--- title: "Sharks flip Eklund for No. 9 pick, blueline crisis looms" description: "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." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/bigger-trade-now-an-option-after-sharks-deal-william-eklund-374eb976 published: 2026-06-30T13:58:33.762+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T13:58:33.762+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # 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. San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier sent winger William Eklund to Ottawa in exchange for the No. 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. For the Sharks, the return is a top-10 draft asset they can use to target a defenseman or another position of need. The transaction arrives as San Jose’s blueline sits perilously thin: only two defensemen—Bowen Byram and Mario Ferraro—are signed through next season, with multiple roster spots still open. Grier’s aggressive pivot toward draft capital over an established NHL player underscores a rebuild mindset. The Sharks now hold the No. 9 pick in 2026, a selection they can package or use independently to address the roster’s most critical shortage: defense. The move also clears a roster spot and cap space, giving San Jose additional flexibility heading into the offseason. Reaction to the trade has centered on its audacity. Analysts note that Eklund’s upside and NHL readiness were traded for a future asset, a calculated risk that prioritizes long-term construction over short-term competitiveness. The Senators, meanwhile, add a young forward with upside and roster stability, filling a need on their forward group. What's next: The Sharks are poised to use the No. 9 pick as leverage in further draft-weekend maneuvers, with multiple defensemen projected to be available at that slot. Expect Grier to explore trades involving the pick or additional assets to address San Jose’s blueline crisis, potentially setting up a blockbuster weekend in Las Vegas. ## Why this matters The Sharks’ trade of William Eklund for a top-10 draft pick signals a deliberate rebuild, with Grier prioritizing future assets over present production. The move exposes San Jose’s defensive crisis, leaving the roster dangerously thin on the blue line and forcing Grier to use the 2026 draft capital aggressively. The decision could redefine the Sharks’ trajectory, either by securing a franchise defenseman or by leveraging the pick in a larger trade package. ## Frequently asked ### Why did the Sharks trade William Eklund? The Sharks traded Eklund to Ottawa for the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a move that addresses roster holes—particularly on defense—and signals a rebuild phase under GM Mike Grier. ### What pick did the Sharks get in return? San Jose received the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft as part of the trade with Ottawa for William Eklund. ### How many defensemen do the Sharks have under contract? The Sharks currently have just two defensemen—Bowen Byram and Mario Ferraro—signed through the 2024-25 season, leaving the blueline perilously thin. ### What does this trade mean for the Sharks’ rebuild? The trade underscores a rebuild mindset, with Grier trading an established NHL forward for draft capital to address critical roster shortages, particularly on defense. ### Could the Sharks trade the No. 9 pick again? Yes. The Sharks can use the No. 9 pick independently or package it with other assets to address their blueline crisis, potentially in a larger draft-day deal. ## Sources & Citations - [Bigger trade now an option after Sharks deal William Eklund for No. 9 draft pick - NBC Sports Bay Area & California](https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/william-eklund-trade-analysis/1945304/) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-23) --- Cite: Sharks flip Eklund for No. 9 pick, blueline crisis looms. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/bigger-trade-now-an-option-after-sharks-deal-william-eklund-374eb976