San Jose Sharks Blueline Reportedly Open for Business
By Conor Power
We’ve seen the San Jose Sharks plummet to the bottom of the NHL standings. With the recent moves made by this organization, this is not a shock to anyone. This team is trying to get a better draft pick to bolster the future. That means trying to find fits for some of the players on this roster. With the defense being among the front runners at this time to be shown the door by the front office, it could just be the start.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported today that the Sharks will listen to offers on almost anyone on their blueline. This makes sense for some players like Jan Rutta, who were acquired to offset the cap of Erik Karlsson in the deal that sent him to the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the Sharks still needing future assets, it makes sense to try and move the pending unrestricted free agents.
Friedman then mentions Mario Ferraro by name. Ferraro is by far the best defenseman on the team and is under contract for two seasons after this one. It seemed like he could have been a piece of the core that was still here when the rebuild was concluded in a few seasons, but that doesn’t seem likely right now. With such term, perhaps the front office is hopeful of an overpayment for the 25-year-old Toronto native.
Does this mean the newly acquired Calen Addison could be on the move? If the price is right, you have to consider it. It didn’t take much to get him to the Bay Area and out of the grips of the Minnesota Wild organization. With three years left at $1.1 million, maybe there is a world where he is moved, and the Sharks look to improve on their invested pick into this asset, or maybe he stays through the rebuild.
Matthew Benning is another player that could be considered. He’s got three years left on his deal, so perhaps someone will view the length of his deal as a positive and desire a strong third-pairing defensive option. That’s probably not unreasonable. If that does not come to fruition, the Sharks could keep hold of the player and move forward with him on the roster.
On the Sportsnet report, there was a question raised about Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Could he be moved now that he is playing better? A lot of teams will view Vlasic as a desirable player. Let’s not get this messed up. Vlasic has been a good defensive presence this season to this point. It’s the three years remaining that will see him make $7 million per that isn’t so admired. San Jose could try to retain him to get a deal done, but he has trade protection, too.
Radim Simek is also someone who could be considered. He’s in the AHL with the Barracuda, but he’s an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. Perhaps someone wants a depth defenseman, and the Sharks could retain the amount of money needed to make his cap hit with him in the AHL $0. It might be something to consider.