Preview/Lines #64: Sharks’ Reputation as Class Organization Continues With Cogliano Trade

The San Jose Sharks have developed a reputation as an organization that treats its players well.

In a pre-game press conference as the newest member of the Colorado Avalanche, Andrew Cogliano had only good things to say about the Sharks and how they handled his trade to Colorado on Monday: “They were first-class with how they handled it. They were great all the way through the year. I have a great relationship with them.”

BREAKING: Cogliano Traded for Pick

Joe Will and the San Jose Sharks front office gave Cogliano a choice in the days leading up to the Trade Deadline.

Not surprisingly, it had been on his mind: “I thought there were a couple of opportunities with some teams that were looking for depth. [The Sharks] approached me saying there were a couple of teams that were asking and if I would like the opportunity [to move teams].”

AVALANCHE TRADE ANALYSIS: Artturi Lehkonen, Andrew Cogliano acquired. Are Avs better? (+)

While Cogliano was only with the San Jose Sharks for a few months, he appreciated how the organization recognized his years in the NHL. After 15 years in the league, Cogliano wanted to chase a Cup this season, and the Sharks found him a place to do just that.

Wednesday morning, Sharks head coach Bob Boughner commented on whether that respect affects players’ opinions when looking for a team to sign with: “Big time. As a former player, I would say yes. I think I was lucky enough to play with some great organizations, and you could tell the difference between an organization that’s well-run, and I say that not so much from an ownership standpoint but from a general manager standpoint, and just how things are run on a daily basis.”

Even during his own time in the league, Boughner knew which teams were less than desirable to join. He knows that the players talk about their experiences, as they always have.

“Looking back at some organizations I played for, it was a lot of the same [good],” he recounted. “But there were some stories out there, and I’m sure there still is today that guys, whether it’s different reasons, that they didn’t care for that organization. I think it starts at the top and goes down.”

Boughner noted that the San Jose Sharks have always been known, league-wide, as a class organization.

“I think San Jose has always been an organization whether they’ve had great teams or just okay teams,” he said. “It’s an organization with an ownership group and a management group that really treats people fairly and surrounds them with everything they need to succeed.”

Leading into an off-season where the Sharks will be looking to add players who can keep up with the likes of Tomas Hertl, Timo Meier, and Mario Ferraro, this positive reputation among players is a definite asset.

SAN JOSE SHARKS (28-27-8)

Meier is in https://t.co/5VGYMFSP1m

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 24, 2022

Kähkönen Excited for Opportunity with Sharks, Ready to Learn from Nabokov

EDMONTON OILERS (35-24-5)

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Smith
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— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) March 24, 2022

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WHERE TO WATCH

Puck drop between the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks is at 6:00 PM PT/7:00 PM MT at Rogers Place. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.