According to reports, the San Jose Sharks want to sign defenseman Sean Walker in free agency.
According to reports, the San Jose Sharks want to sign defenseman Sean Walker in free agency.
According to reports, the San Jose Sharks want to sign defenseman Sean Walker in free agency.
Per Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Sharks will attempt to bring in a veteran top-four defenseman next season.
"The San Jose Sharks are looking to add a veteran top-four defenceman to the roster this summer. Sean Walker, as stated above, is one blueliner they will target," Pagnotta writes. "That illustrates what type of player they're looking to add on the backend."
The Sharks' defense was one of many points of struggle last season. Team defense is arguably at the forefront of what the team needs, as their forward prospect pool is reasonably deep. With Will Smith signed and eventually drafting Macklin Celebrini, the prospect pool at forward is strong.
With the No. 1 pick being a no-brainer of who to draft, the Sharks could turn to drafting a young defenseman at the No. 14 pick.
GM Mike Grier must supplement his young core of players with seasoned, quality veteran players. He tried to do that last season, and although many veterans were seen as great mentors off the ice, the results on the ice were lackluster. Grier has said he will utilize the cap space available to him to add more NHL-quality players to the roster.
"It's a balance for wanting to be more competitive [and also] take a step forward as a group and as an organization. In order to do that, we need to spend some money and get some players to do that and identify the right people," Grier said during his exit interview. "But it is also finding the balance of not getting too carried away or get too excited about how can I add this all-star and [possibly] overpay him."
Walker started the season with the Philadelphia Flyers but was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche at the trade deadline. The 29-year-old is a smooth skater with a solid two-way game, which San Jose needs.
Nothing against any of the Sharks' current defensemen, but if the team can sign Walker, he would immediately become the team's best overall skating defenseman.
Walker is an unrestricted free agent, and unless the Avalanche sign him to an extension, he will hit the open market on July 1st. Pagnotta also reports that the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, and Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in Walker.
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