Wild deal with Sharks again, trade James Sheppard for 3rd-round pick

For the third time this summer, the Minnesota Wild have made a trade with the San Jose Sharks.

This time, the Wild sent center James Sheppard to the Sharks for a third-round pick in the 2013 draft, TSN reported.

Sheppard, 23, missed last season with a knee injury suffered in an offseason ATV accident and is a restricted free agent. 

The No. 9 overall pick in the 2006 draft, Sheppard has 11 goals and 38 assists in 224 career games. He is a restricted free agent. 

The Wild traded defenseman Brent Burns and right wing Martin Havlat to the Sharks in separate deals in June and July, respectively.

Tom Pelissero is Senior Editor and columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts from 6 to 8 p.m. weeknights and co-hosts from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
Email Tom | @TomPelissero | Tom Pelissero