If the NHL playoffs began today the San Jose Sharks would be on the outside looking in as the 10th seed in the Western Conference. They have 24 points, which is three points back of the Winnipeg Jets for the final two postseason spot. Many felt the Sharks would have already been blown up following last year’s collapse. They were up 3-0 against in the first round against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings and then lost four straight. While management promised big offseason changes, they retained head coach Todd McLellan and kept the roster largely intact. However, there is bound to be changes made if they don’t turn things around in a hurry.
There are certainly plenty of quality pieces on the San Jose roster should they choose to make major changes. Here are the three most likely pieces that will be moved.
Patrick Marleau
It’s important to note that San Jose has more than $7 million in cap space available. If they decide that the best course of action is to add to their roster, they can move draft picks and prospects to upgrade their current talent level. That said, if they are forced to move pieces from their current roster it wouldn’t be a surprise if Marleau was traded. Locked in at an average cap hit of $6.6 million over the next three years, Marleau has just six goals through 24 games and is a big part of the Sharks offensive struggles. They have averaged just 2.5 goals per game this season. Perhaps most concerning is the fact that Marleau has been a traditionally fast starter and head coach Todd McLellan didn’t mince words when he called him out for his lack of production earlier this week. At 35 years old, Marleau’s best days might be behind him but there are still teams that will consider him a valuable trade piece based on his resume and experience. San Jose could move him for a younger, less experienced winger that has a higher offensive potential and is available at a cheaper average cap hit.
Antti Niemi
Niemi has a Stanley Cup on his resume from his days with the Chicago Blackhawks but there is only so many times that experts can bring that up when defending his position as the Sharks No. 1 goalie. The reality is that Niemi hasn’t proven to be elite in the playoffs and his average cap hit of nearly $4 million is probably more than San Jose can afford for a player that might not even be the best goalie on their roster. Alex Stalock registered a better goals-against average and save percentage last year and his numbers are better early on this season too despite being sidelined by a knee injury. It might only be a matter of time before they turn to the 27-year-old as the full-time starter. The Sharks could net a quality return for an experienced goalie like Niemi and now might be the time to capitalize while he’s still worth something.
Tomas Hertl
Joe Thornton leads San Jose at a point per game pace while Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski appear to be the 1-2 punch down the middle that represents the future for this team, so it’s unlikely any of those three players will be moved. The Sharks already traded Jason Demers and a draft pick to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Brenden Dillon, so it’s unlikely they will move another defenceman. But they could have a tough decision to make with their young forward prospects that aren’t getting the job done. Hertl and Matt Nieto are two players that haven’t played to the level of increased expectations early on this year and either one could be moved as part of a package for an offensively skilled forward that is more prepared to contribute right away. Hertl is the bigger name right now and he might be the player a potential trade partner covets in return for a veteran top-six forward.
