Sharks acquires Michael Kesselring, No. 27 pick from Buffalo

Just over 24 hours following the blockbuster trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Philadelphia Flyers, there is another trade to report out of the National Hockey League.

San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier has picked up a promising young defenseman from the Buffalo Sabres, acquiring Michael Kesselring along with the 27th overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. In return, the Sharks sent the 20th overall pick back to the Sabres.

WE’VE GOT A TRADE

Hello Michael Kesselring and 27th overall!

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) June 17, 2026

According to Grier, the acquisition of Kesselring will give them a versatile defender whom they feel is an upgrade on the blue line.

“Michael has a big frame with solid two-way ability,” said Grier via NHL.com. “He is a responsible player in the defensive zone with a well rounded offensive game, and will be a good upgrade for us patrolling the blueline. We’re happy to have him a part of the organization.”

The move also reunites him with head coach Ryan Warsofsky, who coached Kesselring with Team USA in the 2025 World Championship in which they claimed the gold medal for the first time in nearly a century.

Kesselring was selected in the sixth round (164th overall pick) by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2018 NHL Draft. But in March 2023, he would be traded along with a 2023 third-round pick to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Nick Bjugstad and Cam Dineen. Eventually, the Coyotes moved to Salt Lake City and became known as the Utah Hockey Club, and later, the Utah Mammoth.

Kesselring was traded last summer to the Sabres with Josh Doan in the J.J. Peterka deal. In 190 career NHL games, he’s scored 12 goals with 43 assists.

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