"I Didn't Expect to Be Traded. I Was Shocked" - Kovalenko on His Trade from the Avalanche to the Sharks

Olli Maatta #2 of the Utah Hockey Club and Nikolai Kovalenko #15 of the San Jose Sharks (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Nikolai Kovalenko was recently traded to the San Jose Sharks from the Colorado Avalanche. On December 9, the winger, along with goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, was traded to the California-based team for goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, forward Givani Smith, and a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. The Sharks also received a fifth-round pick in the 2025 Draft and a second-round pick in 2026.

For Kovalenko, a rookie in the NHL, the trade came as a shock.

“We were on the road in Pittsburgh, and it was a day off,” Kovalenko shared in an interview with RG. “The head coach [Jared Bednar] called me to his room. When I arrived, he called the general manager and put the phone on speaker. That’s when I was informed about the trade. After that, the head coach wished me luck with the new team and a bright future.”

The 25-year-old Kovalenko played 28 games for Colorado, scoring 8 points (4 goals and 4 assists). He came overseas last spring and made his debut for the Avalanche during the playoffs. Before that, he played for Torpedo in the KHL.

“When the coach called me to his room, I didn’t think it was about the trade. I thought I might be sent down to the AHL. Although, if it was a farm team assignment, they would probably just tell me over the phone. But the thought of a trade didn’t cross my mind. When they told me about it, I was shocked,” recounted Kovalenko.

Processing A Big Change

For the skilled winger, it was a massive and shocking change; having never been traded mid-season in his career before. As he took the news from coach Jared Bednar, he recounted how his mind began to spin in many directions.

“I didn’t understand if it was good or bad for me. I didn’t know how to react. It was the first time in my career that I’d been traded mid-season,” said Kovalenko.

“I experienced emotions that were unusual for me. Within two minutes of them telling me I was traded, the news was already all over social media. News spreads very quickly in the NHL.”

But Kovalenko wasn’t the only one included in the trade, as fellow countryman Alexandar Georgiev was also hit with the same news. It was a shock for them as a group, especially the Russian contingent on the Avalanche.

“After the meeting with the coach, I immediately went to Georgiev’s room. He had also been called by the coach. We gathered the Russian crew in the room and talked. We felt sad about leaving Val [Valeri Nichushkin] alone,” said Kovalenko. “At the time, Nikita Prishchepov was also on the team but was being sent to the AHL. We said, ‘Sorry, Val, but you’re on your own now.’ Even the massage therapist, Evgeny Khaletsky, came to say goodbye.”

Getting traded is a fact of life in the NHL. If Wayne Greztky could be traded, anyone can.

Kovalenko admitted that his time in Colorado would be a memory for life after suiting up for the same team that drafted his father, Andrei, in 1990. His father was also traded by the Avalanche in a package that netted the Avalanche none other than Patrik Roy from the Montreal Canadiens.

Not only was it for to be an Avalanche, but Kovalenko enjoyed the on-ice shenanigans as well, forming a close bond with his teammates.

“I won’t rate my play for the Avalanche — that’s for the coaches to do. But I enjoyed playing with everyone and had a ton of fun during every game. It was easier with Nichushkin since we could talk in our native language,” added Kovalenko.

Before the trade, Mikko Rantanen joked about Kovalenko’s actions on Colorado’s bench, saying the Russian used the iPad more than anyone else. “He’s young and probably plays Angry Birds on the bench,” Rantanen would say.

“He said, ‘Probably playing Angry Birds,’” Kovalenko explained. “I like to rewatch my shifts during the game. I watch my actions, how the opponent plays, how the defensemen act, and I try to adjust my game accordingly.”

Potentially to Blossom in San Jose

Since the trade, Kovalenko has felt great in San Jose and has been adapting to the new system quite well. It’s always a little stressful the first time you arrive at a new team as a rookie, but Kovalenko has been blown away by the directives and communication from the Sharks’ staff.

“The guys help a lot, give advice during practices, and assist off the ice. Communication is excellent,” said Kovalenko. “The team is young, and everyone gets along very well. The only challenge is that sometimes they swallow their words, and I don’t understand them.”

However, one of the most often forgotten aspects of an NHL trade is its impact on players and their families, especially when they’re married or have children. Thankfully, in Kovalenko’s case, he and his wife are seemingly making it work.

And oftentimes, the consequences of NHL life are less than desirable, with Kovalenko and his wife canceling their Christmas plans due to the Sharks’ schedule.

“On the trade day, I was supposed to reserve a hotel in Aspen since my wife and I planned to go there, but we had to cancel everything. Aspen was no longer a priority,” said Kovalenko. “We have a game against the Canucks on December 23, so there won’t be time to go there.”

Thankfully for Kovalenko, Christmas came early this year, with head coach Ryan Warsofsky deciding to place him on a line with Macklin Celebrini.

The 1st overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft has been excellent this season, and Kovalenko has been amazed at what the 18-year-old can do on the ice.

“Macklin is a great guy. I really enjoy playing with him. We found good chemistry early on,” said Kovalenko.

“He’s young, and I guess I’m not old yet either — we’re on the same wavelength. He’s a talented player with great vision, skills, and skating. But I’d also like to give some props to the other guys I’ve played with.”

Sharks’ recent 4-3 victory over the St-Louis Blues seemed to be Kovalenko’s coming-out party as the talented winger recorded three assists. The young forward immediately credited his teammates for being able to convert his plays into goals.

“I positioned myself well and made some unpredictable plays that the guys were able to convert on, so I got credited with the assists,” said a humble Kovalenko. “I have to thank my teammates for scoring off my passes.”

Netting five assists in his first five games as a Shark is a pretty impressive accomplishment for a new player. Kovalenko believes much of his success can be accredited to the positive vibes and great communication he’s receiving from Ryan Warsofsky, comparing his style to Jared Bednar in Colorado.  

“Only positive impressions about him. Like Bednar, he helps, explains, and guides. He does everything to make the players feel comfortable on the ice.”

Kovalenko now has a real chance to establish himself as a top-6 forward in the NHL with the Sharks. Although he may not be able to celebrate that fact around a Christmas tree this December, he feels incredibly thankful for the new opportunity.