In a series of unexpected trades, the San Jose Sharks have made significant moves as they look to rebuild their team for the future. General Manager Mike Grier has been proactive in reshaping the roster, with one of the most surprising deals involving fan-favorite Tomas Hertl.

Hertl, who recently signed an eight-year, $65.1 million contract, has been a key player for the Sharks during his 11 seasons with the team. However, in a move that caught many fans off guard, Hertl has been traded to one of the Sharks' biggest rivals – the Vegas Golden Knights.

This trade not only comes as a shock to Sharks fans but also affects the team's trade flexibility moving forward. San Jose has already used all three of their retained salary slots for next season due to this move, and they have now also used two slots until July 1, 2027. This significantly limits their options for future trades.

Hertl, who currently sits on the Long-Term Injury Reserve, will likely make his debut for the Golden Knights during the Stanley Cup Playoffs in April. The Swedish forward leaves San Jose with an impressive record of 218 goals and 266 assists in 712 games, placing him among the top players in Sharks' franchise history.

The return for Hertl includes promising prospect Edstrom, who was labeled as the Golden Knights' top overall prospect by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic. Edstrom, a 6-foot-3 center with a mature understanding of the game, has shown versatility and the potential to contribute on both special teams. While Hertl's departure will take some getting used to, Edstrom’s addition brings anticipation for what he can bring to the team in the future.

In addition to the Hertl trade, the Sharks have also made several other deals as part of their rebuild efforts. Anthony Duclair and a 2025 seventh-round draft pick were sent to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Radim Simek and a 2024 seventh-round draft pick were traded to the Detroit Red Wings, and Nikita Okhotiuk was dealt to the Calgary Flames. These trades have brought in valuable assets such as Jack Thompson, Klim Kostin, and additional draft picks for the Sharks' future.

While the departure of key players like Hertl and the decision to embrace a full rebuild may come as a surprise to many, the Sharks' front office is focused on building a competitive team for the long term. Grier's aggressive approach in these trades shows the organization's commitment to developing a roster that will bring success back to San Jose.

As the dust settles on these unexpected moves, Sharks fans will have no choice but to trust the process and remain hopeful that these trades will ultimately pave the way toward a brighter future for their beloved team.