Sharks trade Stefan Noesen, acquire draft pick as part of three-team deal

San Jose Sharks retain part of Nick Foligno's salary as part of him going from Columbus Blue Jackets to Toronto Maple Leafs

The San Jose Sharks acted as a third party in a blockbuster trade between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday, and received another selection in this year’s draft as part of the deal.

In one trade, Columbus sent forward Nick Foligno to San Jose, retaining 50 percent of what is remaining on Foligno’s $5.5 million salary for this season. The Sharks then sent Foligno and forward Stefan Noesen to the Maple Leafs for Toronto’s own 2021 fourth-round selection. San Jose is retaining 25 percent of what was left on Foligno’s contract.

Additionally, Toronto sent their first-round selection in this year’s draft and a fourth-round selection in next year to Columbus.

Noesen, 28, split the season between the Sharks and Barracuda. Noesen played in five games for the Sharks and had six points and 23 penalty minutes in 12 AHL games.

There was no question that Sharks general manager Doug Wilson was going to explore opportunities to leverage their ample salary cap space. Before Sunday’s trade, per CapFriendly, the Sharks had $10.5 million in deadline cap space, and was easily a team that could act as a third party to a trade, retaining salary to help facilitate a trade between two other teams, in exchange for draft picks or prospects.

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