Avalanche, Sharks swap former first-round picks in four-player trade

The San Jose Sharks announced on Wednesday night that they've traded former first-round pick Ryan Merkley and forward Matt Nieto to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Martin Kaut and Jacob MacDonald.

Merkley, 22, requested a trade from the Sharks in early January. In 30 games for the Sharks' AHL affiliate, he has 14 points. As for Matt Nieto, 30, he's returning to a Colorado team he spent parts of four seasons with between 2017 and 2020.

MacDonald, 29, appeared in 33 games for the Avalanche this season, putting up two assists, 11 penalty minutes and was a minus-three. Kaut, also a former first-round pick, had eight points in ten games for Colorado's AHL affiliate.

The #SJSharks have acquired Jacob MacDonald and Martin Kaut from Colorado in exchange for Matt Nieto and Ryan Merkley.— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 26, 2023