3 Trade Deadline Perfect Fits for the San Jose Sharks

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SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 12: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks battles for position against Jimmy Howard #35 and Jonathan Ericsson #52 of the Detroit Red Wings at SAP Center on March 12, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) /

Jimmy Howard

The San Jose Sharks have been hindered in goal the entire season. They’re recording the leagues worst save percentage at 89.91% at 5v5. The starting net-minder Martin Jones has not been his normal self this year posting the NHL’s second worst GSAA with -17.39 at 5v5, per Corsica.Hockey.

Without a doubt Team Teal’s biggest hurdle this season has been overcoming their lackluster goal-keeping. So it’s extremely impressive that the San Jose Sharks offense has been dynamic enough to carry them through the first 75% of the season. Imagine if this team had a goalie that could at least post league average numbers. The standings would look very different heading into February 25th’s trade deadline.

That is why a trade for the Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard makes perfect sense for the San Jose Sharks. He’s having one of the best seasons of his impressive 13 year career. He’s situated as the league’s 5th best goalie in GSAA at 5v5 with a ridiculous 9.13. Howard’s 93.05 save percentage should make Sharks fan wonder of what could have been if they would have started the season with the veteran goalie.

However there was no way that the Sharks could have known that their traditionally reliable starter Martin Jones would crater this season. Jones has performed better recently saving 0.922% of the shots he has faced in the past 5 games. But this team shouldn’t bet on this continuing into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

In no way should they trade Martin Jones but a goalie tandem with Howard gives this team their best shot at winning. One could argue that this might rattle Jones’ confidence at the wrong time but perhaps some time with Howard mentoring him he can regain his footing. Even though Jones is 29 years old he is still in the beginning stages of his career.

This move would button up the San Jose Sharks most glaring weakness this season but it would probably be very costly. Despite that, a trade for Jimmy Howard would put Team Teal in the upper echelons of the Western Conference.

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