Internally we can fill a lot of those roles too. Sure it's not a proven NHL Vet, but you can get someone who can come in and play. Sometimes you don't know what you have in a prospect until they come in and have a chance to play. Just going off your list:

Starting Goalie: Check.
Top 4 D: Check.
Top 6 RW: None signed. We have a few options internally. Especially if people play off wing.
Bottom Pairing RD: None signed, Tennyson, Demelo, and Mirco will compete for the 6th spot. If Mirco he'll probably be on his offhand.
Bottom 6 Forward: Check.
True 4th line center: I don't understand this one. Ben Smith fills this role.
- IDtheJC

He just doesn't provide any offense that's the problem with him centering that 4th line he's better suited playing RW.

Wow you really hate Tommy Wingles. I'd take him on our team any day. He comes to play every night and his skill set isn't really that terrible. We'll trade you Kunitz for him and a third? Paul Martin was a really great signing for you guys. Actually the Sharks are my second favourite team because they are usually the only game still on when I finish an afternoon shift so I've been watching them and enjoying them for about 5 years now. I've been watching the Penguins for about 29 years though. Anyways the Sharks are a signing or a trade away from being right back in there.
- Dcoms

I've always been a fan of wingels too and think he would easily be on most teams 3rd line.. But make it Perron instead of kunitz and u got yourself a deal

He just doesn't provide any offense that's the problem with him centering that 4th line he's better suited playing RW.
- SJSharks39

If you're looking for someone who provides consistent offense on the fourth line. You might be in for a long wait man. There's a reason they're on the fourth line...

The number one thing we need is PK this season. We need to PK our asses off because we were HORRIBLE last year. Not just bad or below average. I think Smith helps with that. Long term I would like to see Tierney take over centering the second PK pair. He just needs to improve his faceoffs a lot before that can happen though.

If you're looking for someone who provides consistent offense on the fourth line. You might be in for a long wait man. There's a reason they're on the fourth line...

The number one thing we need is PK this season. We need to PK our asses off because we were HORRIBLE last year. Not just bad or below average. I think Smith helps with that. Long term I would like to see Tierney take over centering the second PK pair. He just needs to improve his faceoffs a lot before that can happen though.
- IDtheJC

You don't need constant offense, just need someone who can create a lil bit of offense & Smith doesn't create any of that as a center. Like i said he's better suited playing RW. We had the same problem with Desi & we'll have the same problem with Smith as the 4th line center. There's a reason why the Hawks played him at wing & did the same with Desi b/c they don't create any offense as a center.

You doing allright Tim? Leafs signed that possession monster plug Matthias

You don't need constant offense, just need someone who can create a lil bit of offense & Smith doesn't create any of that as a center. Like i said he's better suited playing RW. We had the same problem with Desi & we'll have the same problem with Smith as the 4th line center. There's a reason why the Hawks played him at wing & did the same with Desi b/c they don't create any offense as a center.
- SJSharks39

Yeah, Unless we drop Tierney down to fourth center we're probably not going to get offense out of any center we get for the fourth line.

I want to see how Marleau does with a new coach. The last time he had a showing this bad, it was when he was sick and tired of Ron Wilson. Seems parallel lol.

Stalock was benched twice last season after shutouts and did not seem to be given a fair shake as we thought he would get.

Those two were the first two at the presser introducing the new coach. Wingels being the 3rd
- j0e Th0rnton

I think Marleau's problem last year was with the GM not the coach. Same goes for the rest of the team as it watched Wilson sulk in the corner and seemingly deliberately undermine the team.

This summer things feel different. Wilson seems to remember that making the playoffs matters. If the Sharks gel they will be a competitive team and Marleau will be his old self.

I think Marleau's problem last year was with the GM not the coach. Same goes for the rest of the team as it watched Wilson sulk in the corner and seemingly deliberately undermine the team.

This summer things feel different. Wilson seems to remember that making the playoffs matters. If the Sharks gel they will be a competitive team and Marleau will be his old self.
- hit 'em

LOL! Yeah it clearly wasn't the coach fighting for his job in a lame duck year changing the lines every 5 minutes. I don't know why you guys keep piling on Wilson. Aside from constructing the team he has NOTHING to do with how they play on the ice or WHOM is on the ice. That's up to the coach...

Internally we can fill a lot of those roles too. Sure it's not a proven NHL Vet, but you can get someone who can come in and play. Sometimes you don't know what you have in a prospect until they come in and have a chance to play. Just going off your list:

Starting Goalie: Check.
Top 4 D: Check.
Top 6 RW: None signed. We have a few options internally. Especially if people play off wing.
Bottom Pairing RD: None signed, Tennyson, Demelo, and Mirco will compete for the 6th spot. If Mirco he'll probably be on his offhand.
Bottom 6 Forward: Check.
True 4th line center: I don't understand this one. Ben Smith fills this role.
- IDtheJC

I'm good off building internally for those 3 positions. We've been trying that the past few seasons and I've seen enough. I don't need to see Dillon and Muller struggle together. I don't need to see us rush Goldobin. And I don't need to see Smith try and center our 4th line. If that is DW's plan, I would've much rather saved the money on Martin and Ward.

