NHL Trade Deadline Primer: Tomas Hertl could be game-changer if moved

The 2022 NHL Trade Deadline is Monday, March 21 at 3 p.m. ET. As we get closer to the deadline we will take a look at some individual players who could be on the move. We continue today with San Jose Sharks forward Tomas Hertl.

The most intriguing situation as we approach the trade deadline might be Tomas Hertl and the San Jose Sharks.

San Jose is rapidly falling out of playoff contention in the Western Conference, almost certainly making them sellers. Hertl is in the final year of his contract, is a top-line player, and would be one of the biggest names available on the market and almost certainly the most significant rental. If he gets moved, he could be a game-changer for a Stanley Cup contender and make a major impact in the middle of any lineup.

That is if he gets moved.

The Sharks have said all of the right things about wanting to re-sign him, Hertl has expressed a desire to remain in San Jose, and the team is reportedly set to make an offer in the very near future. Whether the Sharks make the playoffs this season or not there is still very good reason for them to want to re-sign him. He is still only 28 years old, should have several high level years ahead of him, and he has been one of their best players for the past four years.

The question is whether or not Hertl gets a deal he likes from the Sharks, and if he sees an opportunity to win there in the coming seasons.

If the Sharks decided to move him they would get a fairly significant return, even as a rental. Think first-round pick and a fairly good prospect, or a top prospect and a second-round pick.

A couple of years ago Ottawa traded Mark Stone for Erik Brannstrom (a top prospect in Vegas and a recent first-round pick), Oscar Lindberg, and a second-round