San Jose Sharks: Seven Unrestricted Free Agents Who Got Away

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The former Shark, similar to Knuble, was everything the Sharks needed—a right-handed winger with a knack for finding the back of the net and an ability to be an asset on both ends of the ice.

What he lacks in leadership in comparison to the other Mike, he makes up for in championship pedigree. He would have been ideal to pair with Jumbo.

The Sharks have plenty of good centres, and even fair well in the two areas Pahlsson would have helped the most: penalty killing and faceoffs.

However, the team looks like they will be losing a player who fills both roles in Marcel Goc, and Pahlsson would have been an affordable upgrade—being a capable offensive player, as well.

Moreover, he brings one thing the Sharks sorely lack to the table: Stanley Cup success. In fact, he led the famous "orange line" of the Anaheim Ducks that dominated Ottawa’s line of Heatley-Spezza-Alfredsson—that many regarded as the best in hockey—in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals on both ends of the ice.

6. John Madden (signed with Blackhawks)

Madden is a perennial Selkie Trophy finalist as the best defensive forward in the league. He would help to not only upgrade the third line, but special teams—he is a penalty killer extraordinaire. He also has the championship pedigree the Sharks desperately need.

Laperriere is one of my favourite players because of his mental and physical toughness.

He is also what Jody Shelley is not as an enforcer—one of the best leaders on the ice in the game, having some offensive skills, and a more intimidating hitter who actually wins his fights. He would be a welcome addition to not only the checking lines and the locker room, but also the penalty kill.

There are other players the Sharks could have benefited from—but not others I would have been hot after. For instance, Mike Cammalleri is a scorer, but not good enough defensively and lacking in playoff experience.

Brian Gionta would have provided the right-handed scorer with championship experience. But his diminuative stature would mean that he does not provide the type of scorer the Sharks most need—one who can bang with defencemen in front of the net for rebounds.

There are also additional players the Sharks should continue to pursue, whether through free agency or trade. There will be articles featuring a look at both of these options coming up.

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