San Jose Sharks: Grading Each of the Sharks' Acquisitions So Far

It is no secret that San Jose Sharks' GM Doug Wilson has been busy this offseason. 

Brent Burns, Martin Havlat, Colin White, Michael Handzus, Jim Vandermeer, Brad Winchester, Andrew Murray and James Sheppard are the new Sharks this season, thanks to the hard work of Doug Wilson. 

With so many new faces, it may be hard for them to fit in and produce immediately. However, chemistry is not an issue, as the Sharks' record is a comfortable 8-4-1 after 13 games. 

Read on as I grade each of the Sharks' new acquisitions. 

Brent Burns: B+

Burns was the centerpiece of the offseason moves made by GM Doug Wilson. He was supposed to be the one-two punch to Dan Boyle, the all-around defenseman that the Sharks need.

It has been a rough start for Brent Burns thus far. Registering just five points, Burns seemed unfamiliar and unsure of himself in the Sharks' lineup. Misplaying the puck and sloppy passes indicate that he needs some more time to develop chemistry with his new team.

Burns has caught on in recent games, looking much sharper and much like the Burns of old. His overtime winner against the New York Islanders has been his sole highlight thus far.

I give Burns a generous B+ for his efforts, but there is little doubt that he will be that A+ defenseman that the Sharks are looking for by midseason.

Martin Havlat: A

Havlat has been a welcome addition to the Sharks' dynamic offense. Although he missed the first four games of the season, Havlat has made his presence felt since then, notching eight points in nine games.

Havlat was traded for Dany Heatley in the offseason, a surprising but understandable move. Heatley had his worst year as a Shark in the 2010-2011 season, which compelled Doug Wilson to pull the trigger on this move.

What Havlat brings to the table is a speedy, talented winger who is very creative with the puck. He's basically a smaller version of Joe Thornton (he already has seven assists). He can create scoring chances by himself, and makes smart and great passes, much like Jumbo Joe. 

Needless to say, Havlat has fit in well to the Sharks' offense and has earned an "A" thus far this season.

Colin White: D

When Doug Wilson signed Colin White to a free-agent contract in the offseason, much of Sharks' nation was thrilled. The addition of a physical, veteran, Stanley Cup-winning presence in the locker room and on the ice was welcomed by fans, media and players alike.

Well, it's safe to say that White has not lived up to the hype. After playing 10 games, he has no points, six penalty minutes and a minus-five rating. That means he has hurt the team more than he has helped, earning him a "D."

Part of the reason could be that he is having trouble adjusting to San Jose after spending his entire career with New Jersey. Or maybe he is just getting too old and fatigued to produce at the NHL level anymore.

Whatever the reason is, Colin White needs to get everything together and find a way to help this team win. If not, that "D" will eventually turn into an "F."

Michael Handzus: A-

Handzus was brought over by Doug Wilson from the L.A, Kings to bolster the Sharks' third line. 

He has proven that he can fill that role, and then some. He two goals and an assist in thirteen games, with a +4 rating. 

Handzus should be an outstanding contributor to the penalty kill and the third line. He will work hard on every shift, and is a welcome addition to this team.

He has more than earned an "A-" grade thus far.  

Jim Vandermeer: B-

Vandermeer has done in four games what Colin White has done in 10 games, and then some. Vandermeer has two assists and a plus-two rating in four games, and it is puzzling why he has not gotten more playing time.

Vandermeer was another free-agent acquisition, as Doug Wilson sought to have more physical bodies on defense. He had 14points in 62 games for the Edmonton Oilers last season, and has done very well in the limited playing time that he has seen thus far, earning him a "B-."

If Coach Todd McClellan is smart, he should give Vandermeer more playing time in place of White. Vandermeer is three years younger, has scored more points and plays a very similar game to White.

Brad Winchester: C

Winchester earned a spot in the Sharks' lineup this season, making the team out of training camp.

In 13 games, he has one assist and a minus-two rating.

What Sharks fans can expect from him is a more active, faster form of Jody Shelley (remember him?). He is not afraid to back away from a fight and is physical on and off the puck.

Although his stats do not show it, Winchester is a solid addition to the fourth line, earning him an average, or a 'C," grade.

Andrew Murray: C-

Murray was another free-agent acquisition by Doug Wilson this offseason.

Brought in to stabilize the fourth line, it is safe to say that Murray has provided little to nothing to contribute. No points, a zero plus-minus rating in 13 games definitely back that up.

Murray will have to contribute at least some to be considered a stable fourth liner, or his already below-average "C-" grade will drop even further.

James Sheppard: INC

Sheppard is currently on long-term injured reserve and has yet to play in a Sharks uniform.

He was traded from the Wild for a third-round pick, after notching just six points in 64 games last season.

Sheppard was a former first-round pick of the Wild, but has yet to show his true potential. Hopefully, once healthy, he can prove to the Wild just how wrong they were to ship him off for a third-round pick.