San Jose Sharks: 36-21-6, 78 pts, 3rd in West, 1st in Pacific
Status: Passive Buyer
The Sharks got off to a bit of a slow start this season, but have managed to right the ship with plenty of time, emerging atop a tightly-played Pacific Division with a current 3 point cushion over the Phoenix Coyotes. While they’ve still got plenty of work to do before this season is over, the Sharks look destined for yet another postseason run.
After exorcising their first-round playoff demons last year, the Sharks will have their work cut out for them in an incredibly tough Western Conference. Their offense remains one of the most potent in the league, especially with rookie of the year candidate Logan Couture exploding onto the scene as a serious goal threat. The big three of Heatley, Thornton and Marleau is still kicking, although the Sharks’ window of opportunity for a Stanley Cup victory with them may be drawing to a close.
The Sharks’ biggest need is on the blueline, and they’ve been rumored to have interest in just about every big name defenseman that’s been on the market this year. They missed out on Francois Beauchemin, who ended up with their Pacific Division rivals in Anaheim, and while it’s unlikely that they were seriously interested in Bryan McCabe or Tomas Kaberle, both players ended up elsewhere.
Instead of any of the big names, the Sharks made a very solid under-the-radar acquisition when they traded for Ian White from Carolina. White is a talented defenseman still developing into his prime, and is capable of contributing at both ends of the ice. Giving up a 2nd round pick is certainly worth a surefire NHL defenseman, but San Jose will probably still be looking to beef up the back end a bit.
Forward Devin Setoguchi has been rumored to have fallen out of favor with management, mainly because of Couture’s emergence as a top-six forward, and could likely garner a serviceable 4th or 5th defenseman. White’s acquisition puts the Sharks in a good place, however, as they’ve already filled the hole they needed to, and now can’t be forced into a trade they don’t want to make.
