Once called up by the San Jose Sharks, Jacob Peterson proved why he deserves a spot in the top six forwards this year.
When the San Jose Sharks traded for Jacob Peterson, it was not seen as a significant move.
On Mar. 3, San Jose sent forward Scott Reedy to the Dallas Stars and, in return, received Peterson.
Peterson began his San Jose career in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda. In eight games, he scored six points (one goal, five assists).
He immediately made an impact once he was called up to the NHL. Peterson scored eight points (two goals, six assists) in 11 games. He played regularly with Tomas Hertl and Alexander Barabanov.
The newly acquired San Jose Sharks forward would go on a seven-game point streak. The offensive output came as a massive surprise to head coach David Quinn.
"Peterson, from my end of it, was a pleasant surprise. He did a good job," Sharks head coach David Quinn said during his exit interview.
Peterson was an RFA at season's end but was rewarded with a one-year $775K contract. There is no guarantee he will make the NHL roster out of training camp, but based on last season, he deserves that chance.
Not only does Peterson deserve the chance to start the season in the NHL, but he deserves a chance to start the season in the top six forwards.
The San Jose Sharks brought established forwards like Anthony Duclair and Mike Hoffman. Neither of those players has experience playing for David Quinn, so Peterson already has the upper hand there.
Peterson was a key producer on the powerplay, and with Erik Karlsson gone, an entire five-man unit will need to pick up the slack. Both of his goals for the Sharks came on the man advantage.
Peterson is a smooth skater and has terrific vision. His ability to find the soft areas on the ice for himself and to others when passing is exactly the type of offensive support winger the Sharks have needed for Hertl.
If Peterson makes the NHL roster, he will likely compete with Filip Zadina, Mikael Granlund, and close friend William Eklund for the last of the top six forward spots.
Based on what Quinn thought of him and his play in 11 games, Jacob Peterson deserves a shot to show that it wasn't a fluke. He brought new life to a dead team late in the season.