It's not the difficult to clear some more cap space (Torres, Brown and potentially Wingles) and fill those 3 spots externally. Finding a solid, vet RD to play with Dillon would solidify our D (in front of a 25 year old goalie that's use to playing in front of solid defenses) and would allow Dillon to continue developing. Finding a real "4th line center" would allow Smith to play RW (better suited), it would also allow us to roll two 3rd lines (it's time to eliminate the old, traditional 4th line) and it would give us the depth if Tierney slumps this season the way Hertl and Nieto did last season.

Let Mueller, Goldobin, Goodrow, etc all spend a full season with the Cudas and continue their development while getting to play top line minutes. Plus it will be good for the Cudas to have more success in their first season in SJ with some talented prospects with some name recognition.

You don't need constant offense, just need someone who can create a lil bit of offense & Smith doesn't create any of that as a center. Like i said he's better suited playing RW. We had the same problem with Desi & we'll have the same problem with Smith as the 4th line center. There's a reason why the Hawks played him at wing & did the same with Desi b/c they don't create any offense as a center.
- SJSharks39

Yeah, Unless we drop Tierney down to fourth center we're probably not going to get offense out of any center we get for the fourth line.
- IDtheJC

Trade Wingels sign Fehr to center the 3rd line & Tierney center the 4th line.

LOL! Yeah it clearly wasn't the coach fighting for his job in a lame duck year changing the lines every 5 minutes. I don't know why you guys keep piling on Wilson. Aside from constructing the team he has NOTHING to do with how they play on the ice or WHOM is on the ice. That's up to the coach...
- IDtheJC

I think its "who" is on the ice.

I am glad you you think Wilson is swell, I continue to think he was a first class as*hole for the way he handled the team after it lost to LA. But we can agree to disagree.

a good feeling to be back! #sanjose https://t.co/NuK3ECpAIr

— Julius Bergman (@juliusbergman21) July 5, 2015

Julius Bergman just tweeted from California.

Har det bra Bergman!

Anyone going to the prospect scrimmage on the 9th?

Trade Wingels sign Fehr to center the 3rd line & Tierney center the 4th line.
- SJSharks39

Hate to see Tierney on the fourth line, but the solution would work!

Random thoughts of the day:

1) Why do we think Nieto is a 4th line player? He is better utilized in a top 9 role and at this point i would not mind seeing him as our 2nd line RW. He has played there before and did a decent job. In fact in the playoffs two years ago he was pretty good even strength wise in that role against the Stanley cup champions.

2) If Couture and Marleau had to play against top competition in a defenseive role and struggled, why did we not use thornton and pavs there? Some may use they put up offense argument but in my opinion that line is not great defense wise. I mean they put up a lot of pp points and even strength chances but in the playoffs two years ago against the kings all those extra even strength chances left burns and thornton with 1 point and pavs 4, who played in different roles at times other than first line. Oh and i know Tim hates this stat of +/- but thornton and burns were 3rd and 4th respectively for forwards in corsi yet were -6 and -5 respectively in +/-.

3) Are pk needs help badly, but we were ranked 6th the previous season. What major changes happened to have us slot 19 spots down? From defense we lost stuart, boyle, and demers. To me Martin and dillon should be upgrades. Are forwards were the same other than havlat switching with scott. I think our problem was an internal issue not a talent issue.

I think its "who" is on the ice.

I am glad you you think Wilson is swell, I continue to think he was a first class as*hole for the way he handled the team after it lost to LA. But we can agree to disagree.
- hit 'em

Wilson is hard to get a lock on since the Sharks beat reporters are all either yes men, or first class Arseholes who make up sensationalism headlines. That and he specializes in double talk and vague comments.

But whether Wilson planned this kind of off year to make a transition, or he was compelled to via Plattner, he did a bang up job this offseason.

Plattner's quick unhappy glance at Wilson when he was at the presser saying "EVERYONE knows we need another defenseman or two and a better 4th line", and the fact that for the first time ever, Wilson is using UFA for its intended purpose leads me to think it may have been compelled.

I think its "who" is on the ice.

I am glad you you think Wilson is swell, I continue to think he was a first class as*hole for the way he handled the team after it lost to LA. But we can agree to disagree.
- hit 'em

I think he's one of the best GMs in the NHL. Only one other team in hockey has made the playoffs as consistently as the Sharks in his tenure. That's the red wings of course. It's so easy to be short sighted though, and I feel that's what is happening when everyone bashes Wilson these days.

However, like all the other Wilson bashers on here and abroad. We'll agree to disagree.

a good feeling to be back! #sanjose https://t.co/NuK3ECpAIr

— Julius Bergman (@juliusbergman21) July 5, 2015

Julius Bergman just tweeted from California.

Har det bra Bergman!

Anyone going to the prospect scrimmage on the 9th?
- IDtheJC

I went last year and had a blast but will not be in town this year.

Random thoughts of the day:

1) Why do we think Nieto is a 4th line player? He is better utilized in a top 9 role and at this point i would not mind seeing him as our 2nd line RW. He has played there before and did a decent job. In fact in the playoffs two years ago he was pretty good even strength wise in that role against the Stanley cup champions.

