San Jose Sharks: Free Agents Left to Pursue

(Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

The Sharks have been almost invisible in the free agent market so far, even though they have let enough players go to create some cap room. With many of the top free agents signed, the pickings left for General Manager Doug Wilson are slim.

For that reason, I expect the focus of the remainder of the summer to be on trades, covered in my next article. However, as of Tuesday afternoon, there are still some free agents the Sharks could add to improve the team. In order to determine the best choices, it is important to determine the areas of need for the team.
 
San Jose now has seven legitimate starting defencemen, and unless someone is traded, that is plenty of depth. This makes the signing of someone on the blueline unlikely, so only a few will make this list.

However, the Sharks have checking line forwards and a backup goalie that have already been signed away or are unrestricted free agents that do not appear to be coming back. Since relying on multiple young players to step up is probably not wise for a team looking to win now, that will be an area Wilson will likely focus efforts.

An even bigger priority should be addressing the lack of scoring that has been the team’s undoing in the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. While these are the players that tend to cost the most, we can expect Wilson to add at least one player who can generate points.

Bearing that in mind, here are the most likely free agent signings left:

1. Petr Sykora scored the big goal to extend the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, and could work very well on the wing beside Joe Thornton. Because his production fell this season and he is running out of chances to win the Cup, he may also be available for a smaller salary.

2. Mats Sundin would have to agree to sign for a considerable salary cut, but might well be willing to do so to get one more good chance at NHL immortality himself.

3. Depending on how much the Sharks offered Phil Kessel or Travis Zajac, restricted free agents, and thus how much they would have to surrender in compensation, any of these three could be very good signs for them. But much over $3 million and they are giving up a first- and third-round pick; under that probably gets matched by Boston or New Jersey, respectively. I would make a play for at least one of these young scorers, but consider it a longshot for any of them individually to wind up in teal-and-grey.

4. Mike Comrie is a well-traveled player who is not exactly the pure scorer the Sharks need, but is a solid all-around player who is an unrestricted free agent.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?