Monday afternoon February 26.
The San Jose Sharks were jetting back to northern California from Chicago when their fortunes changed for the better. Sharks GM had just added elite power forward Evander Kane to his team's impressive roster. Wilson traded prospect forward Danny O'Regan and two conditional draft picks to Buffalo in exchange for Kane.
For two months leading up to the NHL trade deadline, Wilson and his Sharks scouting team scoured the NHL in search of a scoring power forward who was proficient at playing the fast, physical, in your face style that Pete DeBoer's Sharks have become known for. Wilson and DeBoer are thrilled that no other NHL teams were willing to make legit trade offers to Buffalo for Kane. Rather than bite on a low-ball offer, Sabres GM Jason Botterill waited patiently and received fair compensation for Kane. If Kane, a pending UFA, decides to re-sign with San Jose in July, then Buffalo will recieve San Jose's first round pick in 2019.
By adding Kane, the Sharks addressed their even strength goal scoring issues. In 61 games with the Buffalo Sabres this season, Kane, 26, scored 20 goals and 20 assists. Kane's 17 even strength goals and three shorthanded goals made him the object of Wilson's desire.
One week before adding Kane, the Sharks also added 32 year old grinding forward Eric Fehr for a 2020 seventh round draft choice. Fehr adds size, snarl and skill to San Jose's fourth line.
In his six games played with the Sharks, Kane hasn't disappointed. He brought a goal and five assists into the Edmonton game on Wednesday night. All of Kane's six points have come at even strength. Kane has found perfect chemistry with his former KHL teammate Joe Pavelski and winger Joonas Donskoi. All told, the Kane-Pavelski-Donskoi trio has erupted for 22 points in the six game that they have been playing together. Pavelski has three goals and six assists during the scoring streak.
Adding Kane and Fehr to their group has allowed the Sharks to grab second place in the Pacific Division. The Sharks are going to be a tougher team to play against in the playoffs now that Kane and Fehr are on board.
Here's a cool behind-the-scenes glimpse at how Kane and Fehr are seamlessly fitting into the Sharks' leadership group. I like that Jumbo Joe Thornton allowed the camera crew to record the moments after Kane's flight from Buffalo landed in San Jose. Thornton picked up Kane and brought the new kid in town back to his house.
Thanks, Sharks