The San Jose Sharks have traded forward Danil Gushchin to the Colorado Avalanche and acquired Oskar Olausson in return.
Gushchin, 23, is a highly skilled forward who lacks size. Sharks GM Mike Grier has emphasized size when building his new look prospect pool. Gushchin, an RFA, was retained after the Sharks selected him to be one of the three qualifying offers of the off-season.
Gushchin has 18 career games at the NHL level with the San Jose Sharks. In those games, the Russian forward has two goals and three assists. In 56 games with the San Jose Barracuda last season, Gushchin had 28 goals and 23 assists.
The winger voiced frustration, similar to Thomas Bordeleau, about the lack of NHL time, but understood there were more parts of his game he needed to work on.
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“[My] play without puck. Be around the guys in the D-zone,” Gushchin said back in May. “Just be aware. Where’s my guy in the D zone? Playing good on the walls and maybe a better shot.”
SHD heard from a trusted source that the Sharks and Gushchin had conversations about a potential fresh start. SHD was never given any confirmation of a formal request from Gushchin to be traded.
The Sharks get a great return in Olausson
Similar to Gushchin, Olausson is a 22-year-old forward who never got an extended shot at the NHL. At 6’2, 181 lbs, Olausson fits the bigger size the San Jose Sharks have targeted.
Olausson has only played four career games in the NHL. The 28th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft made his NHL debut in 2022. He has yet to register a point in the NHL.
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“Olausson’s skating posture allows him to effortless manoeuvre through opponents with his top hand in full control, pushed out from his body. You’ll rarely see Olausson attempt the same neutral zone rush twice in the same game. He’ll cross the dotted line, change lanes and speed, and work well-timed weight shifts as a puck-carrier to get past the defender opposite him.” -EliteProspects 2021 NHL Draft Guide
According to Daily Face-Off’s top prospect analyst Steven Ellis, Olausson hasn’t really been given a full opportunity with the Colorado Avalanche. There seems to be a potential fit for more NHL time with the San Jose Sharks.
In 61 games with the Colorado Eagels in 24-25, Olausson had 11 goals and 15 assists.
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