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Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter
With the expectation they’ll take Boston University center Macklin Celebrini with the first pick of the NHL draft on Friday, the Sharks used Thursday to give their future star additional help.
The Sharks traded up to get the 11th pick of the draft from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the No. 14 and No. 42 picks. Fifteen minutes later, the Sharks acquired forward Carl Grundstrom in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman Kyle Burroughs.
Finishing with the NHL’s worst record saw the Sharks have the strongest odds to win the NHL draft lottery. The franchise won the lottery for the first time in their history and are set to add Celebrini, who won the Hobey Baker Award for the nation’s top men’s collegiate player, to their plans.
Building toward what they believe could become a stronger future has been the priority for the Sharks as they currently remain in a rebuild that has led to them missing the playoffs for five straight seasons.
Moving up to take the 11th pick in the draft means they could be able to potentially draft prospects such as London Knights defenseman Sam Dickinson, Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Iginla, Saginaw Spirit defenseman Zayne Parekh and Calgary Hitmen defensemen Carter Yakemchuk.
Their selection with that pick, in addition to Celebrini, would add to an offseason that saw them sign their first-round pick from last season, Boston College center Will Smith, to an entry-level contract. Smith left BC after one season, having scored 25 goals and 71 points in 41 games.
Getting Grundstrom, who scored eight goals and 12 points in an injury-riddled season that saw him play 50 games, gives the Sharks a winger who could benefit from more playing time. It also gives them what will be their eighth pending restricted free agent.
As for Burroughs, his arrival provides the Kings with another defenseman on a team-friendly contract as they seek to address their needs in what’s slated to be another important offseason.
Taking on Burroughs, who has two years left on his contract at $1.1 million annually, gives the Kings a defenseman who played in a career-high 73 games last season. It also gives them another option on a penalty kill that was second in the NHL, with Burroughs finishing the season with nearly 80 short-handed minutes.
It also leaves the Kings with what CapFriendly projects is $22.350 million to strengthen their roster with free agency starting Monday.
Source: www.espn.com