My favorite part of the summer has come and gone: July 1st. The start of free agency. I woke up feeling like a seven year old on Christmas morning, running downstairs to turn on my laptop.
As per every July 1st, I only awoke to see other teams making a splash in the free agency pool. The Sharks were like that pair of socks I got from my Grandma—you know, it was the gift you had to smile for and say you loved it, but deep down inside, you wanted that really cool toy (in my case, probably a Barbie).
Can’t say I was surprised though, judging by the contracts that were being offered up. Campbell received a $56.8 million/eight year contract from Chicago, Redden got a $39 million/six year contract, and the Sharks are not willing to spend that much money to bring talent to San Jose.
Other teams kept getting better and better, whereas the Sharks still seem to be relying on their core group of players, and hoping and praying that our current roster will improve internally or that there are some players on the market that will be highly effective and cheap.
After the initial shock that swept through my body from seeing the Brian Campbell contract left, thinking that anyone would sign him to a contract that large is a little nutty, I realized that he’d probably be a good fit in Chicago.
I also realized that unless hell decided to freeze over, there was no way that Doug Wilson would offer that type of money to a guy who was great for the Sharks down the stretch, but failed to deliver any substantial goods during the playoffs.
So, am I disappointed that he didn’t re-sign in San Jose? Sure. It makes that trade Wilson made at the trade deadline look terrible. The intention was great, obviously. He tried to make a trade happen in order to improve his team for the playoffs. It’s just sad that it was all for a rental player.
Patrick Rissmiller also decided to leave San Jose and sign a contract with the New York Rangers after being told that he would not be offered a new contract. There’s an over-abundance of guys for the Sharks that can play on the third or fourth lines. It could have gone either way, but San Jose won’t be in dire straits without his services next season.
I’m also a little surprised that Curtis Brown isn’t going to be asked back by the Sharks for next year. Brown is definitely a role player for the team. He’s a veteran fourth line guy who is pretty effective on the penalty kill.
Now, with Torrey Mitchell essentially taking his spot on the penalty kill and that injury last season, management might have not wanted to re-sign him. If it came down to picking between Brown and Goc (who was issued a qualifying offer), I would pick Brown, hands down. That was also not meant to rhyme.
Still, Doug Wilson should be looking for another defenseman because at this moment, our choice of available blue-liners is starting to look a little thin. Now that my favorite players have been taken (Malone to Tampa Bay, Commodore to Columbus), the only way for the Sharks to bring in some new players would be thorugh trade.
I guess time will tell to see what Doug Wilson is able to pull off, but I’m trying not to count him out any time soon. The Sharks do have some things that need to be addressed, and sitting idly by while other teams improve via free agency is not the way to go.
Hopefully the Sharks won’t be giving me socks anytime soon. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
-Danielle
daniellemarchell@yahoo.com
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3 months ago
great article, danielle. i actually don't think they need too much still. true, they lost campbell, but they still have a great team. they just suck in the playoffs for some reason
3 months ago
I'm not so sure I take Brown over Goc. I think Brown has more grit, is a more clutch goal scorer and may be slightly better in the face-off circle, but he has lost a step and his nagging injuries scare me a bit. Goc is a faster skater, better playmaker and still has a bit of upside. Maybe McLellan has bigger plans for Goc's talent than Wilson had (i.e. check, check, check). I also disagree that the deadline trade for Campbell looks terrible now. Working without a huge budget, the way for Wilson to pick up premier talent for a playoff push is through trade and not free agency. If picking up a puck-moving defenseman for a late first-rounder and Bernier fills a void and gives the team a shot in the arm, I say do it. Did it lead to a Cup? No. But it sends the right message and I like the aggressive nature. Plus, it's not like the prospect pool is barren. I'm not expecting a big move in free agency, but a trade for a defender could be in the works before training camp. We'll see, but it's way too early to push the panic button IMO.
from 3 months ago
Goc did not play consistent defense, Brown did. Yes Goc has more upside, but we have been getting sold the "We want to win now" bill of goods, so how is that justified?
As for the trade, it was HORRIBLE, and by the way, I was saying at the time that I liked the intention but they HAD to KNOW they could re-sign him for it to be worth it. We gave up a first round pick AND Steve Bernier, a good young forward (in addition to being a capable scorer, he was leading the team in hits), and I knew that even afterward we were not the best team in the league.
Now we have almost no avenues to replace him. There are only a few guys with enough value to land us a skilled blue liner, each with reasons not to: Joe Thornton (NO WAY!), Patty Marleau (no-trade clause), Nabokov (no way, and no trade clause too), Jonathan Cheechoo (top goal scorer on the team since Joe arrived, and in the league after the All-Star break the last three years, plus he's young), Milan Michalek (speed, scoring, some defense, young), Marc-Eduoard Vlassic (young, steady D-man), Ryan Clowe and Joe Pavelski (young and already look like studs).
3 months ago
great article!
3 months ago
I agree with the building from inside, but I dont understand how this team chooses to build from the inside, avoid free agents signings but not draft until the fourth round. This is why they flop in the playoffs yearly.
3 months ago
Nice article. Your right about Campbell btw. Way too much money for him. Word is Wilson is looking to make a trade for blue line help.
3 months ago
I hate to say it, but I am not upset in the least to see Campbell and Rissmiller go. Especially Campbell.
Curtis Brown, on the other hand, brought maturity and experience to a very young team. He will be missed.
As far as the Sharks not willing to dish out the cash to snag the bigger names, all I have to say is that you get what you pay for (although I LOVE that Evgeni Malkin is willing to take a smaller salary to ensure that last year's roster players get the money they want and remain on the team).
Meh. Go Sharks?
from 3 months ago
I was not sold on Campbell, and even recommended the team let him go earlier this summer. But you can't let your best player go and not get someone else to upgrade the unit that continually costs you in the playoffs. The Ducks and Wings have the two best blue lines, and who won the last two championships? That was more than anything the reason I have been blowing the "Trade Marleau" horn.
3 months ago
The blue line is thinner now than it was a year ago. Defensively, the team is much worse than a year ago when you consider Brownie's contribution to the PK. All the top free agent defensemen have gone (and, boy, I would have loved to see Mike Commodore in teal) and none are coming here. It's gonna be another early exit next playoffs...
3 months ago
I would love to see Mats sundin go to San Jose he would bring some help onto the powerplay and bring some speed and depth to center position and they should get a Dman in the free agencey speakin of which Ron hannessy would be a great fit but already got signed...San Jose should have acted quicker in these first two days.
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