A trade could help the struggling Sharks
San Jose could move Thornton in Bourque-style deal
As the Sharks enter the All-Star break, they sit 11 points out of a playoff spot, with 32 games to go. Depending on your source for such things, the Sharks have between a 0.9 percent and 5 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Having already earned just two regulation losses shy of last year’s total, it is clear that the Sharks season is effectively decided. Barring a miracle beyond that of the 2019 St. Louis Blues, the team will miss the playoffs for the second time in the Joe Thornton era.
Often teams suffering a disappointing season can look forward to a wealth of high- quality prospects and a chance in the NHL’s draft lottery. However, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson lost the team’s 2020 firstround pick when he traded for Erik Karlsson in 2018. Further, the team is also without a fourth- or sixthround pick this year.
The team is not only missing out on the playoffs, but the chance to draft in the top five for the first time since 1998. The Sharks’ selection would have almost certainly been their highest pick since taking Timo Meier at No. 9 in 2015.
Wilson faces a number of decisions. Namely, which players should be rented off to playoff-bound teams and for how much. Before diving into the entire list of players on expiring contracts, a big question exists:
DOES JOE THORNTON WANT TO BE TRADED FOR A CHANCE AT A CUP? >> Matters of the heart must be dealt with first.
Speculation has already begun about whether or not the Sharks should give Jumbo Joe the Ray Bourque treatment. Bourque, the Hall of Fame defender who spent nearly his entire career with the Boston Bruins, was traded to the Colorado Avalanche at the end of his career and played with them for a season and a half in pursuit of a championship. He ultimately was handed the Stanley Cup by Joe Sakic, leading to an iconic image of perseverance, sacrifice and victory.
Such romance, one would assume, might lead Sharks fans to wish the same for the bearded face of their franchise. As the trade deadline approaches on Feb. 24, expect to hear increasing Bourque references, and calls to get Joe a Cup.
Potential suitors are likely to be successful teams that need a boost to their power play. By this metric, the interested teams might include the Avalanche and the Calgary Flames. Both are in playoff position, but have power play percentages in the bottom third of the league. Both teams also boast impressive No. 1 power play units, but could use support on their secondary unit.
Another interesting trade partner is the Pittsburgh Penguins. Although the team just welcomed back captain Sidney Crosby from injury, the Penguins are still lacking depth at the center position as their third-line center Nick Bjugstad has been out since Thanksgiving.
It all depends, of course, on whether Thornton wants a trade. He has a full no-movement clause. The Penguins may make a good case for him to waive it with their proven record of success and two firstballot Hall of Famers in Crosby and Malkin.
IF THORNTON IS TRADED, WHAT SHOULD BE THE EXPECTED RETURN? >> This question is difficult. Thornton is having his poorest offensive year since the 90s, so he is no longer a top trade deadline prize. Any trade with Thornton as the headliner wouldn’t be a blockbuster, but there is recent precedent for teams adding depth forwards.
Leading up to last year’s trade deadline, Derick Brassard was traded from Florida to the Colorado for a third-round pick. Around the same time Carl Hagelin was traded from the Kings to the Washington Capitals for third- and sixth-round picks, while Brian Boyle was traded from the Devils to the Nashville Predators for a second-round pick.
I would imagine that Thornton could fetch a third-round draft pick, possibly a second if the Sharks were willing to take a bad contract in return.
BRENDEN DILLON >> While Thornton is the most prominent player on the block (if he agrees to it), Brenden Dillon is the team’s most sought-after pending free agent. His relatively low cap hit, at times crushing physical play, and proven ability to partner with top-pairing defenders makes him the ideal defensive add for a team looking to make a long run.
Dillon is not an offensive powerhouse, but his defensive reliability and steady play can help provide a team looking to make a deep playoff run with a reliable defenseman who can fit in any situation, except the power play.
The Toronto Maple Leafs need Brenden Dillon like it is nobody’s business. Their top two defenseman are injured, and the team consistently gives up far too many goals. In spite of being in a playoff spot, the Leafs have given up the fourth-most goals in the league this year, sandwiched between the Sharks and the Ottawa Senators. They have scored their way out of trouble this year, but need more defensive depth should
they desire to win a round in the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Dillon is a defensive defenseman who will immediately impact their roster, and provide much needed depth when Morgan Riley and Jake Muzzin return from injury.
While the Leafs need Dillon, many other contenders could use the veteran presence on their blue line. The Boston Bruins’ third pair could be improved by Dillon, as could that of the Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Winnipeg Jets. However, the clearest need and best fit seems to be with the Leafs.
The return should be more than that of Thornton. Similar deals in the past include the Devils trading away Ben Lovejoy for a third-round pick and Connor Carrick (a fourth-line forward), the Leafs acquiring Muzzin for a first-round pick and two low prospects, Jamie Oleksiak being traded to the Dallas Stars for a fourth-rounder, and
Justin Braun being traded by the Sharks for a secondand a third-round pick.
With this sort of history, the Sharks should expect at least a third-round pick and a low-level prospect in return for Dillon. If multiple teams run into injury troubles like the Leafs have experienced, it is not out of reach to see Dillon going for a second-round pick.