Marek: “Okay, so we’re really diving deep into the blue line strategy here to kick off the podcast.”

Friedman: “Are you heading to San Jose now?”

Marek: “Let’s shift our focus to San Jose. To put it simply, is every player up for trade?”

Friedman: “I believe they are. I’ve heard from several sources that there’s doubt about whether they would be willing to part with some of their younger defensemen. You know, the players acquired during the 2015 Timo Meier trade. Those might not be the players they’re eager to move, which makes sense considering their potential. However, it appears that the majority of their blue line is indeed on the trading block.

They are open to discussions regarding almost any player. Although (Sharks GM) Mike Grier declined to comment directly, there are enough indicators out there suggesting the team’s direction.

Mario Ferraro, for instance, has garnered interest in the past, particularly back in 2015 when Carolina made a significant push to acquire him. He’s widely regarded as a talented young player with a solid reputation. With a contract for two more years at just $3.25 million, many teams will be assessing what it would take to secure him. His affordability, combined with his age—only 25—makes him especially appealing.

He’s a highly skilled player, and many understand why San Jose is exploring these options. This season, they were clearly entering a rebuilding phase, but I doubt they anticipated it would unfold this dramatically. Recently, they’ve started to perform better, possibly due to Grier’s challenges to the team. Their recent victory on the road against New Jersey was particularly significant, as they scored as many goals in that game as they had on the road all season. It was a crucial win for them.

Marek: “They certainly gave the Rangers a tough game on Sunday night as well.”

Friedman: “Absolutely. However, they are in dire need of assistance—much more than they currently have. What they seem to be indicating is that they will do everything possible to enhance their asset portfolio. They are looking to accumulate more ‘lotto tickets’ by acquiring young talent. Someone mentioned to me that they believe another team, whether it’s Carolina or another franchise, will pursue Ferraro aggressively. They think the Sharks could secure valuable assets for him if they choose to trade him.”

We saw those news that some groups have interest in Mario Ferraro from the San Jose Sharks. We have no idea why. But if Carolina desires him, Eric Tulsky absolutely understands why. https://t.co/QXJEaLEZCm pic.twitter.com/yaLTCL1QH4

— Andy & Rono (@ARHockeyStats) December 5, 2023