NHL Trade Rumors: Sharks Near Collin Graf Deal as Will Smith Talks Continue

The latest NHL trade rumors are not about a blockbuster swap, but they may be just as important for the San Jose Sharks’ future. General manager Mike Grier is working on two key young forwards at once, with Collin Graf described as pretty close to a contract being finalized and dialogue continuing with Will Smith on a long-term extension. For a team still building its next competitive window, these decisions matter as much as any splashy move.

Collin Graf contract talks point to a quick resolution

Graf looks like the easiest piece of the puzzle. He is a restricted free agent, and the tone around the negotiations suggests San Jose expects to keep him in the fold. The prediction here is straightforward: Graf gets re-signed, likely on a deal that gives the Sharks cost certainty and keeps an inexpensive middle-six option in place.

That would be smart business for a club that needs young forwards who can grow with the roster. Graf does not have to be a headline scorer to matter. Players in his lane create value by fitting into multiple roles, absorbing tough minutes, and helping a team manage cap space while its core develops. If San Jose can lock him in now, it protects depth and gives the coaching staff more flexibility.

For the Sharks, the implication is positive. A quick Graf deal would signal stability and reinforce the idea that the organization wants to reward internal progress instead of constantly chasing replacements. It also helps maintain momentum around a young group that is starting to define itself.

Will Smith extension remains the bigger swing

Smith is the more complicated case, and the more important one. Talks are ongoing, but there is still distance to cover before an extension becomes real. The Sharks want him long-term, and Smith is exactly the kind of player a rebuild can be built around if the price and term line up cleanly.

The prediction is that San Jose will eventually get something done, though it may take longer than the Graf deal. Smith has the kind of ceiling that forces front offices to weigh patience against urgency. If the Sharks believe he is part of their core beyond this season, they have every reason to keep pushing for a contract that keeps him in teal through his prime years.

The fit is obvious. San Jose needs high-skill, young forwards who can grow into bigger offensive responsibilities. Smith fits the timeline of the franchise, especially with other foundational pieces already being assembled. If the extension lands, it would represent a major step in turning the Sharks from a team with promise into a team with identity.

What it means for San Jose’s rebuild

The Sharks’ recent direction is becoming clearer. Keeping Graf and extending Smith would sharpen the roster around younger talent and reduce the need to lean on external fixes. It also sends a message to the room: the organization is prepared to commit to its own players when the upside justifies it.

That matters because the best rebuilds are not built only on draft picks, they are built on retention. A team gains traction when its emerging talent starts arriving together and staying together. San Jose appears determined to avoid drifting into a constant cycle of short-term patches.

Outlook: the next move should come fast

The most likely move is Graf’s contract getting finished first, followed by continued pressure to close the door on Smith before the conversation stretches deeper into the season. The wildcard is whether the Sharks decide to let the Smith talks breathe if term and dollars do not match their comfort level.

Either way, this is exactly the kind of summer that shapes the next few years. If San Jose gets both deals done, the Sharks take another real step toward a future where the rumours are no longer about who stays, but about how soon they start winning.