Teams Reportedly Lining Up for Shot at Player Whose Rights Belong to the San Jose Sharks

We're a little under two months away from the NHL 2023-24 trade deadline, but one report says teams are already showing their interest in a prospect belonging to the San Jose Sharks. That prospect is somewhat of a late-bloomer, but has put up great numbers the last two seasons.

Sasha Chmelevski already has some NHL experience under his belt, playing 24 games over the course of his career. However, the 24-year-old American player has connections to Russia, and decided to spend the last two years with Ufa Salavat Yulayev of the KHL. Over that time, Chmelevski has shown great promise, scoring 26 goals in 67 games last season, while putting up 21 in 49 games so far in 2023-24. Insider Kevin Weekes says teams across the league are looking for an opportunity at a trade for his rights to sign him to an NHL deal, while the Sharks have granted his agent permission to speak to anyone interested.

**Breaking News ** 🚨 📰

The @SanJoseSharks currently hold his rights, there's high interest from @NHL teams in trading to sign Sasha Chmelevski. He's been one of the top players in the KHL for the last 2 seasons, and his representation has been granted permission to engage pic.twitter.com/qcWZSX6Px1— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) January 13, 2024

Vancouver Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal has added to Weekes' information, saying the Vancouver Canucks are interested in landing Chmelevski.


The San Jose Sharks are currently bogged down in a season with record losing streaks, while they hold the very last spot in the league with 23 points in 42 games played. Landing a pick or a prospect for a player that doesn't seem to be all that keen on playing in San Jose, could be a rare bright spot for GM Mike Grier.