2) If Couture and Marleau had to play against top competition in a defenseive role and struggled, why did we not use thornton and pavs there? Some may use they put up offense argument but in my opinion that line is not great defense wise. I mean they put up a lot of pp points and even strength chances but in the playoffs two years ago against the kings all those extra even strength chances left burns and thornton with 1 point and pavs 4, who played in different roles at times other than first line. Oh and i know Tim hates this stat of +/- but thornton and burns were 3rd and 4th respectively for forwards in corsi yet were -6 and -5 respectively in +/-.

3) Are pk needs help badly, but we were ranked 6th the previous season. What major changes happened to have us slot 19 spots down? From defense we lost stuart, boyle, and demers. To me Martin and dillon should be upgrades. Are forwards were the same other than havlat switching with scott. I think our problem was an internal issue not a talent issue.
- Sharkssince1995

Nieto's a top 9 player, should be the 3rd line LW.........Nieto=possession monster.

Nieto's a top 9 player, should be the 3rd line LW.........Nieto=possession monster.
- SJSharks39

I agree but i have seen people put him as a 4th line LW for whatever reason i have no idea

Random thoughts of the day:

1) Why do we think Nieto is a 4th line player? He is better utilized in a top 9 role and at this point i would not mind seeing him as our 2nd line RW. He has played there before and did a decent job. In fact in the playoffs two years ago he was pretty good even strength wise in that role against the Stanley cup champions.

2) If Couture and Marleau had to play against top competition in a defenseive role and struggled, why did we not use thornton and pavs there? Some may use they put up offense argument but in my opinion that line is not great defense wise. I mean they put up a lot of pp points and even strength chances but in the playoffs two years ago against the kings all those extra even strength chances left burns and thornton with 1 point and pavs 4, who played in different roles at times other than first line. Oh and i know Tim hates this stat of +/- but thornton and burns were 3rd and 4th respectively for forwards in corsi yet were -6 and -5 respectively in +/-.

3) Are pk needs help badly, but we were ranked 6th the previous season. What major changes happened to have us slot 19 spots down? From defense we lost stuart, boyle, and demers. To me Martin and dillon should be upgrades. Are forwards were the same other than havlat switching with scott. I think our problem was an internal issue not a talent issue.
- Sharkssince1995

I was thinking the same thing yesterday. Nieto brings so much speed on a rush that he causes problems for defense. We've all seen him blow by a defender with that second stage speed he has. His major hangup is his shooting %. His ability to finish and snipe goals. You need that in the top 6. He isn't big enough to be like Hertl and just stand in front of the goalie with the defense unable to move him.

Also, I think the issue with our PK was in part Nemo. He wasn't a very good PKer and your goalie has to be your best. I stood up for Nemo every chance I could, but he wasn't good on the PK. However, in regards to the PK for the skaters. The defense just wasn't nearly as good. Even the same players had down years (i.e. Braun). Forwards weren't playing as well defensively. Finally, our PK systems haven't been consistent under McLellan. We're either in the top 6 or in the bottom 6. So it has been really hit or miss historically.

I went last year and had a blast but will not be in town this year.

- Sharkssince1995

I wish I could go, but I'll be in Nashville.

I was thinking the same thing yesterday. Nieto brings so much speed on a rush that he causes problems for defense. We've all seen him blow by a defender with that second stage speed he has. His major hangup is his shooting %. His ability to finish and snipe goals. You need that in the top 6. He isn't big enough to be like Hertl and just stand in front of the goalie with the defense unable to move him.

Also, I think the issue with our PK was in part Nemo. He wasn't a very good PKer and your goalie has to be your best. I stood up for Nemo every chance I could, but he wasn't good on the PK. However, in regards to the PK for the skaters. The defense just wasn't nearly as good. Even the same players had down years (i.e. Braun). Forwards weren't playing as well defensively. Finally, our PK systems haven't been consistent under McLellan. We're either in the top 6 or in the bottom 6. So it has been really hit or miss historically.
- IDtheJC

Great post. Totally agree. Putting him with hertl and couture would be a nightmare for opposing teams in my mind. D men would have to watch for nieto speeding down the side creating a cushion up top for hertl and couture to work off each other. He would retrieve pucks and hertl and couture can get themselves in good scoring position with more time and the puck more.

I do think nemo had issues, the d men were down this year, and McLellan has had inconsistent pks, but also the pk is an all or nothing thing in my mind. You have to be 100 % committed every shift, something the team struggled in.

I wish I could go, but I'll be in Nashville.
- IDtheJC

That sucks. I wish there was a live stream. Its not the most fluid and organized game but its fun to see the young guys show what they got. Also last year there was some hitting going on. Did not expect that.

I think Marleau's problem last year was with the GM not the coach. Same goes for the rest of the team as it watched Wilson sulk in the corner and seemingly deliberately undermine the team.

This summer things feel different. Wilson seems to remember that making the playoffs matters. If the Sharks gel they will be a competitive team and Marleau will be his old self.
- hit 'em

Hit 'em, have you ever posted on other Sharks websites? Your SN looks familiar.