Sharks to Make Moves?

Fishing in the Trade Market

   The final hour's of the trade deadline is approaching, and everyone is wondering who will end up where. The San Jose Sharks are one of the few teams that might not make a single move this time around. That being said never underestimate the great mind of Doug Wilson. Numerous times Doug Wilson has made a trade that no one ever expected i.e. gaining the body of Raffi Torres last year. 

   Before last's nights game Adam Burish, Mike Brown, and Matt Tennyson were all scratches, while Antti Niemi was the back up for the 3rd time in 4 games. Now I wouldn't read to much into this as I can not see "Nemo" leaving, but they were just riding the hot goalie. As for the rest though, they could all be strong possibilities. I can only see these guys getting moved to clear up cap and to add to a deal with draft picks.

   There was some trade speculations going on yesterday with Devin Setoguchi maybe making a return to San Jose. This could be a smart move if the Sharks are going to be able to move some salary. "Seto" played great as a Shark but once he was traded he lost some of his flare. Since he was a kid, he loved the Sharks and coming back to the Bay Area, might be the best for the Sharks, and for "Seto" as he's looking to hit the reset button on his career. What better place to do that but on the team he has always loved, and the team that he started his NHL career on. 

   Back to the salary, the Sharks don't have a lot of space to make a move. But if they are able to move Marty Havlat's salary, it could help make a deal to pick up a great right winger. San Jose is set on defense with 7 D-man that could all be starters on any team in the NHL. Goal tending seems to be a none issue as well. Even our forwards really don't need any adding or subtracting, but if they do make a deal I would love to see Havlat leaving. Havlat has been nothing but a distraction with the Sharks. He's injury prone, he's a lot of money, and at times is very inconsistent.

   The right wings that could fit well in the Sharks organization are;

Drew Stafford

   Drew Stafford would be a perfect addition. He can play on the top line with Joe Thornton or even the second line with Couture. He has a great eye for the net and is not afraid to get into the dirty areas.  Let's also not forget he did get 4 Hat tricks in the 2010-2011 season.

Chris Stewart

   Chris Stewart could be another great addition, with his great shot and he is a big body that the Sharks could use in front of the net. He also has the fighting toughness that most of the Sharks do not have. If the Sharks were to give up a guy like Burish or Brown, adding Chris Stewart could make up for the lack of toughness and bring that great shot on the right wing. Plus if Stewart can get back on track and put up numbers like he had in 2009-2010 (77 games, 28 goals, 36 assists, with 64 points) He could be a perfect player for any team with 1 year left on his contract with a cap hit of $4.15 million.

Sam Gagner

   Sam Gagner is another player the Sharks should go after. Sam has proved that he has hands, he can skate, and he can make some incredible plays. He can also play both centre and right wing which could allow for many different line combinations. He has never really been on a winning team either when it comes to the NHL. Who knows if he is around a winning attitude, he might be able to step his game up even more and prove to the world that he is a star caliber player.

   I'm sorry I couldn't get more in depth with this and haven't posted in awhile but I have been quite busy with school, but once some of my tests are over I will be able to analyze and get more in depth. Honestly I believe that San Jose is safe with their team and shouldn't make a move just to make a move. This team has proven that they can win with every player in the line up and has enough depth to call up if needed. That being said you never know what is on Doug Wilsons mind and he could very well make a small to a blockbuster deal. It all depends on the price and assets. Remember, Wayne Gretzky got traded so anyone can get traded. Happy trade day everybody!!!

   

   

Little Joe Comes Up Big Once Again

   The first game back for the San Jose Sharks post Olympic break was glorious. Not only did we get to see Raffi Torres and Logan Couture come back into the line up and both scoring 2 goals a piece. The always dangerous "Little Joe" came up big with a hat trick of his own. 

  Joe Pavelski had just come back from a disappointing 4th place finish in the Olympics and posted 1 goal, 4 assists for a total 5 points. Now it would have been easy for Pavelski to come into tonight's game with little fire and play an average type game. Instead he used it as fuel and was the best Sharks player on the ice tonight. This just proves his leadership and determination to do anything for his team.

   There has always been talk that the core of the team is only getting older and that Sharks window is closing. I 100% disagree with this statement. With players like Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic all able to lead this team once Danny Boyle, Joe Thornton, and Patrick Marleau are gone, the Sharks will be a dangerous team for many years to come. They have great scouting and a brilliant GM in Doug Wilson who is never afraid of making the big moves. People always forget that the Sharks still have young players like Brent Burns, Tomas Hertl, Justin Braun, Jason Demers, Matt Irwin Tommy Wingels, Matt Nieto, Freddie Hamilton, James Sheppard, Mirco Mueller, Alex Stalock, and the lists goes on. The great thing about Sharks prospects is that quiet a few of seem to come out of no where and produce numbers that no one expects. Joe Pavelski himself was a 7th round 205th pick by the Sharks, and his stats keep improving. 

   Joe Pavelski is a future leader on this team and looks dangerous to opposing teams. He knows where to be on the ice, he can skate, and I believe he has one of the best wrist shots in the league. Not only does he have these great qualities, but he's a clutch performer scoring overtime goals in the playoffs more than once. He can play on any line and any forward postion you need him to and will always be a threat. So if you are not well antiquated with the name Joe Pavelski or "Little Joe" you better start. He's signed with the Sharks through 2018-2019 along with Logan Couture and will be a household name for years to come.