The San Jose Sharks have made big draft picks, free-agent signings and trades to add to their rebuilding roster. But some speculation suggests that won't be all for them.
Justin Bailey and Kevin ShattenkirkThe biggest off-season news for the San Jose Sharks was selecting potential franchise player Macklin Celebrini first overall in this year's NHL draft.
However, GM Mike Grier has been busy adding veteran depth to his rebuilding roster this summer.
Forwards Tyler Toffoli and Alexander Wennberg were their notable UFA signings. Two-way forward Barclay Goodrow was plucked off waivers from the New York Rangers. Grier also turned to the trade market to acquire forwards Carl Grundstrom, Ty Dellandrea and defenseman Jake Walman.
The Sharks could make other moves via trades and free agency. NBC Sports Bay Area's Sheng Peng reported multiple sources claim Grier wants to add an experienced right-handed defenseman before the start of the regular season.
Grier didn't reveal his possible targets. Peng suggested free-agent options like Tyson Barrie, John Klingberg, Justin Schultz and Kevin Shattenkirk. However, they're all now past their prime, and Klingberg's career could be over following season-ending hip surgery last December.
Peng's proposed trade options included Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers, Cody Ceci of the Edmonton Oilers, Trevor van Riemsdyk of the Washington Capitals and Zach Whitecloud of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Ekblad's unlikely to accept a trade to a rebuilding club like the Sharks. The Golden Knights are over the cap, but Robin Lehner remaining on LTIR would make them cap-compliant.
The Capitals might've been willing to move van Riemsdyk to shed some cap space. However, Peng observed that's no longer an issue following the termination of Evgeny Kuznetsov's contract by the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals retained half of his $7.8-million cap hit when they traded him to the Hurricanes, but that now comes off their books.
Ceci is the more likely candidate. The Oilers may need to shed salary once RFAs Dylan Holloway and Phillip Broberg are signed to new contracts.
Meanwhile, Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News pointed out the Sharks lack a third goaltender with NHL experience who can be recalled from their AHL affiliate on short notice.
Pashelka wondered if a reunion with Martin Jones was possible. The 34-year-old netminder was the Sharks' starter from 2015-16 to 2020-21. He proved himself a worthwhile third-stringer last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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