3 Potential Trade Destinations For Sharks' Logan Couture

The San Jose Sharks are looking to get even worse before they get better and Logan Couture is someone who will have to go to make that a reality. He led all forwards in points (67) and finished second in goals (27) behind Timo Meier who isn't there anymore. Couture still has four years left on his deal at $8 million AAV, but I could see the Sharks retaining half and trading him next offseason. If so, here are some likely destinations.

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild have to deal with two full years of over $14 million in dead cap before they have the freedom to really build an impactful team. After this year, Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Foligno, and Ryan Hartman are due for new contracts. While the team is already trying to work on new deals, Hartman will be a little difficult because of his current salary and what he did in 2021-22. Eriksson Ek could finally be moved up to the top line and Couture could come in as a strong veteran second line center for a few short years while the team figures things out.

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins will be looking at any centerman that could be available to them over the next year. They aren't set up great this season, but it might take until next offseason to get anything significant done. While Hertl would be a long-term solution, Couture could be the veteran short-term solution the team could be looking for. He provides offense and strong defensive play, something the Bruins have enjoyed having down the middle in their top-six. Plus Couture, with retained salary, would be much cheaper to have on the roster and to acquire.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are hoping to turn things around fairly quickly. I don't think that is happening this season and it will be treated as more of a development year, but next offseason the team could look to add bigger pieces. While players like Connor Bedard and Lukas Reichel grow, Bedard could use a veteran centerman playing behind him to take some of the pressure off of him each shift. The Blackhawks could take more of the Couture contract than most teams and he can still chip in nicely at both ends of the ice. Reichel is being tested out at center this season, but could easily move over to the wing for a while too.