Blades of Teal
Fansided

San Jose Sharks Trade Targets: The Five Most Realistic Fits

By Steve Fishman

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 15: Referee Brad Watson shakes hands with Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers after working his final game at Madison Square Garden following the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 15, 2019 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 6-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 15: Referee Brad Watson shakes hands with Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers after working his final game at Madison Square Garden following the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 15, 2019 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 6-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 8
Next
San Jose Sharks
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 20: Detroit Red Wings Left Wing Thomas Vanek (26) celebrates after scoring a goal during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on January 20, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 3-2. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Thomas Vanek – Left Wing/Center, Detroit Red Wings

Ol’ reliable Thomas Vanek. I know, not exactly the sexiest player here. Not really even the sexiest player on his own team in this very slideshow. But I do think he’s a better deal for the San Jose Sharks than his teammate Gustav Nyquist. Granted, Vanek along with Nyquist have No Trade Clauses in their contracts, but I think they’d both waive them for the right team.

Vanek, despite being 35, still has a lot left in the tank. He had 56 points last season with Vancouver and Columbus respectively, and did what he does best, which is score goals. As the Austrian Winger had 27 goals between the two teams.

His production is down a bit this season but that could be due to the horrible Detroit Red Wings team he currently plays on. But make no mistake, he can still add secondary scoring and could absolutely help a team like the San Jose Sharks looking for a prize at the flea market.

Vanek, as of the all-star break only has 10 goals and 23 points on the year. But he’s still averaging just 0.8 G/60 which isn’t the worst in the world and he’s shooting at a 17% clip. He has a 46.9% CF% but again, this could be chalked up to a line Centered by Frans Nielsen who also hasn’t been good.  Vanek lately has been centering his line in Detroit with Nielsen and Mantha, and Vanek isn’t a natural center, so that could be part of his so-called demise.

Vanek can be had for cheaper than Nyquist, and could be and excellent right handed shot option on a line with Hertl or Thornton, or even on the top line with Couture at times. And, with the San Jose Sharks, Vanek can focus on doing what he does best, score goals.

Home/Rumors