The only team worse than the San Jose Sharks (3-5-2) in the Western Conference over the last ten games are the Edmonton Oilers (2-7-1). That’s not exactly the type of company you want to be caught in public with.
Until the Sharks play the Flames on Wednesday they will get to watch the rest of the Western Conference play catch-up in games played, which could mean an even further slide down the Western Conference standings.
While we wait for the action to resume, let's play a guessing game filled with questionable ideas.
In the past few days the Sharks have made a minor trade in acquiring Brenden Dillon and placed veteran Adam Burish on waivers, seemingly beginning the winds of change.
The question is: What else is Doug Wilson planning?
In the poll from a few days ago this is what people thought the Sharks needed to do the most right now:
45% of voters said a Major Trade is needed. 24% of voters felt that both Wilson and McLellan required pink slips. 15% of voters wanted at least Todd McLellan fired. 8% of voters thought the team will fix itself. 6% of voters felt the need for a Minor Trade.
With that in mind, let’s talk major trade.
After going 3-5-2 and continuing their slide in the West standing pat is simply not an option. There has to be tires kicked around the league to see if players are available.
The Sharks basement buddies over the last ten, the Edmonton Oilers, are rumored to be interested in trading David Perron. Just how desperate are the Oilers? History would say they’re completely content with another lottery pick, but the fans don’t deserve that kind of effort again. Is there a deal to be made between the Sharks and Oilers?
How about Jeff Petry and David Perron coming to San Jose? The Oilers are interested in getting a top line center back in a Perron deal but, realistically, the entire league knows that’s not a possibility. How quickly they forget they acquired Perron for Paajarvi and a 2nd round pick, not to mention Perron isn't exactly having a great season.
What would the Sharks send back in return? Is this the start of a Joe Thornton trade? Times are tough in San Jose right now and that’s when questionable decisions are made. Even though I’m 100% against trading Joe Thornton right now it would be hard to turn off your ears if the foundation of a deal is being built with Perron and Petry. Sure he's aging, but he cleans up real well.
Of course, this is all random thought and Thornton, hopefully, isn't going anywhere, but Perron and Petry are two players that have been in rumors and the Sharks could use if there’s a deal to be had. It's worth a call to find out a realistic price tag on both players.
Another defender I’d like to see Wilson kick tires on, although he would be tremendously more costly, is Marc Staal.
The 3rd Staal brother is a UFA after this season and the Rangers have a lot of people to pay. I’m aware there’s this media-infused notion that the Staal brothers all want to play with each other, but what if that’s not a reality? Talking to another teams’ player’s is taboo and considered tampering but, let’s be honest, you’re a fool if you don’t think it happens during trade talks involving pending UFA’s, even if the current player’s GM is the “buffer…. Marc Staal would be a huge help on the blue-line in San Jose, but at what cost?
Is the start of this deal one that involves Brent Burns? I’m a Burns fan, don’t get me wrong, but if he can’t get his defensive game shored up and the Sharks don’t intend on putting him back on forward then his best value to the club might be via trade.
There’s nothing out there to suggest that Staal is available but it’s at least worth a phone call to the Rangers as a feeler to find out what the price would be to acquire the defender.
If the Sharks continue to lose games and get a point here and there they will find themselves at a crossroad later in the season and be forced to decide whether they want to make a playoff push or mail it in.
The bottom line is this: Brenden Dillon isn't going to fix the Sharks by himself.
What say you? Who do you think the Sharks should kick tires on and what’s an acceptable deal? Make your deals in the comment section.
Thanks for reading.