Sharks Open to Trading 1st Overall Selection if They Win Draft Lottery

The San Jose Sharks struggled in the 2024-25 season, winning just 20 games and giving themselves the best odds to win the draft lottery for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. This would be the second year in a row they select first, if they win the lottery, but a recent report indicates they’re open to entertaining trade offers for the pick.

If #SJSharks get the No. 1 pick, Grier says he's more willing to entertain offers for it than last year.

Not that he's giving it away, he'd be looking for a Herschel Walker/Ricky Williams-type offer.

"At the top, after Schaefer, it's probably more forward-heavy."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 18, 2025

As mentioned, the Sharks wouldn’t be giving the selection away for cheap, and a team willing to trade up would have to be open to parting with some solid assets if they want to make the team truly consider moving the selection. If the Sharks end up winning the lottery, there is no doubt some teams would be willing to spend their future assets to select a player like Matthew Schaefer, who is expected to be the first name called at the draft.

What Would a Trade Look Like?

Trading the first overall selection isn’t common in the NHL, so thinking about what a package for that pick looks like is tough. However, asking for a future first-round pick and a prospect, as well as a depth player from a contending team, isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

I would assume the Sharks hang on to that selection if they get it, but, intriguingly, they’re willing to entertain offers to improve their team right now. Time will tell what happens, but this will be something to watch.

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