NHL Trade Deadline: 5 Potential Targets for the San Jose Sharks

Earlier this week, I published an article stating that the San Jose Sharks would be better off sticking with the roster they have as opposed to giving up valuable assets for a trade-deadline acquisition. Their prospect pool is bare, they need their draft picks, and their injured key players are set to return to the lineup soon. 

I'm confident that the Sharks will be able to bounce back from their recent slump and regain the third seed in the Western Conference as the top team in the Pacific Division without making any transactions. 

However, I'm not so sure general manager Doug Wilson feels the same way. He often makes depth moves at the trade deadline and is always active in pursuing star players when available (in this case, Rick Nash). On top of that, his team is playing very poorly at the moment and he might feel that a shakeup is necessary.

For these reasons, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Sharks be active between now and Monday's 3 PM EST trade deadline.   

Here are five players that could help put San Jose back on track and ready for another deep playoff run. 

Nikolai Kulemin

This 25-year-old winger is having a down year for the Toronto Maple Leafs but has all the tools needed to be a solid second-line scorer.

He notched a career-high 57 points last season, including an impressive 30 goals. 

Kulemin provides grit, speed, secondary scoring and physicality, and would fit in nicely on one of San Jose's top three lines. If he is available, which is unknown at this point, he would make a fine addition to the Sharks' forward ranks. 

Andrei Kostitsyn

Another versatile winger struggling to produce this season, Andrei Kostitsyn's status as a soon-to-be unrestricted free agent would make him a low-cost, low-risk addition to San Jose's lineup. 

He has just 24 points in 53 games for the Montreal Canadiens this year and has spent significant time on their fourth line, rendering him an expendable piece on their forward ranks. 

Kostitsyn is big, can skate and, despite having just 12 goals on the season, can contribute offensively. He netted 26 goals in 2007-08 and has reached the 20-goal benchmark three times in his career.

His reputation as a soft, underachieving whiner may rub Doug Wilson the wrong way, but if he can look past Kostitsyn's alleged character issues, the winger could be a valuable addition to the Sharks' top six.   

Rick Nash

The price tag on star winger Rick Nash is massive and the odds of the Sharks landing him are likely very slim. Still, there's no denying that the power forward would be a terrific addition, especially considering his close friendship with Sharks captain Joe Thornton. 

Nash, 27, has scored 40 goals twice in his career and has surpassed the 30-goal mark six times. In 62 games with the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets this year, he has 21 goals and 22 assists. 

He's undoubtedly an elite player and one of the NHL's most versatile wingers. Assuming he could be had without giving up young stars Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski or Marc-Edouard Vlasic—which is a huge assumption—Nash would likely transform the Sharks from Cup contenders to Cup favorites.

I don't see this one happening, though. Columbus GM Scott Howson would want a young roster player, two top prospects and a first-round pick at the very least.

An example of what that package would look like for the Sharks? Try Logan Couture, prospects Taylor Doherty and Alex Stalock, and a first-rounder.  

James van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk possesses a rare blend of size, speed and skill that makes him both a highly unique and very valuable player.

He scored seven goals in 11 playoff games last year and registered 40 points in 75 games during the regular season. 

Given his young age and high ceiling, it's unlikely that the Philadelphia Flyers are looking to trade the 22-year-old forward. If by chance they are listening to offers, though, Doug Wilson would be a fool not to give Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren a call.

The price would be high, but it may be worth paying for such a talented young player oozing potential. 

R.J. Umberger

Another of the Columbus Blue Jackets' top forwards, R.J. Umberger is perhaps the most realistic acquisition of the five players on this list.

He isn't producing at a very high level this season, with just 25 points in 57 games, but he's coming off a career year of 25 goals and 32 assists. 

Umberger's two-way game and leadership qualities make him an attractive target for any playoff team. He can step in and contribute on any line and play a key role on the penalty kill.

At 29 years old, he also provides a veteran presence that becomes increasingly valuable during the postseason. 

Sam Kelly is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @samkelly10.