General Draft Stuff
We’re down to two weeks before the 2015 NHL Draft. Exciting times. Here’s what you need to know for the Sharks heading into it.
The Sharks hold 8 picks as of today. They’ll select twice in rounds five and seven and lack a pick in the third round.
Doug Wilson has already said he won’t trade the first round pick – which rules out trading down should Werenski/Provorov both be off the board.
Sticking with that, if both of those defenders are gone it’s likely the Sharks are going to draft a forward. At pick nine, the best player available won’t be a defender if Werenski and Provorov have already been selected – so brace yourselves if you’re praying for a defender.
Now, in saying all that, if someone called Doug Wilson with an offer he couldn’t refuse for the ninth overall pick then of course he could move down.
In the second round I’d wager a guess the Sharks go opposite the first round. If they end up taking a forward it’s almost a guarantee they’ll draft a defender in the second round. The prospect pool on defense is razor thin looking to the future. A case could be made to draft Blackwood or Samsonov in goal if they’re still around, but I don’t think they will be.
Looking closer at players for the Sharks to grab in rounds one and two is for another day, so we’ll move along.
Draft Day Trades
It’s always possible that the Sharks engage in some player movement on the draft floor.
Constantly linked to Craig Anderson over the last few weeks, the Sharks could look to acquire a goaltender at this draft. Without a third round pick that, likely, means San Jose would be forking over a 2nd instead of a 3rd and an average young player.
There’s really no wiggle room for negotiating a goalie deal for the Sharks. It starts with a second round pick – worth noting the Sharks have no 3rd in 2016 to bail them out as well.
The best scenario for a draft day deal involving a second rounder would be to send Colorado’s 2nd the other way.
As for making any trades and retaining salary, it’s not an option.
Already paying $1.19M of Jason Demers salary, Doug Wilson retained $100K on James Sheppard and 50% of Andrew Desjardins’ contract. The maximum retained salary count is three and Sheppard/Desjardins won’t be off the books until July 1st.
Free Agent Legal Tampering Window
Teams can talk to pending free agents starting June 25th.
Should mention that the interview period for free agents to talk to other teams begins June 25. Can't sign with other teams until July 1
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) June 11, 2015The Sharks are likely to talk to players like Devan Dubnyk, Michal Neuvirth, Christian Ehrhoff, Paul Martin, Andrej Sekera, Cody Franson…basically any top four defenders and goaltenders.
I’d just walk away from Dubnyk if I were the Sharks. He’s going to want a big payday after putting the Wild on his back and putting up Vezina caliber numbers. Maybe he’s worth it, but prior to his time in Minnesota he wasn’t worth anything close to what he’s about to get paid. It’s a big risk.
Do they need to strengthen the depth of the forward group? Absolutely, but the pressing needs are from the blueline back.
Thanks for reading.