Defense has long been a thorn in the side of the San Jose Sharks, and was largely why the team couldn’t make a playoff spot this season. After the draft, though, it seemed things might actually start looking up in terms of defense. However, much of the hope fans had for the growth of defense might’ve just gone out the window, specifically with the acquisition of Darnell Nurse.
While signing big, bad Jacob Trouba is not a bad move, his new contract is not great. Over the course of four years, the club will have to pay Trouba $8.25 million annually. For a 32-year-old defenseman, this not only seems like a lot of money, but also too long term. Having said that, there is some benefit to adding him to the defensive core.
Last year, Trouba showed his value to the Anaheim Ducks where he notched 35 points (10G, 25A) in 81 games played. He is not only durable, he can contribute offensively whether it be making great passes or wiring the puck to the net from the blue line. When he was with the New York Rangers, Trouba’s biggest issue was taking senseless penalties and getting his elbow high. The Ducks, however, seem to have been able to tone this down a bit while not limiting his physicality, a great sign for the more skilled players on the Sharks.
Trouba is also a known leader, wearing a letter for five of his six seasons with the Rangers. He can easily slip into a leadership role, and provide valuable mentoring to the Sharks’ young defensive core. One particular young player who can benefit from Trouba (despite both of them being right-handed defensemen) is human wrecking ball, Eric Pohlkamp. Pohlkamp has all the makings to be a mini and better Trouba 2.0, with his daunting physical play and spectacular vision. In fact, Pohlkamp has such a deadly shot from up high, he has said he was banned from taking one-timers during practice his freshman year at Bemidji State University because his teammates repeatedly got hurt attempting to block the shot.
Alternatively, there genuinely seems to be no real upside to Darnell Nurse. Although Nurse is a year younger than Trouba, you’d never guess watching him play as he skates like he’s 10 years older. Edmonton signed Nurse to a horrendous eight-year, $74 million contract in August 2021, and somehow managed to get the Sharks to retain the entirety of it in this baffling trade. Not only did the Sharks agree to take on this awful (and extremely expensive) contract, the rights to defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin were traded away. While Mukhamadullin has not had a linear path in the league, he has shown immense promise and dedication to improving. Trading him away, especially in a deal like this, not only seems hasty but also poorly thought out.
For a moment after the draft, Sharks fans had hoped the missing pieces of defense that have long caused headaches were starting to fall into place. However, a not-so-great contract and a head-scratchingly bad trade has made fans nervous, especially when the time comes to extend contracts to the young players in the organization.
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