San Jose Sharks reportedly eyeing Morgan Rielly and Darnell Nurse as targets this summer

The San Jose Sharks are very close to clinching a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2019, but there is still plenty left yet to be decided over the next few weeks.

Whether or not the Sharks actually make the playoffs this year won't erase the fact that they are clearly a young team on the rise with multiple solid youthful pieces to build around, not the least of which are 2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini and 2023 fourth overall pick Will Smith.

Per a new report from NHL analyst David Pagnotta, the Sharks and general manager Mike Grier could get more aggressive this summer after missing out on acquiring Artemi Panarin, and named Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly as potential trade targets.

Will the Sharks make a major trade splash this summer?

A trade for either player wouldn't come cheap, and the Sharks would be taking on a considerable chunk of salary.

Nurse still has four years left after this one with an AAV (average annual value) of $9,250,000 on his contract, and Rielly also has four years left with an AAV of $7,500,000 on his contract.

But a move for either of them would show that they are serious about taking the next step and giving both Celebrini and Smith more talent to play with.

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