The San Jose Sharks are one of the worst teams in the NHL. They could end up being one of the worst teams of all time.
We knew they would sell anything that they could to stack themselves for the future. Nobody saw them trading Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights but that is what happened.
Hertl, who has 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points in 48 games played. Those aren't incredible numbers but he is on a terrible team with mostly subpar linemates.
When he gets to Vegas, it will be like his earlier days with the Sharks when they had elite players surrounding him. This is a guy with 218 goals and 266 assists for 484 points in 712 games played.
The San Jose Sharks traded Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights
Hertl is a player who can be one of the top power forwards in the game when he is healthy and playing well. Vegas has a knack for getting guys back to where they need to be.
With Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, and Chandler Stephenson amongst others there that can play center, they are incredibly deep. Someone (Stephenson) may move to the wing but they are stacked at that position with Hertl coming in.
As for the Sharks, they are giving up a guy who just signed a long-term deal with them. They are getting a lot back for him.
Vegas' first-round pick in 2025 is going to San Jose in addition to David Edstrom. Edstrom was Vegas' first-round pick in 2023. Two third-round picks are going to Vegas with Hertl.
The Sharks are also retaining 17% of Hertl's contract which means they get him at $6.75 million for the next handful of years. This is a crazy blockbuster trade for both sides.
The Sharks are rebuilding and the Golden Knights are trying to win their second straight Stanley Cup. We will see how it works out for both of them in the short and long term.
Although Hertl loved San Jose and being a Shark, he has to be very excited to be joining a team like this. Vegas is obsessed with winning and they proved it once again. Getting Hertl and Noah Hanifin makes it a very strong deadline for the defending champs.