San Jose Sharks center Nico Sturm (7) sprints off ice against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn ImagesOn the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman dove head first into what the San Jose Sharks could do at the March 7 trade deadline.
With Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci already traded to the Dallas Stars, Luke Kunin, and Nico Sturm seem to be garnering the most interest.
"I think you deal with your UFAs. Luke Kunin Nico Sturm. The thing about those guys, there's a group of really solid players—Luke Kunin, Jake Evans, Nico Sturm, who is also [on the Sharks]. Teams kind of have those guys on their list. Teams know what those players cost," Friedman said.
Sturm is a natural center, and Kunin can play center and has been relatively solid in the face-off circle this season at 47.2%.
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Friedman then speculates on the approach that contending teams could use to potentially acquire a player like Kunin or Sturm.
"They are saying, when do we feel we need to make the move? Are we trying something else and then coming back to them? Is this one of the guys we just decide we want based on what else is out there and how much it costs to acquire them? I think Kunin and Sturm are two of those guys," Friedman explained.
Kunin has been connected to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a bit. Friedman provided context as to why Toronto is interested in the forward.
"Kunin is a right shot, so I think that adds to his value. One of the reasons why I think Toronto has been around on Kunin is they really want to get a right shot center, especially for the penalty kill," Friedman said.
The insider later relates to Mike Grier's explanation of the Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci trade, in which the price he wanted, a first-round pick in return, was met, so he made the trade.
Grier isn't giving away players just to get picks. He has set values for each of his tradeable assets and isn't afraid to make a move if his price is met, no matter the timing.
San Jose is in Toronto to face the Maple Leafs at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday.
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