San Jose Sharks Graded Out Well In Offseason Moves
Jan 17, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Joel Ward (42) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Capitals 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier this week, the San Jose Sharks were identified as one team that was poised for a return to the postseason after their work to improve this offseason. It’s a positive sign that the Sharks are seen as a team talented enough to return to the playoffs, but how did their offseason grade out compared with the rest of the Pacific Division?
According to Craig Custance of ESPN, San Jose and general manager Doug Wilson received a “B” for turning the Sharks around into a team that should be back in contention mode after spending last year in a rebuilding phase.
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One of the key signings Custance highlights is the acquisition of Joel Ward. Ward returns to the Western Conference after spending the past four seasons with the Washington Capitals. Ward is a physical, gritty player who will bring another veteran presence up front who should help provide depth as he can play anywhere within the Sharks’ forward groupings. Here’s what Custance had to say about Ward heading to the West Coast:
"Joel Ward’s return to the Western Conference is a great fit in San Jose and Sharks fans will love him. He’s a player with a history of producing in the playoffs — an important distinction in San Jose."
As Custance references, Ward is known as a playoff contributor which should help a San Jose team that has relied too heavily upon their top players come postseason time. In 53 career playoff games, Ward has posted 14 goals and 21 assists, with a plus-eight rating and three game-winning goals.
Also, Custance lauds the signing of Paul Martin who, like Ward, should provide a veteran, stabilizing presence on the back end for the Sharks. While Martin isn’t flashy, he’s a reliable player who should help offset the unpredictability that Brent Burns offers.
The biggest reason this grade isn’t higher is the high price Wilson paid to acquire Martin Jones from the Boston Bruins. Jones has plenty of potential, but it’s still a high-priced gamble by the Sharks as Jones has only played in 34 career NHL games.
San Jose placed in the middle of the pack when looking at the Sharks offseason in comparison with the rest of the Pacific Division. With the moves by some of the other teams, the Pacific should be interesting to watch as the Sharks look to get back into playoffs next spring.
Here’s a look at how Custance graded out the rest of the division:
– Anaheim Ducks: B
– Arizona Coyotes: C
– Calgary Flames: A-
– Edmonton Oilers: A
– Los Angeles Kings: Inc.
– Vancouver Canucks: C-
Needless to say, the Pacific Division won’t provide an easy path to the playoffs for the Sharks with the offseason moves other teams have made, but San Jose has enough veterans and talented young pieces to once again challenge for the division title.