“Logical time” for NHL GM with a history of big trades to make another blockbuster deal.

There is always trade talk when the National Hockey League season comes to an end, but there is a distinct feeling that the upcoming expansion draft may result in some teams making truly huge deals. 

The latest to speculate about such a trade is San Jose Sharks insider Kevin Kurnz who believes that this is a "logical time" for general manager Doug Wilson, a man known for making the bit trade, to make another big trade, perhaps even a blockbuster deal.

From Kevin Kurnz via CSN Bay Area(Emphasis our own):

A top center would likely be at the top of the list. Perhaps the Sharks will get involved in discussions for Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon or Matt Duchene. Maybe the Islanders won’t be able to re-sign Jonathan Tavares, and will deal him instead. Perhaps Philadelphia, which got lucky in the draft lottery with the second overall pick, will look to move captain Claude Giroux to make way for Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier.

Needless to say the mere acquisition of any of these players would put the trade in the category of "blockbuster" deal, and considering how much the Sharks would have to give up to acquire such a player, it would undoubtedly be a monumental trade. Kurnz acknowledges that such a deal would likely cost the Sharks one or more members of their current core group.

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If the Sharks were to go after a player like that they would have to part with at least one or two key pieces, just like Nashville did when it sacrificed Weber and and Jones. Think along the lines of Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl, Justin Braun or Timo Meier going the other way. 

Complicating matters is the pending free agency of both Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, the two greatest players in the history of the Sharks franchise. Should the Sharks attempt to retain both men it would likely complicate matters both in terms of roster space as well as cap space, but there is some feeling that one or perhaps both could be allowed to walk in free agency if the Sharks could manage such a huge deal. 

Dough Wilson is certainly a man worth keeping a close eye on this season.