Tim Heed Hoping for Bigger Role Next Year with the San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks have decided to commit to Tim Heed for one more year signing the unrestricted free agent to a 1 year 960,00 deal.
After reports came out the San Jose Sharks had extended Timo Meier. News broke that Tim Heed would be returning to the Bay Area for one more season.
Team Teal traded away Justin Braun to create cap-room that was eventually used on Erik Karlsson’s max contract. This opened up a void on the right side in the starting rotation, and the Sharks believe it’s Tim Heed’s time to take the next step.
The 28-year-old defenseman will be entering his 4th season within the San Jose Sharks organization. Over that time he’s compiled 24 points, with of them being goals. He’s been given a few opportunities when other blueliners were sidelined during the his tenure, however he hasn’t really hasn’t gotten a chance to play consistent minutes in the Sharks line-up .
Heed has suited up for a total of 67 NHL games during his time with Team Teal. It would be accurate to say that Tim Heed has never really been given a fair shake when it came to establishing chemistry with a defensive partner, so it’s still technically a gamble by the Sharks front office to commit to Heed in this role.
It’s still undecided who he will be paired up with during the 2019 – 2020 campaign, but whoever it is on the left side will be able to provide Heed with the necessary safety net in order for him to play his riskier style of game when he has the puck inside the offensive zone. All three of the options (Marc-Eduoard Vlasic, Brenden Dillon, and Radim Simek) on the San Jose Sharks have shown that they have ability to back check and negate odd man rushes with skating and positioning.
Finally with an established role available the right-handed Swedish defender can showcase his skills with the puck. Heed’s style of play is sought after in today’s league. His ability to transition the puck through all 3 zones and his offensive upside could be an X-factor for Team Teal next season.
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Heed’s presence in San Jose gives them the option of having a puck savy blueliner on the ice even when Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson need a break. It’ll be fascinating to see how the defensive pairings end up shaking out for Team Teal, but overall fans of Team Teal should feel content with the names the Sharks can trot out on the ice on a nightly basis (at least on the back end).