Jan 21, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing James Sheppard (15) skates with the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. The Sharks won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
San Jose Sharks forward James Sheppard was traded to the New York Rangers on Sunday night in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
#SJSharks acquire a 2016 4th round draft selection from the @NYRangers in exchange for forward James Sheppard.
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 2, 2015
Sheppard, 26, had five goals and 11 assists in 57 games with the Sharks this season, but was a minus-three overall. Sheppard bounced around the bottom-six forward group with San Jose and had settled into the third line center role, even though his best position was on the wing.
General Manager Doug Wilson said part of the reasoning behind the move was to allow second-year forward Tomas Hertl to move back to the center position, most likely on the third line. Hertl has 24 points (10 goals and 14 assists) in 63 games this year.
Doug Wilson: "It's an opportunity to add to our assets & it's an opportunity to get Tomas Hertl back at the center position." #SJSharks
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 2, 2015
The Sheppard trade, along with the earlier news that the Sharks had placed forward Tye McGinn on waivers, clears up room for young players to compete for playing time on the Sharks’ third and fourth lines.
Sheppard, who was originally drafted ninth overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2006, appeared in 174 games for the Sharks, including 24 playoff games. He scored 10 goals and 30 assists during his tenure in San Jose, and added two goals and four assists during the playoffs. He was acquired by the Sharks from the Wild in August of 2011 for a third round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft.