The rumor isn't more Scott Hannan, sadly.
Steve Zipay from Newsday reports that the Rangers have interest in Sharks forward James Sheppard as a cheap depth rental option for a playoff run.
Sheppard’s been, generally, a third line staple for the Sharks this year and has played fairly well within the role. Expectations are higher for Sheppard than they should be. That being said, he isn’t a hard player to replace given how Todd McLellan ices his roster – randomly, with a bingo ball drum. Chris Tierney can replace Sheppard down the middle – or Hertl can slide over and Goodrow can slot back in.
If the Sharks have no desire to bring Sheppard back and there is a draft pick on the table for him, by all means send him out. I’m sure he’d rather play for the Rangers anyway with the state of San Jose right now.
Moving on…
Dan Rosen, of NHL.com, listed his top-15 trade targets this morning, and he has the Sharks as potential suitors for six of the 15 players. Here are the five and my thoughts.
Phil Kessel
It’s highly unlikely Kessel is dealt by the deadline but let’s play pretend anyway. Kessel is going to net a top prospect, a first round pick and a proven roster player that isn’t simply a depth guy. He’s worth a bunch and it’s most likely more than the Sharks are willing to part with. Would it be fantastic for the Sharks to have an offensive talent like Kessel? Absolutely, but it’s a tough deal to make happen and definitely not one the Sharks can make without losing one of their very few future assets. San Jose is at a crossroads right now and the last thing they can afford to do is lose Mueller or Goldobin with a rebuild – whether on the fly or not – potentially looming.
Antoine Vermette
Vermette is a center and a pending UFA who is going to make a hefty salary on his new deal July 1st– both of which the Sharks don’t need. Thornton-Couture are the top six centers right now and Pavelski-Couture will be the top six centers when Joe is gone. Paying $5M-$6M for a third line center is just dumb – not to mention paying for the services of a rental when it looks less likely you are going to make the playoffs.
Dion Phaneuf
Despite what everyone wants you to believe, Phaneuf isn’t an awful defender. He’s a victim of his contract and being in Toronto. He’s still a top four defender and if he comes in a trade with the Leafs eating salary he’s much more desirable. It’s still a tough deal to work out, and one that isn’t for the trade deadline, but it would be worth inquiring as to how much of Phaneuf’s contract the Leafs would be willing to eat – as well as what the cost from San Jose would be. I’d wager Phaneuf would be much better and more relaxed in California and out of the Toronto spotlight.
Tyler Bozak
Bozak is another center, so he’s not of much use to the Sharks – although he is a good third line center – and neither is his $4.2M cap hit. San Jose needs to improve on a few different areas, but centers over $4M isn’t one of them. I was a bit confused when the Sharks showed up as potential suitors for both Bozak and Vermette.
Mike Green
The Capitals have said they aren’t trading Green – and good for them, because they shouldn’t – but even if they were there is no point in the Sharks acquiring him. They have their Mike Green in Brent Burns. The Sharks need an upgrade on defense how the Lightning got it with Anton Stralman. A cheaper (by that I mean less than the $6M+ Green will command), two-way, defender who isn’t puck-moving challenged and plays a steady-Eddie game in his own end.
Jonathan Bernier
I've already stated my thoughts on Bernier a while ago, but I'll reiterate. If he's available the Sharks need to go after him, plain and simple. Don't let the outrage by some Leafs fans and media during a 10-game struggle trick you. Bernier is a solid goaltender and one that could bring the Sharks stability they long for in the crease.
The Sharks are falling out of favor in the West with each passing day and if I had to bet yay or nay on the playoffs for them right now I’d have to go nay. That means acquiring anyone of significance is now off the table. We’re too close to the deadline so the prices will be too high to waste anything on the rights to negotiate with pending UFA’s.
They do have decisions to make about their future and which direction they want to go and hopefully that doesn’t include the GM or coach. This team needs a fresh start in the front office and behind the bench. Thornton and Marleau are here for another two years unless someone gets them drunk and they sign off on waiving their NTC so what the Sharks do between now and then will set themselves up for life after the long-time Sharks – because when they leave, and there is no one in place to step in to replace what they bring, the Sharks are going to be an ugly hockey team.
Thanks for reading.
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