San Jose Sharks Sign Colin White: Could a Trade Be on the Horizon?

Rugged rearguard Colin White, who was bought out by the New Jersey Devils earlier this week, has just signed a one year, $1 million contract with the San Jose Sharks.

The Sharks now have eight defensemen signed to one-way contracts, six of which are capable of playing top four minutes (Boyle, Murray, Burns, Vlasic, White, Demers).

This begs the question: could one of San Jose's blueliners be on the move?

The Sharks currently need to add at least one bottom six forward before the season starts. Though this hole can be filled via free agency, it is very possible that general manager Doug Wilson has his sights set on a specific player on another team.

My guess? Young power forward Blake Comeau, who netted 24 goals for the New York Islanders last season.

With the Islanders' acquisition of Brian Rolston, Comeau may be the odd man out on Long Island. Despite signing a one year, $2.5 million deal with New York just a day ago, he could be in play as the Islanders look to improve their defense.

A trade based around Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Blake Comeau would address the needs of both clubs and would be even in terms of value. The Sharks would gain a budding power winger capable of playing second or third line minutes while the Islanders strengthen their back end with a reliable stay-at-home defenseman.

Of course, it's possible Doug Wilson decides to hold on to all of his defensemen and find another way to shore up the bottom six.

It is my belief, however, that if he were planning on fixing San Jose's third line via free agency he would have done so by now. With the addition of Colin White, it's looking more and more likely that a trade is in the works.