Unless the Sharks go on a bad stretch heading into February where they're just doubtful to make the playoffs, I don't see them selling off since I think they're committed to making it back to the playoffs this year. If they're really not looking like they'll make it, then I see them shipping off any combination of Bonino, Cogliano, Nieto, Reimer, Hill, Labanc, Barabanov, Balcers, Middleton, or Simek.
I also absolutely don't see them mortgaging anything substantial for a rental regardless of any situation.
What I think they should do and hopefully will do is make a run for a 3rd line center since I think that's the biggest hole on this team and it's one that can be filled without going after a top-6 guy who'll cost a fortune. Hopefully it'll be someone who has enough offensive competency to make a solid 3rd line with Labanc (once he gets back from in March/early April) and Baclers/Dahlen.
Here are some candidates for a good 3rd line center fit with the team after considering:
1) the cost it'll take to acquire them,
2) the term on their current deal, as ideally they'll have 2-3 years on their deal so their contract carries into next season but also expires soon enough for Bordeleau/Robins or maybe even Eklund to take that role soon,
3) their cap hit so that their cap doesn't go over 3.5ish mil so that SJ can still be able to resign Hertl in the offseason,
4) their level of play -- particularly offensively -- since SJ of course doesn't want to just bring in a mediocre guy -- they can just replace that level of play with Weatherby,
5) their likeliness to be traded so obviously I won't include players like Pius Suter or Barbashev who've been doing great on their teams and whose teams will want to keep them and will be able to keep them cap-wise.
Here are the 4 candidates who I see who fit this description:
- ALEX KERFOOT
Though they'll be competing for a cup, I can see Toronto parting ways with Kerfoot either in the deadline or the offseason. Toronto's cap situation, particularly if they go after a key piece, might spell the end of Kerfoot's time as a Leaf, who they also left unprotected in the draft for what it's worth. My ideal trade target if I'm DW.
- ALEX WENNGERG
Seattle's not going to the playoffs this year and starting off a franchise with draft ammunition isn't a bad thing at all. Pro: could play as a solid 3C or even fill in as a 2C. Con: 4.5mil cap hit is a little bloated for what he brings (ideally SEA can retain 1mil).
- FILIP CHYTIL
Just not doing well in NY for whatever reason. I could see him doing fine as a 3C in SJ though with a change of scenery as a very young guy who would be worth the risk to go after IMO. Also, Hertl wants more Czechs so Merry Christmas Tomas.
- ZEMGUS GIRGENSONS
Underrated guy who could find one of his few countrymen in the NHL Rudolf Balcers as a linemate. Pro: only a 2.2mil cap hit. Con: better suited on the wing and/or on the 4th line, though he could potentially do well as a 3C.
Honestly don’t think the sharks should trade a 2nd for any of them. Their picks are more important to the long term success of the franchise at this point.
I don't think the fit with Kerfoot is there. He's a better winger than he is a center (not that he can't play C) and while it's true the Leafs left him exposed in the XD, they had insulated themselves against losing him. His versatility makes him a pretty useful piece on the team and he's found a nice fit next to JT and Nylander. It's possible in the offseason I suppose, if it comes to that for the Leafs, but I don't see it at the deadline.
Sharks are content with Hertl-Couture-Bonino-Weatherby down the middle, what they need is more scoring wingers.
Bonino works terrific as a purely defensive 4C capable of playing more minutes on a line with Cogliano and Nieto -- not as a 3C.
Weatherby has been pretty bad for a good long while now. He really couldn't hold his own on the 3rd line when given the opportunity or even 4th line when they bump up Bonino's defensive line to the 3rd. What he needs is to go back down and get some more serious minutes down in the AHL after this NHL experience and see if some seasoning down there helps his development.
A competent 3C will help with the lack of scoring wingers problem the team has. Most notably, it'll help Labanc bounce-back into form. And Gregor's been great -- he's just been soooooooooooooooo snakebit it's ridiculous.
Bonino works terrific as a purely defensive 4C capable of playing more minutes on a line with Cogliano and Nieto -- not as a 3C.
Weatherby has been pretty bad for a good long while now. He really couldn't hold his own on the 3rd line when given the opportunity or even 4th line when they bump up Bonino's defensive line to the 3rd. What he needs is to go back down and get some more serious minutes down in the AHL after this NHL experience and see if some seasoning down there helps his development.
A competent 3C will help with the lack of scoring wingers problem the team has. Most notably, it'll help Labanc bounce-back into form. And Gregor's been great -- he's just been soooooooooooooooo snakebit it's ridiculous.
Gregor will start to find the net, and if they had a better C for him that didn’t wiff at his passes he would have 5-6 more assists, and a few more goals maybe with some better passes. Labanc needs a competent C to help him reach his abilities. Labanc is not a guy who can lead a line he needs to be a nice piece on a solid line.
and i would prefer a 3C on a 1-2 year deal so Bordeleau can be our 3C in 23/24
but i love the thought you put in here and the reasoning. all are sound and legit and appreciate posts like these!
Of these four candidates, I feel Wennberg would be the best fit. His cap hit is excessive, but his strengths in generating plays and puck possession would fill a need for our depth lines. Seattle wasn't playing to his strengths anyway (Hakstol assumed he'd be a goal scorer than the playmaker he is), and they are in need of scoring wingers so trading Labanc for Wennberg would be ideal for both sides.
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