Senators select Stützle with Sharks' pick from Karlsson trade

Share

The Sharks now have a much better idea of the final cost it took to acquire Erik Karlsson from the Ottawa Senators.

The Senators selected left winger Tim Stützle with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft on Tuesday night, using the first-round pick they received from San Jose as part of the Karlsson trade prior to the 2018-19 season.

Since the Sharks re-signed Karlsson to an eight-year contract extension, Ottawa owns San Jose's 2021 second-round pick, the last remaining element of the trade that is to be determined.

Stützle, 18, was the top-ranked international prospect in the draft, and he scored seven goals and added 27 assists over 41 games with the Mannheim Eagles this past season in Germany. Surely neither the Senators nor the Sharks expected San Jose's unprotected first-rounder to result in such a highly regarded prospect, but Ottawa benefitted from great timing, as the Sharks' injury-riddled season ended in a last-place finish in the Western Conference.

It's a bitter pill to swallow, but San Jose has known this has been coming for some time. The Sharks certainly would have preferred to own the pick themselves, but hindsight is 20/20, and it's not as if they're displeased with their side of the trade. Karlsson has been limited by injuries in each of his two seasons with the team, but general manager Doug Wilson recently said the former Norris Trophy winner is "fully healthy," possibly for the first time since joining the Sharks.

RELATED: NHL draft tracker: First-round picks in order they're made

San Jose is fully intent on getting back to playoff contention next season, and a healthy Karlsson could go a long way toward accomplishing that goal. When in top form, he's still one of the most talented players in the league.

Despite trading the pick that turned into Stützle, the Sharks still have a first-round pick (No. 31 overall) they received as part of the Barclay Goodrow trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning. They also have the 34th and 55th overall picks in the second round, which takes place Wednesday.

Contact Us