It is hard to say what kind of an offseason the San Jose Sharks are having. Active would be a nice way to put it. However, the second word to describe it is a matter of opinion.Is it bold? Confident? Stupid?
Has Sharks GM Doug Wilson shot his team in the foot, or is he just a genius?
The answers to these questions will come sooner than we think.
Are the Sharks done dealing, though?
Some reports have the team linked to the Washington Capitals' Alexander Semin, among many others.
However, we know San Jose will be making more moves. Maybe they are not of the significant type, but the Sharks' lines are incomplete.
David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News wrote in his Working the Corners blog that he thinks the Sharks are leaning towards the lines breaking down like this:
Marleau-Thornton-Pavelski
Clowe-Couture-Havlat
The third and fourth lines seem to be a mix-and-match at the moment, with Torrey Mitchell, Jamie McGinn and Michael Handzus headlining. But it is hard to believe that Wilson will leave it that way.
It seems to be an overall consensus that the Sharks need a veteran winger to go either on the third or fourth line, and help with the young core San Jose has.
Currently, the top five free agent forwards still available are Teemu Selanne, Vinny Prospal, Brendan Morrison, J.P. Dumont and Joe Madden.
However, three players jump out as real possibilities in San Jose.
J.P. Dumont
Dumont was bought out by his former team the Nashville Predators last month and is looking for a home with a winning franchise.
The Sharks qualify for that one, and for the right price, San Jose would appreciate Dumont.
After putting up seasons of 65 and 45 points, the 33 year-old posted just 19 points in 70 games last season.
The winger would do well in the locker room by bringing a veteran presence, as well as benefiting from players like Mitchell or Couture, who he might play with.
Although he had a down season last year, the Sharks would hope to get the 65-point Dumont that was a couple seasons ago.
Chris Drury
Drury fits every part that the Sharks need. They need a veteran forward with good ability to fit on the third or fourth lines.
Despite just five points in 24 games last season, the 35-year-old could benefit from playing with young and talented players, as well as fitting into the locker room atmosphere.
Drury was bought out by the New York Rangers after his failed season, but could be looking for a fresh start or end to his career.
This is a real possibility in San Jose.
Kyle Wellwood
It is Day 11 of NHL Free Agency and no team has taken a gamble on Kyle Wellwood yet.
The 28-year-old fit well with the Sharks after being picked up by San Jose late in the 2010-11 season. He was a very valuable piece in both the Kings and Red Wings series, and was looking to sign with a team in free agency after the Sharks let him walk.
If San Jose could re-sign him, he could fit very well on a line with Torrey Mitchell or Michael Handzus.
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