Nico Sturm joins the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast! But before we congratulate Nico on winning a silver medal at the World Championships, and get his thoughts on the Erik Karlsson trade rumors and the San Jose Sharks’ acquisition of his Team Germany teammate Leon Gawanke – Keegan McNally and Sheng critique each other’s Erik Karlsson’s trade proposals, discuss third teams that might be willing to participate in a Karlsson trade, and chat about the Filip Zadina and Kasper Haltunnen signings. First, Erik Karlsson (2:49). There’s doubt that a deal will get done. Sheng questions how serious the Carolina Hurricanes are in their pursuit of Karlsson (8:13). Next, let’s have some fun – keep in mind that these are purely speculative trade proposals! What does Sheng think of Keegan’s Karlsson to Pittsburgh Penguins’ proposal (13:00)? Keegan explains how the San Jose Sharks could get back more from the Pens while only retaining $2 million AAV a year of Karlsson’s remaining contract (14:52).  Sheng is frustrated with websites and accounts who are passing off his proposals as actual trade offers (23:54). What does Keegan think of Sheng’s Karlsson to Pittsburgh proposal (30:28)? Sheng explains his reasoning (32:28) and how his offer echoes what the San Jose Sharks got from the Canes for Brent Burns last summer, then Keegan responds (33:48). What does Keegan think of Sheng’s Karlsson to Hurricanes proposal (39:50)? Sheng explains his rationale (40:16), including the Sharks liking Jack Drury (42:32). Keegan reacts (45:06). However, a Karlsson trade might not be as simple as Keegan and Sheng’s proposals (48:12). A source told Sheng, “I’ve heard that it’s going to take three teams to get it done.” Could a third team take on a rerouted contract like Jeff Petry, Mikael Granlund, or Teuvo Teravainen (49:54)? Sheng proposes an unusual retention strategy for the San Jose Sharks (54:12): How about having a third team retain just $1 million AAV for the next four years of Karlsson’s contract? What teams might be a middle man (56:32) for a proposal like that?  Marco D’Amico of Montreal Hockey Now, Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports, and Hart Levine of Puckpedia offer their wisdom on this: Marco says the Montreal Canadiens aren’t likely to help. Craig says that the Arizona Coyotes aren’t the dumping ground that they used to be. Hart thinks, even if the AAV is low, that retaining for four years will require an overpay (1:10:14).  So what’s an overpay trade for $1 million AAV retention for four years? Should the San Jose Sharks pay that price? Does Sheng think a Karlsson deal will happen this off-season (1:06:58)? Next, we talk about the Filip Zadina signing (1:13:25). Also, Sheng shares information on a genuine uncertainty about where Kasper Halttunen (1:18:55) will play next year. Finally, before we get to the Sturm interview, Sturm shares an off-to-the-side scouting report about Gawanke (1:26:30). Now, Nico Sturm (1:30:11)! Sturm talks about winning a silver medal at the World Championships (1:30:46). Sturm says the World Championships was the first time his older brother has seen him play live since he left Germany as a teenager (1:36:10). Sturm compares winning for Germany as opposed to winning a Stanley Cup (1:38:30). Sturm shares an under-the-radar German teammate that might have a better chance at the NHL than people think (1:41:15). Sturm talks about his reaction to a possible Erik Karlsson trade (1:44:18) and how the San Jose Sharks move forward without him. In Nico’s opinion, what type of players do the San Jose Sharks need (1:46:50)? What type of team?Listen to the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast — it’s a new link — on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and Google Podcasts.

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