The San Jose Sharks Bolster Forward Depth with Strategic Moves
The San Jose Sharks took significant steps on Wednesday to strengthen their roster, focusing on enhancing their forward depth in preparation for an impending youth movement. These moves reflect a strategic approach by General Manager Mike Grier to balance experienced veterans with promising young talent.
Acquisition of Barclay Goodrow
In a notable return, the Sharks claimed Barclay Goodrow off waivers from the New York Rangers. Goodrow, familiar to Sharks fans, previously spent six seasons in San Jose, during which he scored 26 goals and notched 45 assists. His return to the franchise brings not only depth but also a wealth of playoff experience, crucial for guiding the team's younger players.
Goodrow's career has been marked by several successful stints, including vital roles with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers. In 2019, he scored a memorable overtime goal in Game 7 of the first round against the Vegas Golden Knights, helping the Sharks advance to the Western Conference Finals. Furthermore, he was a key component in Tampa Bay's back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021 and contributed to the Rangers' journey to the Eastern Conference Finals over the past two years.
The Toronto native has accumulated 169 points in 572 regular-season games and added 24 points in 97 playoff games since debuting in the NHL in 2014. Claiming Goodrow has financial implications for the Rangers, saving them $3.6 million against the salary cap for each of the next three seasons. For the Sharks, taking on Goodrow's contract was a calculated risk aiming to add necessary experience to their lineup.
Ty Dellandrea Joins the Roster
In addition to Goodrow, the Sharks traded with the Dallas Stars to acquire Ty Dellandrea. Dellandrea, who played 42 games for the Stars this season, brings another layer of depth to the Sharks' forward lines. He contributed two goals and seven assists for Dallas and ranked sixth among forwards on his team with 63 hits. Additionally, he was fifth in penalty kill time among Stars forwards.
Although picked 13th overall by Dallas in the 2018 draft, Dellandrea has yet to fully realize his offensive potential, having registered 14 goals and 28 assists in 151 career NHL games. However, his physicality and strong penalty-killing abilities present valuable assets for the Sharks. His restricted free agent status in July will grant the Sharks his arbitration rights, offering control over his future contract negotiations.
During the recent playoffs, Dellandrea scored one goal in six games for Dallas. The Sharks hope that his attributes will complement their emerging talent, providing a well-rounded support system for integrating younger players into their lineup.
Future Prospects: Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith
These strategic acquisitions are aimed at facilitating the transition for the projected No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, Macklin Celebrini, and Will Smith, who was picked fourth overall last year. The intent is to establish a foundation of experience to help nurture these young prospects, ensuring they thrive in the NHL environment.
General Manager Mike Grier has been actively pursuing veteran forwards to guide the younger players, and the addition of Goodrow and Dellandrea underscores this commitment. By blending seasoned veterans with emerging talent, the Sharks are setting the stage for both immediate improvement and sustainable future success.
Goodrow's invaluable playoff experience and Dellandrea's physicality and penalty-killing skills are crucial elements in achieving this vision. These moves highlight the Sharks' strategic foresight and dedication to creating a balanced and competitive team.
"Barclay Goodrow scored 26 goals and notched 45 assists in six seasons with the San Jose Sharks," noted Brandon Magnus from NHLI via Getty Images.
As the San Jose Sharks look forward to the upcoming season, the recent roster adjustments reflect an ongoing effort to enhance team cohesion and performance. With a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent, the Sharks are poised to make a significant impact, both in the immediate future and in the long term.