Are the San Jose Sharks about to make a trade?

The expectation is yes, as rookie forward Michael Misa played in his 9th NHL game on Thursday. Misa’s contract currently doesn’t count toward the NHL’s 50-contract maximum. Once he plays his 10th, his ELC will count, putting the Sharks over the limit.

Misa playing tonight means we are officially on trade watch. He can’t play another game until the Sharks clear out a contract. Probably won’t happen before tomorrow’s game, he’ll just sit that one, but likely over the weekend

— ProfessorHockey (@ProfHockeyYT) January 16, 2026

The Sharks play the Detroit Red Wings on Friday. Misa played 9:58 in the 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday. The forward is still eligible to be sent back to Juniors, but the Sharks informed Misa that he will stay in the NHL.

Misa can play his 10th NHL game, as the Sharks could be roster compliant heading into the game. Once he plays that game, the Sharks will need to move a contract before their next game after that to get under the limit.

So what must happen? For the San Jose Sharks to be roster-compliant under the CBA, a transaction must be made to shed one active contract. The most likely option is a trade, as terminating a player’s contract could be more difficult.

Will Smith is expected to return to the Sharks’ lineup on Friday after dealing with an upper-body injury. Ty Dellandrea was placed on IR to make room on the active roster. Misa could be a healthy scratch to buy Smith more time for a trade to develop.

If/when the Sharks make a trade to shed a contract, the return must have more draft picks than players moved. The Sharks could opt to receive future considerations as a return, similar to the Jake Walman trade with the Red Wings. A team won’t take on a player for nothing, as making a trade is a two-way street. The receiving team will have a plan for why they make a particular trade.

There is no clear answer on what Mike Grier’s exact move will be, but a move is expected in the near future.

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