Breaking: Former First Round Pick Invalid in Late Night Trade

The San Jose Sharks have dealt former first round pick Ryan Merkley and Matt Nieto to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Jacob MacDonald and Martin Kaut.

Merkley had requested a trade out of San Jose a few weeks ago and it appears that the Sharks have agreed to give the 22 year old a fresh start in Colorado. Matt Nieto has 15 points in 45 games this year for the Sharks and should give the Avalanche more depth in their bottom six. Nieto played for the Avalanche from 2016 until 2020 before joining San Jose.

Jacob MacDonald is 29 years old and has 2 points in 33 games this season for Colorado. He has skated in 76 games in his NHL career and has 12 points in those contests. Martin Kaut has played in 27 games this season for Colorado and has 3 points on the year. He is 23 years old and will look for a fresh start in San Jose.



This trade should benefit both teams nicely. Colorado receives a young defenseman in desperate need of a change and a veteran forward to round out their bottom six. The Sharks get a veteran defenseman and a young forward to add to their prospect pool.