The Sharks have made a late July trade, sending forward Daniil Gushchin to the Colorado Avalanche for forward prospect Oskar Olausson.
Gushchin was the Sharks' last remaining RFA, and there were rumors he was looking to go to the KHL if he wasn’t given a fresh opportunity. The Sharks will give him that fresh start, sending him to the Avs for former first-round pick Oskar Olausson.
Gushchin was never able to find his game at the NHL level, but showed flashes of NHL skill over his tenure with the Sharks and was a terrific scorer for the Barracuda. Ultimately, it was a numbers game for the Sharks, who have brought in numerous young prospects over the years that have put Gushchin’s future in doubt. If he chooses to sign with the Avs, he should have a better chance at earning a scoring role on the cap-strapped contender looking for cheap scoring than with the Sharks.
In return, the Sharks are getting a former first-round pick and once-promising prospect in Oskar Olausson. Olausson is younger than Gushchin but has yet to make a significant impact at the AHL level. The Sharks are hoping that a change of scenery can jump-start his game. Olausson still has 1 year left on his deal and is not waiver-eligible, so he can easily be assigned to the Barracuda after training camp. If Olausson can show some promise next year for the Cuda, he is still young enough to make an NHL impact down the road.
Overall, it’s not a bad swap for the Sharks. Olausson has some potential, and it doesn’t seem like Gushchin was thrilled to return to the AHL next season. With Gushchin traded, the Sharks no longer have the rights to any player in the 2020 draft, further adding to the disappointing end to what was supposed to be a promising class.