Checking in on the Sharks
Post-July 1, the Penguins forward group makes a lot of sense. It’s overstocked with bodies at the moment but that “problem” could be easily solved by moving a veteran like Bryan Rust and/or Rickard Rakell to clear some room and set themselves up for the future. The depth chart more or less lines up.
The same can’t be said about this look of blueliners, there’s a lot more to resolve still this summer on the backend when checking the PuckPedia depth chart:
This list doesn’t include Owen Pickering or Vladislav Kolyachonok, but does that really matter? There’s not a lot going on there, and Erik Karlsson’s lasting presence may or may not be something to count on. Say what you will about Karlsson’s impact or ability to live up to expectations but removing him and his skills to move the puck from this defense group is a scary sight to see. This isn’t the Kris Letang of the 2010’s as one of the best defenders in the league, Ryan Graves has proven to be barely functional in a sheltered role. Clifton is limited as a veteran and the rest of the players mentioned are replacement quality on a good day. It’s not like the Pens have been making actual moves to overly urgent to “compete” in the immediate term, as Kyle Dubas likes to put it, but the defense remains an area to address and improve.
Arguably the moves so far (trading Conor Timmins, waving bye-bye to Matt Grzelcyk in free agency vs adding Clifton in a trade and Alex Alexeyev/Parker Wotherspoon in FA) have only downgraded what already was a terrible group, Karlsson resolution looming.
Enter..San Jose?
David Pagnotta: The Sharks are looking to move out at least one defenseman, with both Timothy Liljegren and Henry Thrun available – The Fourth Period
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 5, 2025
The Sharks have gone somewhat wild this summer, signing Dmitri Orlov and John Klingberg and adding Nick Leddy off waivers. That revamp could push someone else out.
Pittsburgh/San Jose aligns, since the Pens have too many forwards and the Sharks could use some more in the Danton Heinen/Blake Lizotte/Tommy Novak type of range. If SJ takes a longer view of assets, grabbing a Noel Acciari now to flip to a contender next spring might line up too.
Timothy Liljegren stands out as a former Maple Leaf, and Dubas has time and again brought people with Toronto ties back. Right defense isn’t as pressing of a need for the Pens right now, but at this point they could use all the capable defenders they can get without being picky. (And, there’s also the Karlsson matter still hanging out there that could create a large hole at the RD spot sooner than later..)
Thrun, 23, is young and hasn’t had much NHL success yet, but he might stand to benefit a change of scenery and getting out of San Jose to show a higher level of play.