Sharks acquire Kesselring and 27th pick from Sabers for 20th pick – Hockey Writers – NHL News

The San Jose Sharks acquired right-handed defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall draft pick from the Buffalo Sabers in exchange for the 20th overall draft pick this year.

WE HAVE TRADE 🔀

Hello Michael Kesselring and 27th overall!

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) June 17, 2026

When the Sabers traded for Kesselring last season, the thinking was that he was the solution to their lack of right-handed shooting guards. However, things did not go well, as he had an injury-riddled season, playing in only 34 games, recording two assists, and in one playoff game this season.

Sharks Add Youth to Blue Line

The Sharks add the 26-year-old Kesselring to their already impressive and unstable blue line mix. Apart from Dmitry Orlov, Sam Dickinson and Luca Cagnoni, they have no other defender under contract. Now, Kesselring is not under contract, as he is a pending free agent (RFA); However, the Sharks would not trade him unless they wanted to sign him to his contract.

The Sharks have had to work on defense, and adding Kesselring helps with that. Everyone is talking about his future with Macklin Celebrini, William Eklund, Will Smith and other top players, but apart from Dickinson, they still don’t lock down important defenders.

With the second overall pick, they have a chance to add to their already stacked forward group by drafting defenseman Ivar Stenberg or Chase Reid; we will see who they go with.

This trade for the Sharks helps strengthen part of their front four, and with how much star power they seem to have in their front line, this combination is huge for taking the next steps in the rebuild.

Kesselring Falls Short in Buffalo

Looking back at his time at Nathi, it’s clear that things never quite clicked. Despite the flashes of power, his minutes were limited, and there were nights where he didn’t see the ice, at one point getting a few shifts before head coach Lindy Ruff leaned heavily on a four-player rotation for most of the game.

He opened the season alongside Owen Power, and early on, it looked promising. There was chemistry, movement, and confidence. But when he got injured, everything changed. The Sabers called up Zach Metsa, who played so well that it was hard to justify leaving him out of the lineup. From that point on, Kesselring’s relationship with the organization seemed to sour. Trust was lacking, and the window of opportunity was quickly closed.

However, a change of scenery can do wonders. In San Jose, he will have a chance to reset and prove himself in a bigger role. The Sharks are rebuilding but not hungry to compete, and Kesselring’s size, mobility, and edge could make him an important part of the defense. I fully expect him to bounce back, not only to find his game again, but to help push San Jose into playoff contention.