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San Jose Sharks Sign Jeffrey Viel

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The San Jose Sharks have decided that Jeffrey Viel has done enough to deserve an NHL deal, signing him to a two-year entry-level contract. Viel had been playing on an AHL deal for 2018-19. Sharks GM Doug Wilson released a statement on the young forward:

Jeff parlayed his first professional contract into a very successful season with the Barracuda and earned this NHL contract thanks to a mixture of hard-nosed play along with the ability to play a skilled, team-first game. He has a long track record of proven leadership qualities, having captained his team to the 2018 Memorial Cup and we are excited to watch his continued development with our organization.

Viel, 22, went undrafted through his junior career but ended up captaining the Acadie-Bathurst Titan to the Memorial Cup in 2018 after being named QMJHL playoff MVP. The physical winger was as equally effective scoring a goal as laying a hit, and seemed like a perfect fit for professional hockey. He signed with the San Jose Barracuda in 2018 and finished with 22 points and 94 penalty minutes in 68 games this season.

The Sharks will hope that Viel is a typical late-bloomer, that can develop into a legitimate bottom-six player for them at the NHL level. His first taste of professional hockey went well enough to earn an NHL contract, and now he’ll try to build on that moving forward. San Jose his always proactive in finding talent outside of the draft, and Viel is just the latest lottery ticket worth taking a chance on. He’ll be waiver-exempt to start next season, meaning he can rejoin the Barracuda right away—provided he doesn’t wow head coach Peter DeBoer in training camp.

San Jose Sharks Sign Lean Bergmann

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The San Jose Sharks were apparently impressed enough with Lean Bergmann’s play at the IIHF World Championship to offer him a contract. The team announced today that Bergmann has signed a three-year entry-level contract. GM Doug Wilson released a statement on his new prospect:

Lean has consistently evolved and improved his speed and offensive capabilities, to go along with his power-forward style play, during his time in Swedish juniors, the USHL, and most recently the DEL in Germany, where he was the youngest player to score 20 or more goals this season. We like his compete level and work ethic and the physical nature of his game should translate well to how we like to play. We’re excited to add him to our organization.

Bergmann, 20, was never drafted, but ended up playing on the German national team at the recent tournament because of how well he debuted in the DEL. As Wilson notes, his 20 goals were quite the feat for such a young player and actually tied him for tenth in the entire league in scoring. While he didn’t record a point in his five games at the Worlds, he’s obviously a worthwhile prospect to add for the small risk of an entry-level contract.

Interestingly, just a few months ago Adler Mannheim announced they had signed Bergmann to a two-year deal starting in 2019-20. It’s unclear if that means that the Sharks will allow him to continue to develop in Germany next season, or if he will be joining one of their minor league affiliates instead. The 6’2″ winger has played in North America before, recording 53 points in 130 games during parts of three seasons in the USHL.

Poll: Where Will Erik Karlsson Play In 2019-20?

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The San Jose Sharks’ season has come to an end, and with it all eyes now turn to their stable of unrestricted free agents. Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton have both indicated that they would like to return to the team if possible, while Gustav Nyquist could also be retained if he made a strong enough impact on GM Doug Wilson. But the name everyone is talking about is Erik Karlsson, who is poised to be one of the very top free agents in the class if he decides to take his talents to the open market on July 1. Today, Karlsson tweeted a thank you to the San Jose organization and city, which immediately threw hockey fans all over the world into a frenzy speculating on what it means.

As fans try to decipher what Karlsson meant, Joe Smith of The Athletic (subscription required) takes a more level-headed approach to his speculation and examines how the Tampa Bay Lightning could potentially fit the superstar into their locker room. Most notably, Karlsson is good friends with Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman and has expressed an interest in playing with his old junior teammate in the past. That of course would require plenty of salary cap surgery from the Lightning, who have their own financial issues coming with the pending contract for RFA Brayden Point.

So if not San Jose or Tampa Bay, where? The New York Rangers have been suggested, given their ample cap space and Karlsson’s relationship with goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers are starting to turn the corner on their rebuild and are about to add another top talent with the second-overall pick. A player like Karlsson could perhaps turn them into playoff contenders as early as 2019-20 if they chose to pursue him.

