San Jose Sharks Free Agency: J.P. Dumont, Chris Drury Are Real Possibilities

By (Featured Columnist) on July 11, 2011

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ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 05:  J.P. Dumont #71 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center on January 5, 2011 in Anaheim, California.  (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Jeff Gross/Getty Images

It is hard to say what kind of an offseason the San Jose Sharks are having. Active would be a nice way to put it. However, the second word to describe it is a matter of opinion.

Is it bold? Confident? Stupid?

Has Sharks GM Doug Wilson shot his team in the foot, or is he just a genius?

The answers to these questions will come sooner than we think.

Are the Sharks done dealing, though?

Some reports have the team linked to the Washington Capitals' Alexander Semin, among many others.

However, we know San Jose will be making more moves. Maybe they are not of the significant type, but the Sharks' lines are incomplete.

David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News wrote in his Working the Corners blog that he thinks the Sharks are leaning towards the lines breaking down like this:

Marleau-Thornton-Pavelski

Clowe-Couture-Havlat

 

The third and fourth lines seem to be a mix-and-match at the moment, with Torrey Mitchell, Jamie McGinn and Michael Handzus headlining. But it is hard to believe that Wilson will leave it that way.

It seems to be an overall consensus that the Sharks need a veteran winger to go either on the third or fourth line and help with the young core San Jose has.

Currently, the top five free agent forwards still available are Teemu Selanne, Vinny Prospal, Brendan Morrison, J.P. Dumont and John Madden.

However, three players jump out as real possibilities in San Jose.

J.P. Dumont

SAN JOSE, CA - FEBRUARY 09:  J.P. Dumont #71 of the Nashville Predators centers the puck past Christian Ehrhoff #10 of the San Jose Sharks during the second period of the NHL game at HP Pavilion on February 9, 2008 in San Jose, California.  (Photo by Chri
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Dumont was bought out by his former team, the Nashville Predators, last month and is looking for a home with a winning franchise.

The Sharks qualify for that one, and for the right price, San Jose would appreciate Dumont.

After putting up seasons of 65 and 45 points, the 33-year-old posted just 19 points in 70 games last season.

The winger would do well in the locker room by bringing a veteran presence, as well as benefiting from players like Mitchell or Couture, who he might play with.

Although he had a down season last year, the Sharks would hope to get the 65-point Dumont that he was a couple seasons ago.

Chris Drury

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 17:  Chris Drury #23 of the New York Rangers skates against Mike Knuble #22 of the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 17
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Drury fits every part that the Sharks need. They need a veteran forward with good ability to fit on the third or fourth lines.

Despite just five points in 24 games last season, the 35-year-old could benefit from playing with young and talented players, as well as fitting into the locker room atmosphere.

Drury was bought out by the New York Rangers after his failed season, but could be looking for a fresh start or end to his career.

This is a real possibility in San Jose.

Kyle Wellwood

VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 24:  Kyle Wellwood #20 of the San Jose Sharks skates around the net in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Vancouver Canucks during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena on May 24, 2011 in Vancouver, Brit
Harry How/Getty Images

It is Day 11 of NHL Free Agency, and no team has taken a gamble on Kyle Wellwood yet.

The 28-year-old fit well with the Sharks after being picked up by San Jose late in the 2010-11 season. He was a very valuable piece in both the Kings and Red Wings series, and is looking to sign with a team in free agency after the Sharks let him walk.

If San Jose could re-sign him, he could fit very well on a line with Torrey Mitchell or Michael Handzus.

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