Sharks flip Eklund for No. 9 pick, blueline crisis looms
Grier’s draft-day gamble strips Eklund from the roster, leaving San Jose with gaping defensive holes and a fire-sale mentality ahead of 2026.
9 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a move that instantly reshapes the roster and draft capital calculus. The trade strips the Sharks of one of their most promising forwards while handing Grier a premium selection to address San Jose’s glaring defensive deficiencies. The deal lands Ottawa a 23-year-old forward with 40 NHL games of experience and a 2023-24 season that included 14 points in 55 contests.
