TRADE: Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks Strike Deal

A slight diversion from all of the free agent signings, as a trade has been struck between the Winnipeg Jets and the San Jose Sharks. 

The #NHLJets are trading the rights to RFA D Leon Gawanke to the #SJSharks for D Artemi Kniazev, a 22 year old from Russia who spent the past two seasons with the San Jose Barracuda of the #AHL He has one NHL game on his resume from the 2021-22 season. Played in #QMJHL previously

— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) July 2, 2023

The Jets are trading the rights to restricted free agent defenseman Leon Gawanke to the Sharks for defenseman Artemi Kniazev. 

A LEON LASER

🚨: Leon Gawanke
🍎: Greg Meireles pic.twitter.com/6PcMl65w1b

— Manitoba Moose (@ManitobaMoose) April 7, 2023

Gawanke, a 24-year-old out of Germany, has spent the past four seasons with the Manitoba Moose, the Jets' AHL affiliate. This past year, the D-man raised his profile considerably, scoring 20 goals and adding 25 assists for 45 points in 68 games, becoming one of the AHL's top threats from the blueline. 

Kniazev is a 22-year-old backliner from Russia, who's got one NHL game under his belt, and has spent the past two seasons with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL. The scouting report on him is that he's an explosive skater with good puck-moving skills and rushing ability, and plays an aggressive game that will eventually lead to a bit of offense, though that's not his specialty.

 Photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports