In a shocking turn of events just moments before the NHL trade deadline, the San Jose Sharks and the Vegas Golden Knights have announced a blockbuster trade. Center Tomas Hertl, along with two third-round draft picks, will head to the defending Stanley Cup champions in exchange for a first-round draft pick and prospect David Edstrom.

As part of the deal, the Sharks will receive the Golden Knights' first-round draft pick in 2025, along with last year's first-round selection, David Edstrom. In return, the Sharks are sending two third-round draft picks to Vegas, one in 2025 and another in 2027.

Additionally, the Sharks have agreed to retain 17% of Hertl's contract, resulting in a cap hit of $6.75 million for the Czech-born forward as a member of the Golden Knights. Hertl is currently in the second year of an eight-year, $65.1 million contract he signed with the Sharks in 2022. This deal includes an average annual value of $8.137 million and a full no-movement clause, which required Hertl's approval for the trade.

Rumors of a potential deal involving Hertl had been circulating for some time, with questions arising about his availability for the upcoming playoffs. However, Sharks coach David Quinn recently revealed that Hertl's recovery from knee surgery is progressing well, and there is a possibility that he may make a return before the season ends on April 18. Prior to his injury, Hertl was leading the team with 34 points in 48 games this season.

Tomas Hertl, who was selected by the Sharks in the 2012 NHL Draft, has played eleven seasons with the franchise, accumulating an impressive 484 points in 712 games. He is one of seven Sharks players to appear in over 700 games and is among the six players to score at least 200 goals for the team.

However, this trade has implications for the Sharks' future plans. With this deal, the Sharks have reached their limit for salary retention spots until the summer of 2025, potentially complicating any future trades involving captain Logan Couture or defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The team is already retaining salary in previous trades involving Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson.

Overall, this blockbuster trade between the San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights has sent shockwaves through the hockey world. As fans eagerly await Hertl's return and the development of prospect David Edstrom, only time will tell how this deal will impact the teams' respective playoff runs and future strategies.