acquired in the deal could be interesting. Fabian Zetterlund is having a solid but streaky rookie season. Nikita Okhotiuk is a depth defender who has split time between the NHL and AHL. And Shakir Mukhamadullin is a toolsy defender drafted in the first round of the 2020 draft and has played in the KHL since being drafted, aside from three AHL playoff games in 2021-22. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk2MTgwNjYzMzcwNTIzNzkz/usatsi_19298737.jpg] Zetterlund has been in the NHL all season, playing in 45 games while collecting 20 points. He was hot in November, collecting 10 points in 14 games but has been inconsistent since. He has played primarily bottom-six minutes, so if he can find more opportunity, the scoring will potentially come in closer to the rate he sustained throughout November. The new Sharks winger should be able to use his shooting talent and high motor to generate chances, and he can also be a nuisance on the forecheck. The upside is somewhat limited as Zetterlund doesn’t quite possess the dynamism of a top-six forward, but he looked like a solid middle-six scoring option that can do a bit of everything with some refinement. At 23 years old, expecting a massive jump in the next couple of seasons may be asking a bit much. Nikita Okhotiuk. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk2MTgwNjk3OTk4Njk3NjE3/usatsi_19186259.jpg] Nikita Okhotiuk. Smooth-skating defenseman Okhotiuk is a decent prospect, but the upside is also limited. He seems to boast the tools to be a serviceable NHL blueliner. He’s never been a big-time offensive contributor, but he has the sense to put himself in position, use his 6-foot-1 frame when needed and play a sound defensive game. Okhotiuk could find a role on the Sharks’ blueline sooner rather than later. The young Russian plays the kind of game that’s at its best when you don’t hear his name too often. He is a reliable puck-mover who understands and respects his game’s limitations. Shakir Mukhamadullin. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk2MTgwNzI1MTEwNjc4Njcz/usatsi_18273980.jpg] Shakir Mukhamadullin. The belle of the ball among the trio of prospects is the former 20th overall pick in Mukhamadullin. The rangy, 6-foot-4 defender has been a divisive prospect in the scouting world over the last few seasons. Mukhamadullin has high straight-line skating ability and can make a crisp first pass. He has displayed glimpses of a clever offensive game, but it’s inconsistent. It’s easy to fall in love with Mukhamadullin’s tools when watching his highlights. The mobility he possesses at the size he boasts is rare. He’s lanky but has room to put on some muscle as he matures. At 21 years old, he remains a bit of a project, albeit one that could net some incredible gains. Mukhamadullin’s contract in the KHL ends after this season, and he is slated to make the trek to North America next year. He’ll likely need some AHL time to acclimate to the North American pro game and work out the bugs. At his best, Mukhamadullin could be a puck-moving defender with intriguing offensive upside. He could be a second power-play quarterback who could also play on the penalty kill. The problem is his decision-making could hinder him from ever reaching that upside. Even if it does, though, he should play NHL games in a depth role at 5-on-5 and be a steady penalty-killer. At the end of the day, the possibility of netting two first-round picks are assets of interest for San Jose fans. The trio of prospects may seem less sexy than you’d expect from a deal of this magnitude. Still, they all present NHL upside, and the wild card that is Mukhamadullin could make this trade better than what many of the initial judgments have forecasted. San Jose traded the big fish at this year’s deadline and netted a bunch of stuff. The picks are magic beans. The prospects are big question marks as well. That’s the reality of being a rebuilding team. The hope for the future and the magic of what could be is what you bank on.
