Sharks Face Uncertainty Ahead of Stretch Run

GM Grier must decide whether to buy, sell, or stand pat at trade deadline

Feb. 24, 2026 at 1:40pm

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The San Jose Sharks are five points out of a playoff spot with 27 games left in the season, leaving the team and front office facing a period of uncertainty. General manager Mike Grier must decide whether to buy, sell, or stand pat at the trade deadline as the Sharks have several pending unrestricted free agents on the roster.

Why it matters

The Sharks' playoff hopes hang in the balance, and Grier's decision at the trade deadline could significantly impact the team's future. With key players potentially leaving in free agency, the Sharks must weigh short-term competitiveness against long-term rebuilding.

The details

The Sharks currently sit at 27-24-4, five points out of a playoff spot with 27 games remaining in the season. As the trade deadline approaches, Grier must decide whether to buy and add pieces to bolster the team's playoff push, sell off pending free agents for future assets, or maintain the status quo and hope the Sharks can climb back into the postseason picture.

  • The NHL trade deadline is on March 3, 2026.

The players

Mike Grier

The general manager of the San Jose Sharks who must decide the team's strategy at the upcoming trade deadline.

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What they’re saying

“Our situation, the elephant in the room, is we do have some UFAs, and where we are in the standings, so there's a lot of balancing that needs to be done,”

— Mike Grier, General Manager (wn.com)

What’s next

The Sharks' next game is on February 26th against the Los Angeles Kings, which could impact Grier's trade deadline decision-making.

The takeaway

The Sharks' playoff hopes hang in the balance, and Grier's decision at the trade deadline will be crucial in determining the team's short-term and long-term future direction.