Welcome to another edition of the Puck Sharks Blog, since we last left off Dan Boyle was shipped to the New York Islanders for a conditional draft pick and the rumor mill surrounding Joe Thornton has begun to swell.
First, Dan Boyle as reported by the San Jose Shark organization has been dealt to New York Islanders for a conditional 4th round draft selection in the 2015 class. If Dan Boyle is signed to a contract by the Islanders the Sharks are given the aforementioned 4th round pick, if he chooses to resign with another team July 1st (as his contract will be up) the Sharks will be given a 5th round pick in the same draft. Its also worth mentioning that the Sharks own an extra 4th round pick in the 2015 draft from a trade that sent forward T.J. Galiardi to the Calgary Flames in exchange for this pick.
My overall feeling of this trade is a positive one for the Sharks, the Sharks get a pick for a pending unrestricted free agent who they had no intention of resigning and stated as such. From the Islanders perspective this seems like an unnecessary gamble, if Boyle chooses not to resign they have given up a 5th round pick essentially for nothing. Boyle was set to become a free agent July 1st and the Islanders could have offered him a contract then. I believe that Garth Snow thinks he can persuade Dan Boyle to resign with the Islanders after seeing the state of their club and the future of the franchise in Brooklyn, but again a 4th round pick seems like a steep price to pay for essentially 1 month of exclusive negotiating time.
The next bit of information surrounding the Sharks includes a rumor about current captain Joe Thornton, The Globe and Mail reports that the Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs have apparent interest in upgrading their center depth.1 While a trade to Anaheim seems highly unlikely given the natural in-division rivalry, the Ducks wealth of defensive and forward prospects make an attractive trade partner at first glance. However it must be stated that the likely hood of the Sharks making the playoffs significantly diminishes if both or even just one of Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are moved this off-season. As devoted as the Sharks fans are, I fear that 2-3 losing seasons of hockey will diminish interest in the sport here in the Bay Area like other larger marks (for example Chicago).
Honestly, the Sharks greatest chance at securing the Stanley Cup is to continue to stay the course with the current roster and change the message from the front office. I feel like Joe Thornton needs to buy more into the fast\aggressive style of hockey the Sharks want to employ by simply shooting the puck more. Now I know the old adage "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" will apply to Jumbo, however I think if the coaching staff explains to him the benefits of shooting a little more will actually make the passing lanes open up a more so he can make that picturesque play he could buy in. In addition I think that applying a little pressure from management on Joe in the form of trade rumors could heat the seat up a little.
Anyway, more articles coming in the off-season discussing the moves and proposals involving the Sharks.
1 Globe and Mail Article plus Toronto Sun Article
Also here is a great resource for Draft Pick Ownership in the NHL
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