The San Jose Sharks are getting watched by multiple team scouts every game, with the March 8th trade deadline around the corner. Pending UFA and trade chip, Alexander Barabanov will be a healthy scratch against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The San Jose Sharks are getting watched by multiple team scouts every game, with the March 8th trade deadline around the corner. Pending UFA and trade chip, Alexander Barabanov will be a healthy scratch against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Other pending UFAs like Anthony Duclair, Mike Hoffman, Kaapo Kahkonen, and Kevin Labanc will likely be moved at the deadline.
The Sharks have had two home games since returning from the All-Star break and have had scouts from all over the NHL rolling through.
When the Sharks played against the Calgary Flames on February 15th, there were 13 teams with scouts in attendance.
With both the Flames and Sharks trending towards being sellers at the deadline, there was an emphasis on who was playing in that game.
The Sharks faced the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, and seven team scouts were in attendance.
The Chicago Blackhawks and Blue Jackets also had scouts in the building.
The Sharks are about to take on the Vegas Golden Knights this season for the fourth and final time. There are nine teams with scouts in the building.
Alexander Barabanov's name has been riddled with trade rumors all season, given his success since joining the Sharks. This season hasn't been kind to him offensively, and he will be a healthy scratch today after a poor backcheck, which led to Boone Jenner's late game-winning goal.
Anthony Duclair's name is running rampant in the trade world. The speedy winger didn't start well; he looks rejuvenated and scored twice against the Jackets.
The New York Rangers have been the team that looks like the best fit for Duclair. Duclair was drafted by the Rangers in 2013 in the third round. Returning to where he started his NHL career and playoff hockey could do wonders for his success for the remainder of the season. The Raneedeed of another winger after Blake Wheeler went down with a season-ending leg injury.
Kevin Labanc will play in his second straight game after being a healthy scratch for seven straight. His agent confirmed to THN that he and the Sharks are working together to find a fresh start for the winger.
It will be interesting to see how many of the Sharks pending UFAs get moved ahead of March 8th, but scouts will continue to follow San Jose until then.
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The Hockey News