It’s not like his next contract won’t come with risk however. Karlsson has battled several lower-body injuries over the last few seasons and was forced out of the playoffs recently, which some believe will have an impact on his earning potential this summer. He’ll turn 29 in a week’s time, and has a lot of miles on his body already from a career that has seen him log more than 23 minutes a night in all but his rookie season. He played just 53 games for the Sharks during the regular season, though he still recorded 45 points in that time and was a possession monster.

So where will Karlsson end up? Will the Sharks decide he’s too good to let walk into free agency and offer him the Drew Doughty-like long-term contract he was looking for last summer? Or does he take his talents to the east coast and play with one of his national team friends? Does another team—perhaps the Vegas Golden Knights, who have pursued him heavily in the past—knock on his door when the interview period opens in a month’s time? Cast your vote below and make sure to leave a comment!

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San Jose Sharks Sign Tony Sund

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The San Jose Sharks have signed international free agent Tony Sund to a one-year entry-level contract. The young defenseman was undrafted and played in Finland’s top league last season. GM Doug Wilson had this to say about his newest prospect:

Tony is a big, smooth-skating defenseman who uses a strong stick to take away passing lanes and to close plays quickly. He has tremendous vision that made him one of the top passers and playmakers from the back-end we saw this season. He has stepped his game up each of the past few years and really took a leap forward offensively this season. We really like the upside here with Tony, and think that his time spent with the Finnish National team over the past month will only help him grow his game.

Sund, 23, broke out this season in Finland, recording 35 points in 60 games while continuing to provide solid defense. The 6’3″ left-hander joins an organization that has made a splash in the undrafted market over the years, adding NHL talent like Radim Simek, Barclay Goodrow and Lukas Radil. Add that to the strong late-round drafting by Wilson’s team, and the Sharks have been able to maintain a high level of success for a long time.

That deep system may be a tough one to crack for Sund, but the defenseman comes in with a chance to compete right away. Erik Karlsson and Tim Heed are both scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this summer, while Joakim Ryan is arbitration eligible as a restricted free agent. If the Sharks aren’t able to retain some of them, they’ll need replacements like Sund in the near future.

He will be a restricted free agent after the 2019-20 season.

San Jose Sharks Sign Mario Ferraro

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The San Jose Sharks have inked a top college prospect, signing Mario Ferraro to a three-year entry-level contract. Ferraro recently finished his sophomore season at UMass. Sharks GM Doug Wilson released this statement about his newest recruit:

Mario had another stellar season at UMass and has consistently proven his capacity to compete and lead at an elite level. His offensive skills, ability to make plays from the blueline and the energy he brings to the rink are impressive and we look forward to seeing him continue his growth at the professional level.

Ferraro, 20, was selected 49th overall in 2017 after an outstanding rookie season in the USHL and has continued that solid progression at the NCAA level. The left-handed defenseman combined with Cale Makar to make one of the most dynamic pairings—freshmen or not—in the country last year before head coach Greg Carvel split them up this season to give his team a deeper attack.

While he may not be Makar in terms of his upside, Ferraro is no slouch at either end of the rink. In fact, the Colorado Avalanche star prospect’s presence may have actually stifled Ferraro’s production at times, given the fact that UMass would rely heavily on the latter in the defensive end while letting the former run wild with the puck on offense. Ferraro can move the puck effectively and may bring more offense at the next level, but the Sharks will be pleased with the defensive zone polish he’s received at college. Even though he doesn’t bring intimidating size, Ferraro can play physical when he needs to an shuts down plays routinely at his blue line.

That kind of defensive responsibility may be the perfect fit for the Sharks, who already have Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson (if re-signed) to move the puck and attack the opposing team. It will be interesting to see if Ferraro can compete for a spot on the NHL squad out of training camp, or if they feel he’ll need more seasoning in the minor leagues.

San Jose Sharks Sign Danil Yurtaikin

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The San Jose Sharks have inked another international free agent, this time signing Danil Yurtaikin to a two-year entry-level contract. Yurtaikin was undrafted and played this season with Lokomotiv in the KHL. GM Doug Wilson released a statement on his newest forward:

Danil is an explosive skater who uses his speed to create and sustain production in the offensive zone. His offensive talents led him to finish in the top three in scoring among players under 22 in the KHL. He has a championship pedigree as a two-time MHL champion and experience with the Russian national team. We’re excited for him to join our organization.

