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Sheng’s Weekend: Friedman Says Sharks Will “Do Anything To Clear Out Their Logjams”
Why Adin Hill? Doug Wilson cited five key reasons in his presser. Also, I added a note about the San Jose Sharks’ purported interest in Braden Holtby:
What are we hearing about the San Jose Sharks’ expansion draft protected list? Will there be any surprises? We don’t think so:
Is Hill the first of two goalies that the Sharks intend to acquire? Or could they trot out a Hill-Martin Jones combo next year?
Before San Jose acquired Hill, I spoke with three scouts about Darcy Kuemper’s potential fit with the Sharks. It doesn’t make sense now, but the scouts did answer some still-relevant questions, like would they choose Kuemper or Philipp Grubauer to start for their team.
The Locked On Sharks guys make an argument for not buying out Martin Jones.
In other San Jose Sharks news…
Elliotte Friedman says that the San Jose Sharks will “do anything to clear out their logjams.” Are they really? That sounds like the surest sign of a rebuild — not a reset.
A new episode of The DFO Rundown is out now!@frank_seravalli & @JasonGregor were joined by @FriedgeHNIC in the @WoodJerseys studio!
APPLE: https://t.co/TLP29yBywD
SPOTIFY: https://t.co/o5jyuExOn8 pic.twitter.com/10BhsLKAvi
— DailyFaceoff.com Hockey (@DFOHockey) July 16, 2021
My thoughts on what Friedman said? It obviously seems to contradict Wilson’s public posture of a “reset.” Behind the scenes, however, it would make sense for Wilson to do his due diligence and see what it would take to dump some of his long contracts. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s explored how to “clear out” the decks and start a rebuild.
But it also doesn’t mean that he was fibbing about the “reset.” Wilson might conclude that a reset makes more sense than a rebuild at this juncture. Basically, he might calculate that a rebuild may be too rich, be it in picks and/or cap space surrendered, for his blood. I’ve said before, if rebuilding was easy, Wilson might have already begun the process.
We’ll see: The moves that Wilson makes — or doesn’t make — this off-season will tell you more about where the San Jose Sharks are than anything else.
Sure signs of a rebuild? Hawking 2022 UFA Tomas Hertl. Dealing established players — say Kevin Labanc — for picks and prospects. Exposing a big contract — not just Martin Jones — to the Seattle Kraken. Retaining salary and/or piling on draft picks to divest himself of these contracts.
Until Wilson does any of these things, I think it’s still a reset.
Wilson said #SJSharks will have a development camp
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) July 17, 2021
Negotiations with Sharks Sports Entertainment to construct an ice rink facility at the Gilroy Sports Park are picking up steam. (Gilroy Dispatch)
Corey Pronman mocks all seven rounds of the 2021 Draft — he has William Eklund going to the San Jose Sharks. (The Athletic)
This is an interesting place for Christina Marleau to be visiting:
FYI: Christina Marleau is in Vegas for a youth hockey tournament.
— Beast (@AlmadenBeast) July 18, 2021
Around the NHL…
Exclusive: Next NHL schedule will maintain back-to-back “series” concept
The New York Rangers have acquired UFA Barclay Goodrow’s rights for a seventh-round pick. (New York Post)
Wow — the Montreal Canadiens aren’t putting Carey Price on their expansion protection list. (Sportsnet)
It’s the same story in St. Louis: The Blues are exposing Vladimir Tarasenko. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
That’s not all: The Avs aren’t protecting Gabriel Landeskog??
Official protection lists will be released at 7 AM PT this morning.
Miro Heiskanen sets the market: The wunderkind RFA defenseman signs an eight-year, $67.6 million contract. (Defending Big D)
Andrew Ladd Traded to Arizona as Islanders Continue to Clear Cap Space
Islanders Hockey Now: The Islanders are a lesser team without Nick Leddy, but he would have been unprotected, and they recouped a solid asset. Also — bye Leddy, hellooo salary cap space!
Vegas Golden Knights Trade Cody Glass for Nolan Patrick; Full Analysis
Flyers acquire Ryan Ellis from Predators for Philippe Myers and Nolan Patrick
Philly Hockey Now: I’ll say this for Chuck Fletcher, he’s trying to pull off something big. He’s working the NHL trade market like a politician works the room the night before an election. Can the Philadelphia Flyers pull off a big trade?
Penguins Trade McCann to Toronto, Re-Acquire Hallander; Full Analysis
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: One day after confirming the Penguins’ serious interest in Zach Hyman, Dan Kingerski asked how in the world the Penguins could afford Hyman? He explained every possibility and ran through every conceivable scenario.Â
Detroit Hockey Now: GM Steve Yzerman and Detroit Red Wings spent some of that $27 million cap space — they acquired defenseman Nick Leddy. That’s a good get for the Red Wings.Â
What Will Washington Capitals’ Final Protected List Look Like?
Washington Hockey Now: The Pittsburgh Penguins’ fiercest rival will lose a player in the expansion draft and it could be a former Penguin.
Of course, Washington has at least four former Penguins on the roster.
