The Sharks may not have partaken in the suggested rebuild that GM Doug Wilson so emotionally mentioned earlier in the summer but they are heading into an evaluation year.
Cap Geek has 45 players under contract for the San Jose Sharks and of those 45 players there are 24 who lack a contract that extends beyond the 2014-2015 season, including 16 of 22 non-roster players. Training camp may not just be about making the NHL roster this year for a lot of players, it could simply be about earning another look beyond the current campaign.
There are several players in the system that are projected to get a shot at the NHL at some point or another (Tierney, Abeltshauser, Doherty, Tennyson, Tarasov, Goldobin (if he ever signs), DeMelo), but those will be subject to positional availability. There aren’t many roster spots up for grabs if the Sharks end up keeping Marleau/Thornton so it should be a dog fight all season for the 16 non-roster players to prove that they deserve a shot when an opportunity comes knocking.
For the main roster, there are eight players who will be due new contracts after the 2014-2015 season. The forward group features four players that will need to give Doug Wilson a reason to bring them back. The defense should already have a good idea of their fate and the goaltender might be on a road to nowhere in the Sharks organization.
Here’s a quick look at the 8 roster players that have expiring deals after this year:
Tyler Kennedy ($2.3M)
Kennedy could find himself out of a job before the season even turns into 2015. He spent the better part of last season in the doghouse and will need to find the form he had with the Penguins if he wants to get quality ice-time. Even with an excellent season Kennedy will most likely become a UFA after this season with Freddie Hamilton looking to make the jump sooner than later as a regular.
James Sheppard ($1.3M)
For whatever reason, James Sheppard never found his game at the NHL level as expected. Sheppard has, with the Sharks, found a smoother transition on the third line. He has developed a more physical side to his game and, if he can get his shot percentage up, still has offensive upside as a checking line player. Sheppard should be on the bubble again this year and, much like 2013/14, what the Sharks do roster-wise will be key for his return.
Andrew Desjardins ($750K)
Desjardins is a durable scrapper who can file in 15-20 points a season playing 10-11 minutes. He’s a player who never stops working and provides stability on the fourth line at a nice, cheap rate. If the Sharks ever intend to build an effective rolling four line roster Desjardins could be a key piece at the bottom.
John Scott ($750K)
Here’s hoping that this is a trial that won’t make it out of the lab. It pains me to even type his name.
Justin Braun ($1.25M)
Braun has played himself into a staple in the Sharks lineup. A shot blocking machine, Braun also enjoyed a +19 rating last year for the Sharks. He has a bright future in the Sharks organization and will most definitely be extended.
Scott Hannan ($1M)
The aging defender will most likely need to find a new home after the 2014-2015 season, and I’d guess that the feeling will be a mutual one. You can only sit in the press box so many times at 35+ before it’s time to move on.
Matt Irwin ($1M)
Irwin figures to benefit from the departure of Dan Boyle so he will be given every opportunity to earn a raise he already deserves. He had solid season last year and will be looking to build off of that heading into this season with increased responsibility. Irwin should join Braun in the likely to be extended category.
Antti Niemi ($3.8M)
Time is running out for Niemi in San Jose and I’m not so sure even a great season can save him. Alex Stalock is knocking on the door and will be given a chance to take the number one spot away during the season. Niemi will probably be looking for a raise on his current $3.8M salary given his workload and win/loss record during his time in San Jose, and that’s likely not in the plans for Sharks management. There are suitable split-time goaltenders for a cheaper price to replace Niemi if Stalock doesn’t prove 100% to be ready to take over.
In conclusion, Irwin and Braun should be the only locks to get extended but I’d like to see Desjardins back on the fourth line beyond this season. If that’s the case then the Sharks will free up a few roster spots to mix in some younger players with more regular roles.
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