Today, we look at the best number 21 in San Jose Sharks history. To be honest, this was an extremely difficult choice to make because there were not a lot of good players who wore the number 21. So I have a difficult decision on my hands.
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Scotty Nichol was never the type of player to put up the points that’ll make your head turn; but he was the prototypical defensive forward. He was always there with a clutch defensive faceoff or penalty kill. He was only in San Jose for two years, but he was often called upon to make a great play while on the roster.
TJ Galiardi is an interesting player to think about. He was acquired at the trade deadline with Daniel Winnik for Jamie McGinn, which might be, and in my opinion is, the worst trade in Sharks history. To make matters worse, he failed to produce the way the Sharks wanted him. Then he changed sweater numbers to 21. Halfway through the lockout season, Galiardi really turned his game around. His effort went up and so did his point production.
My decision is Scott Nichol. Galiardi and Nichol both put up about the same number of points, but Scott Nichol was a much more useful player. Not to mention Galiardi had the benefit of playing with Joe Thornton, capitalizing on his assists.
Almost 20 days until hockey season. Can’t get here soon enough.