What happened: The San Jose Sharks acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring from the Buffalo Sabres. As part of the deal, the teams also exchanged first-round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft. Per Buffalo, the Sabres received the No. 20 overall pick along with Kesselring going the other way.

Why it matters: The move adds a right-shot defenseman to San Jose's blue line as the franchise continues to build around its young core, while Buffalo moves up the first-round board to address its draft priorities. It is the latest turn in a long-running saga for Kesselring, who had repeatedly surfaced as a trade candidate through the offseason before the deal came together.

What to watch: Watch how both clubs use their reshuffled first-round positions at the 2026 NHL Draft, and where Kesselring slots into San Jose's defensive pairings.