Dec 13, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) and defenseman John Klingberg (3) celebrate an overtime game-winning goal by Klingberg to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Dec 13, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) and defenseman John Klingberg (3) celebrate an overtime game-winning goal by Klingberg to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The San Jose Sharks got defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick from the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. They made a swap by sending the 20th overall selection back to Buffalo.
The Sharks announced this move on Wednesday. For Kesselring, this trade is a fresh start after an injury-plagued debut season that did not give him the chance to leave a mark on the Sabres.
San Jose gave away their 20th overall selection, which originally belonged to Edmonton, to the Sabres. In exchange, the Sharks earned the 27th pick while adding an NHL-ready defenseman.
"Michael has a big frame with solid two-way ability," Sharks general manager Mike Grier said.
"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 blue line. We're happy to have him a part of the organization," added the GM.
The Sabers brought the 6-foot-5, 215-pound blueliner from the Utah Mammoth in June 2025 for similar reasons. In his final season with Utah, he appeared in all of their 82 games and scored 29 points.
This performance was enough to convince the Sabres that he could be a key player in their defense. He was expected to play alongside Owen Power.
The Sabres, who won the Atlantic Division last season, got past Kesselring after he had just made two assists in 34 games.
Injuries derailed Michael Kesselring last season
Kesselring never found a sweet spot in Buffalo from the moment training camp ended. He suffered a knee injury late in the preseason, costing him the first nine games.
After those nine games, he suffered a high ankle sprain. During a game in November against the Detroit Red Wings, Sabrenoise reported that coach Lindy Ruff didn't have an encouraging update.
By the time Kesselring was in form again, Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Bowen Byram, and Mattias Samuelsson had marked themselves as the team's top four defenders.
Later, the addition of Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn ahead of the trade deadline, along with rookie Zach Metsa, pushed Kesselring completely out of the lineup. He played just three of the Sabres' final 30 games and appeared in only one playoff contest.
Despite the setbacks, Ruff said the team still believed in Kesselring.
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Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi