Sharks Lose Mukhamadullin to Oilers, Closing Chapter on Meier Trade

Shakir Mukhamadullin’s journey in the NHL has taken another unexpected turn, leading him away from San Jose. The 24-year-old defenseman, once a pivotal piece in the Timo Meier trade, has signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers, just ahead of the arbitration deadline. This move marks the end of his brief tenure with the Sharks and opens a new chapter in Alberta.

For the Sharks, Mukhamadullin’s departure is significant, as he was still seen as a part of their long-term defensive vision after joining the organization in 2023 through the blockbuster deal that sent Meier to New Jersey. His path to this point has been anything but straightforward. Drafted 20th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2020, Mukhamadullin never played for the franchise that selected him. Instead, he was traded to San Jose as part of the Meier deal, where he finally secured a consistent role, appearing in 50 games during the 2025-26 season, marking the most extensive look he’s had at the NHL level.

Last season, Mukhamadullin showcased his potential by scoring five goals and accumulating 12 points while averaging 17:09 of ice time per game. He also contributed defensively, recording 63 blocked shots, all while managing to navigate multiple injury interruptions.

Now, Mukhamadullin embarks on his next opportunity in Edmonton, where the Oilers announced the signing through agent Dan Milstein. The contract features a salary of $1.55 million for the upcoming season, alongside a $200,000 signing bonus, followed by a $1.75 million salary in the second year, which also serves as his qualifying offer.

In San Jose, the expectation was that Mukhamadullin would continue to develop into a depth or bottom-pairing defenseman, with glimpses of untapped potential still to be realized. However, in Edmonton, he joins a blue line already populated by established veterans like Mattias Ekholm and Jake Walman, while Ryan Shea’s recent five-year deal adds further competition on the left side.

This situation likely places Mukhamadullin in a familiar position of battling for ice time, potentially shifting sides to secure a more permanent role in the NHL amidst a crowded depth chart. For the Oilers, this acquisition is a low-risk investment in size and development potential. Meanwhile, for the Sharks, Mukhamadullin’s exit serves as another reminder of how dynamic their defensive landscape remains as they continue to reshape the roster after key rebuild decisions.

Currently, Edmonton has just under $6.5 million in cap space available, with further roster decisions looming. For San Jose, the departure of another piece from the Meier trade tree signals a continued evolution in their team structure, while Mukhamadullin prepares to write his next chapter elsewhere.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.