San Jose Sharks Top Trade Candidate Out for Several Weeks

The San Jose Sharks will be without center Tomas Hertl for a minimum of 'several weeks' after he underwent a procedure to clean out loose cartilage from his left knee. Hertl is widely considered the best player on the Sharks and was linked to several teams in trade talks leading up to the March 8 deadline.

Hertl spoke to the media about the procedure and opened up on what's been going on health wise:

I have been experiencing soreness in my left knee on and off this season. After speaking with doctors and our medical staff earlier this year, it was clear that the injury was not going to get any worse and I could continue to play through it, including attending the NHL All-Star weekend in Toronto. After returning from Toronto and having additional conversations with my family and our team medical staff over the last week, I made the decision to have this procedure done now so that I can return to 100% as soon as possible.

The 30-year-old Hertl has produced 15 goals and 34 points in 48 games this season and at times looks like he's playing on an island by himself. He has a full no-movement clause and can't be traded unless he approves the destination and is owed $8.13 million AAV through the 2029-30 season.

Look for Sharks GM Mike Grier to turn his attention to trade talks involving Logan Couture, Mikael Granlund, Anthony Duclair, Kevin Labanc, Mario Ferraro, Mackenzie Blackwood and Kaapo Kahkonen.

How it started vs. How it’s going

Tomas Hertl wore a Justin Bieber mask during the 2020 All-Star Weekend. Four years later, he got a picture with Biebs at the All-Star Game in Toronto!⭐️ pic.twitter.com/PRUKk6urLL
— BarDown (@BarDown) February 4, 2024