Sharks Must Trade Defenseman Ferraro Before 2026 NHL Deadline

San Jose's pending UFA blueliner could fetch a strong return at the trade deadline.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 12:47am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Jose Sharks have struggled to consistently surround star forward Macklin Celebrini with enough talent, and with several pending free agents on the blue line, GM Mike Grier may need to move one of them - likely defenseman Mario Ferraro - before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline to free up space and assets to improve the roster around Celebrini.

Why it matters

The Sharks are in playoff contention in the wide-open Western Conference, but may need to be realistic about their chances of making a deep postseason run. Trading the 27-year-old Ferraro, who is one of their most valuable defensemen, could net them valuable assets to build around Celebrini going forward.

The details

Ferraro has been the subject of trade rumors for the Sharks over the past few seasons, but the team has held onto him. However, with Ferraro set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, and the Sharks having four pending UFA defensemen, Grier may need to move Ferraro at the deadline to get something in return before potentially losing him for nothing in free agency.

  • The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is on Friday, March 7, 2026.

The players

Macklin Celebrini

A star forward for the San Jose Sharks who is fifth in the NHL with 83 points this season.

Will Smith

The Sharks' second-highest scorer with 42 fewer points than Celebrini, highlighting the need to surround the star with more talent.

Mario Ferraro

A 27-year-old defenseman for the Sharks who has been the subject of trade rumors and is one of four pending UFA blueliners on the roster.

Mike Grier

The general manager of the San Jose Sharks who may need to trade Ferraro at the deadline to free up space and assets to improve the roster around Celebrini.

John Klingberg

A veteran defenseman on the Sharks' roster who is also a pending UFA, making him a potential trade chip alongside Ferraro.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Sharks will need to decide whether to trade Ferraro or another pending UFA defenseman before the March 7, 2026 trade deadline in order to get assets in return rather than potentially losing the player for nothing in free agency.

The takeaway

The Sharks' struggles to build a strong supporting cast around star forward Macklin Celebrini have put them in a position where they may need to trade one of their pending UFA defensemen, likely Mario Ferraro, at the 2026 trade deadline to free up space and assets to improve the roster around their top player.