SAN JOSE – The Sharks completed a minor trade Monday ahead of free agency, acquiring winger Nick Merkley from the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Christian Jaros.
Merkley, 24, had 10 points in 27 games for the Devils last season as he bounced between the NHL roster, New Jersey’s taxi squad, and the AHL.
Merkley, listed at 5-foot-10 and 194 pounds, was the Arizona Coyotes’ first-round draft choice in 2015. He was a pending restricted free agent and was not given a qualifying offer from the Sharks by Monday’s deadline. However, a source said he expected to reach an agreement on a new deal with San Jose.
In a statement, Joe Will, the Sharks assistant general manager and Barracuda GM said Merkley was “a competitive and skilled forward” who has “shown good progression in his young career and adds versatility to our organization’s forward depth.”
The Sharks did qualify another RFA, forward Noah Gregor, to retain his negotiating rights.
Goalie Adin Hill was previously issued a qualifying offer by the Arizona Coyotes, thus his rights are retained by San Jose. Hill came to the Sharks in a July 17 trade with Arizona and still needs a new contract.
Jaros, who signed a one-year contract extension with New Jersey on Monday, was acquired by the Sharks from the Ottawa Senators in January. Jaros played in seven games for the Sharks and had one assist.
Meanwhile, Ryan Donato’s time in San Jose appears to be over after he was not given a qualifying offer, as the Sharks will likely be back in the market for a middle-six forward when NHL free agency begins later this week.
Donato will become an unrestricted free agent if he’s not re-signed by Wednesday. UFAs are free to sign with any team as of Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. (PT).