NHL Free Agency: Reasons Colin White Will Be a Huge Boost to San Jose Sharks

The Sharks have made some game-changing moves this offseason, to say the least.  After back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Finals, GM Doug Wilson decided to rebuild an already highly competitive team.

Wilson filled the holes and solidified a weary defense, changing it into one of the best in franchise history.

A huge reason for that sudden leap in rank was the acquisition of defenseman Colin White, who solidifies many aspects of the defensive aspect of the game.

With White, San Jose turns into a real force for any team trying to put up points against them.

Here are a few reasons why the acquisition of White makes the Sharks legitimate contenders for the Stanley Cup, yet again.

Colin White Is a Big Boy

The title says it all.  Colin White is a large man who plays just that way on the ice.

He is exactly what the Sharks needed this offseason—a big man that can play physical in front of the net.

Standing at 6'4" and weighing in at 220 lbs., the 33-year-old White is one of the biggest players on the team. 

If you are the San Joe Sharks, White is just what the doctor ordered. He brings a physical aspect to the ice, and without a clear enforcer, other than Ryane Clowe's eagerness to drop the gloves, he can be that policeman on the ice to deal with any shots taken at some of San Jose's more premiere players.

If anything, White can hold down the front of the net.  He is a big body that can move people at will, something the Sharks had a tough time doing last season.

Rather than Jason Demers or Marc-Edouard Vlasic doing work on a player fighting for position in front of goalie Antti Niemi, it will be the bulky White.

Sounds like an upgrade.

Colin White Is a Two-Time Stanley Cup Winner

Colin White knows what it takes to make the Stanley Cup Finals—something that the San Jose franchise knows little about.

Every year the Sharks are in contention, and every year it seems that something goes awry.

Can White immediately fix that?

His usual production on the ice would debate that, but it does not mean his appearance in the locker room won't ignite a fire inside the younger guys on the team.

Between White's two Stanley Cups and Jim Vandermeer's playoff experience, the Sharks have acquired two very experienced and playoff-poised defensemen.

Colin White Improves the San Jose Sharks' Penalty Kill

It seemed that Sharks' GM Doug Wilson had one aspect of the game that he most certainly wanted to address this past offseason—the penalty kill.  The penalty kill was a clear focus for San Jose.

After a moderately good season down a man last season, the Sharks now have one of the best on paper in the Western Conference.

To address that situation on the penalty kill, Wilson acquired three masters of that game:  Michal Handzus, Jim Vandermeer and Colin White.

Handzus is the flying forward that can block the occasional shot with Vandermeer, and White is the bulky defenseman clearing space for Antti Niemi in front of the net.

In the end, we may witness one of the best Sharks teams in all aspects of defense in the up-coming season.