It\u2019s no secret that the Sharks need to upgrade their blue line this offseason.<\/p>\n
They can\u2019t count entirely on improvement from within: At the moment, veteran Dmitry Orlov and 19-year-old Sam Dickinson are the only NHL defensemen signed. Restricted free agent Shakir Mukhamadullin and a prospect like Eric Pohlkamp also could help, too. Their own unrestricted free agents, chiefly Mario Ferraro or Vincent Desharnais, might also return.<\/p>\n
But if the Sharks want to make the Stanley Cup playoffs<\/a> next year, they\u2019ll probably need at least one or two significant additions to this group.<\/p>\n Here are nine of the smarter possible adds who could make the biggest impact on the Sharks’ blue line.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with free agents.<\/p>\n When I say smart, keep in mind, every move is a risk.<\/p>\n But trying to add an impact UFA makes sense because it won\u2019t cost the Sharks any of their prized young forward depth or cadre of picks and prospects.<\/p>\n Darren Raddysh<\/p>\n Is Raddysh for real?<\/p>\n That\u2019s the big question for the 30-year-old, who pretty much doubled or tripled previous career highs with his 22 goals and 70 points during the 2025-26 NHL season.<\/p>\n In theory, the right-hander still is in his prime and would be the perfect addition to the Sharks\u2019 power play.<\/p>\n John Carlson<\/p>\n The 36-year-old still is an impact player and was a go-to power-play option for two teams this season, the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks.<\/p>\n Unlike Raddysh, Carlson\u2019s 60 points this season are no outlier: That\u2019s the eighth time in his illustrious NHL career that he has cleared 50.<\/p>\n The age is a concern, but that also means the contract commitment to the right-hander won\u2019t be as high. Add in his leadership, and he\u2019s probably a perfect bridge power-play quarterback for the young Sharks.<\/p>\n Jacob Trouba<\/p>\n Sharks general manager Mike Grier<\/a> knows Trouba well: Both were with the New York Rangers at the same time, before Grier was tapped for San Jose\u2019s top job.<\/p>\n The 32-year-old right-hander has the size and physicality that Grier craves on his blue line, and also re-discovered his offensive touch this past season in Anaheim, scoring double-digit goals for the first time since 2021-22.<\/p>\n The ex-Rangers captain also would provide leadership and penalty-killing chops to the Sharks’ defense.<\/p>\n Rasmus Andersson<\/p>\n There\u2019s no reason to believe that Andersson will leave the Vegas Golden Knights.<\/p>\n The Golden Knights acquired Andersson from the Calgary Flames at the 2026 NHL trade deadline, the Swede has been successful in Vegas, and rumor is, the 29-year-old has had his sights set on playing in Sin City for a while.<\/p>\n If Andersson does hit free agency, the right-hander is not a top-flight PP1 option, but he\u2019s a true two-way blue liner who you can count on for double-digit goals and 20-plus minutes a night.<\/p>\n Frankly, it\u2019s a shallow pool for impact defensemen in free agency, so if any of Raddysh, Carlson, Trouba, or Andersson hit July 1, the market for them will be very competitive.<\/p>\n So, if the Sharks can\u2019t sign one, who can they trade for that can make a difference on defense?<\/p>\n These might be some of the smarter deals.<\/p>\n Simon Nemec<\/p>\n Why would the New Jersey Devils trade the No. 2 pick of the 2022 NHL Draft, who appeared to be coming into his own this year?<\/p>\n The 22-year-old right-hander set career highs with 11 goals and 26 points.<\/p>\n It appeared, however, the Slovakian defenseman was headed out the door under former Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald \u2026 so what does new GM Sunny Mehta think of him?<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are mixed on him,\u201d Scout No. 1 said.<\/p>\n If the Sharks believe in Nemec, especially as a soon-to-be PP1 weapon, his age and draft pedigree could be a good gamble.<\/p>\n Filip Hronek<\/p>\n Is Hronek even available?<\/p>\n Considering the Vancouver Canucks were the NHL’s worst team last year, he probably should be.<\/p>\n He won\u2019t come cheap, but the Czech defenseman checks a lot of boxes for the Sharks: He\u2019s 28, relatively young. He had a career-high 49 points last year and is a physical two-way force. He\u2019s right-handed. He\u2019s signed long-term at a reasonable rate, $7.25 million AAV until 2032.<\/p>\n While he\u2019s not a true No. 1 defenseman, he should be a credible No. 2-3 in the coming years as the Sharks climb the standings.<\/p>\n The Canucks acquired Hronek from the Detroit Red Wings at the 2023 trade deadline for essentially a first and a second-round draft pick. If the Sharks could get him for about the same price, it should be well worth it.<\/p>\n Speaking of cost, the Sharks don\u2019t have to pay full price in a trade for a defensive upgrade, either. They can take on another team\u2019s bad contract, assuming that the team retains some salary on the player.<\/p>\n These three older and overpaid blueliners should be an upgrade for the Sharks at a fraction of the acquisition cost for Nemec or Hronek.<\/p>\n Darnell Nurse<\/p>\n Nurse is 31 and has a $9.25 million AAV until 2030.<\/p>\n \u201cNurse\u2019s only problem is he makes too much money,\u201d Scout No. 2 said.<\/p>\n If the Edmonton Oilers retained a healthy amount, the big and physical minutes-munching left-hander could prove to be a bargain for the Sharks, adding some much-needed jam.<\/p>\n Morgan Rielly<\/p>\n Rielly is 32 and has a $7.5 million AAV until 2030.<\/p>\n \u201cNot the high-end offensive guy which people expect [anymore],\u201d Scout No. 1 said.<\/p>\n The left-hander remains a power-play asset, though his defensive game and mobility are question marks.<\/p>\n Dougie Hamilton<\/p>\n Hamilton is 32 and has a $9 million AAV until 2028.<\/p>\n The Devils tried to dump Hamilton\u2019s salary on the Sharks last summer, but the right-hander blocked the trade.<\/p>\n