How the Sharks Could Justify Adding a Defenseman at the Trade Deadline

The San Jose Sharks are in danger of being in the mushy middle for the first time in a long time. San Jose contended for much of the 2010s before bottoming out after their Western Conference Final appearance during the 2018-19 season. Since then, they’ve never been higher than sixth in the Pacific Division, which helped Mike Grier turn the Sharks into one of the most feared prospect pools in the league.

Thanks to the early emergence of Macklin Celebrini as one of the best players in the world, the Sharks have been contending for a playoff spot for most of the season. They still don’t have the depth to win a Stanley Cup, but the front office could feel that playing some meaningful hockey late in the season is more beneficial than anything at this point in the rebuild.

If the organization is going to give its players the best chance to win, a defenseman has to be on the wishlist between now and the trade deadline. The forward depth is solid with Celebrini leading the way. Still, the defense is a mix of depth defensemen attempting to stay afloat, Mario Ferraro as a No. 2 or 3 on any other team but an anchor of the Sharks’ blue line, and a 19-year-old in Sam Dickinson.

Sheng Peng of NBC Sports California believes the Sharks could add a defenseman at the trade deadline. He listed six names: Dougie Hamilton, Justin Faulk, Mason Lohrei, Zach Whitecloud, Braden Schneider, and Logan Stanley. Each defenseman has their own pros and cons, and it really depends on what Grier is trying to do this season.

Sharks’ Defensemen Targets

Hamilton and Faulk are two defenders on large contracts that teams will struggle to fit under the salary cap. The good news for the Sharks is that they have plenty of room to maneuver in that area, and they can be an appealing place for an offensive defenseman like those players to go. Who wouldn’t want to go to sunny California and run a powerplay that consists of Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund, and Tyler Toffoli?

Whitecloud and Stanley are two defenders who are sort of in the middle when it comes to their age. They won’t completely change the dynamic of the Sharks’ blueline, but they can be reliable pieces in San Jose’s competitive window. While Hamilton and Faulk likely wouldn’t stay in San Jose for long after their contracts, Whitecloud and Stanley can be depth defensemen for them for a while.

Lohrei and Schneider are the options if Grier is looking to add to the position for now and the future. Both defensemen had struggles with their teams in Boston and New York, and a fresh start with a core group of players around their age might be just the cure. Schneider’s offensive play has dropped off since his junior days, but Lohrei shows glimpses every night of being an above-average contributor in the right situation.

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