San Jose Sharks Acquire Oskar Olausson from Colorado Avalanche

The San Jose Sharks have made a notable roster change by trading forward Danil Gushchin to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Swedish forward Oskar Olausson. General Manager Mike Grier announced the trade on July 25, 2025, at the SAP Center in San Jose, marking a pivotal move in the Sharks’ ongoing rebuilding process. This acquisition signals the Sharks’ commitment to enhancing their forward lineup with promising talent.

Olausson, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 181 pounds, brings a combination of size and offensive skill that aligns with the Sharks’ vision for a more agile and dynamic team. Drafted in the first round as the 28th overall pick by the Avalanche in the 2021 NHL Draft, the 22-year-old has spent significant time developing in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles. Last season, he recorded 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 61 games and made two appearances in the NHL for the Avalanche during the 2024–25 season.

“Oskar is a player we’ve tracked for a while,” Grier remarked about the acquisition. “His skating, size, and scoring ability give him the tools to succeed in today’s NHL, and we believe he can grow into an important piece for our forward group.”

In his professional career thus far, Olausson has accumulated 66 points (33 goals, 33 assists) over 163 AHL games and participated in four NHL contests. On the international front, he represented Sweden at the 2021 and 2022 World Junior Championships, contributing significantly to the team’s success in securing a bronze medal in 2022 with five points in seven games.

The trade also involves the Sharks parting ways with Gushchin, a 23-year-old forward who has consistently contributed to the San Jose Barracuda. Gushchin notched 150 points (70 goals, 80 assists) in 182 AHL games and added five points (two goals, three assists) in 18 NHL games with the Sharks.

“Danil’s a talented player who gave us everything in his time here,” Grier acknowledged. “But this is an opportunity to add a former first-round pick with a skill set that complements our future plans.”

For Olausson, this trade presents a chance to establish himself more firmly in the NHL, especially given the depth of Colorado’s forward lineup. Before his North American career, he stood out in Sweden with HV71, scoring 14 goals and 27 points in just 16 J20 games before transitioning to the SHL. He also excelled in the Ontario Hockey League, amassing 39 points in 55 games split between Barrie and Oshawa.

As the Sharks prepare for training camp, expectations are high for Olausson to translate his potential into consistent performance at the NHL level. This trade is more than a simple roster adjustment; it represents a strategic investment in the future of the franchise, as the Sharks look to rebuild and re-establish themselves as competitive contenders in the league.