Yurtaikin, 21, was actually ranked 63rd among international skaters for the 2015 draft by the NHL’s Central Scouting but was a relatively unknown talent and ended up going undrafted. He ended up playing in the World Juniors for Russia in 2017, recording three points and helping to secure a bronze medal. Still, the Sharks are taking a chance on a player that doesn’t have a ton of experience at the professional level, with just 58 games under his belt in the KHL.

The Sharks have been aggressive in how they’ve added players from around the world over the last few offseasons, and appear to be following that trend again this year. Yurtaikin and Joel Kellman are just the latest lottery tickets for Wilson, who continues to build an excellent program in San Jose.

Radim Simek To Undergo Knee Surgery

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The San Jose Sharks will likely be without Radim Simek for the rest of the season and playoffs, as today GM Doug Wilson announced that the defenseman will undergo surgery to repair both his ACL and MCL in his right knee. Simek was injured earlier this week when he collided with Andrew Copp of the Winnipeg Jets and had his right leg trapped underneath his opponent as they went to the ice. The team has recalled Jacob Middleton from the minor leagues.

Simek, 26, was signed out of the Czech Republic in 2017 and spent all of last season in the minor leagues. This year though the physical defenseman has morphed into a full-time option for the Sharks, even pairing with Brent Burns at times. In 41 games this year he has just nine points, but had become a reliable part of the blue line for a Sharks team heading to the postseason.

Losing him will put more pressure on a player like Joakim Ryan, who hasn’t suited up since January 22nd but will skate next to Burns tonight against the Florida Panthers. With Erik Karlsson already out, Ryan and the rest of the defense will need to work even harder if the Sharks are going to maintain their lead in the Pacific Division.

Deadline Primer: San Jose Sharks

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With the trade deadline fast approaching, we will be taking a closer look at the situation for each team over the coming weeks.  Where do they stand, what do they need to do, and what assets do they have to fill those needs? As we begin to examine the Pacific Division, here is a look at the San Jose Sharks.

The moment that the San Jose Sharks traded for star defenseman Erik Karlsson, many people felt that the Sharks would be at the top of the Pacific Division. While no one was expecting the Calgary Flames to be so dominant, the Sharks are solidly in second place and with their impressive play of late, it wouldn’t be a shock if San Jose found their way back during the team’s stretch run. The Sharks have been rolling, having won 10 of 14 games and three of those games were a streak when they were forced to play without Karlsson.

With a number of veteran players trying to hold on for another deep playoff run, including Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Sharks picked up another significant piece to their plans to win this season. The team went out a year ago at the trade deadline and picked up Evander Kane from Buffalo, eventually locking him up long-term and they followed that up by adding Karlsson during the offseason. Throw in the fact that Thornton hasn’t been 100 percent this season and isn’t the same player due to his knee injury and the need for more depth is obvious. No one would be surprised if general manager Doug Wilson tries to pry another major piece.

Record

29-16-7, second in the Pacific Division

Deadline Status

Buyer

Deadline Cap Space

$6.76MM in full-season cap hit, 0/3 used salary cap retention slots, 45/50 contracts per CapFriendly

Upcoming Draft Picks

2019: FLA 2nd, SJS 3rd, SJS 5th, SJS 6th, SJS 7th
2020: SJS 2nd, SJS 3rd, SJS 4th, SJS 5th, OTT 5th

Trade Chips

This is where the Sharks might have some problems. The team has already moved its first-round picks in 2019 and in 2020 as they moved their 2019 pick to Buffalo for Kane and then their 2020 first-rounder for Karlsson (pending multiple conditions that are likely to hold). The team has already unloaded several key young players and prospects in separate deals, including Chris Tierney, Rudolfs Balcers, Danny O’Regan, and Josh Norris. It’s been made clear that the Sharks aren’t interested in moving too many more prospects, leaving the team bare of incoming prospects, but regardless, time is running out for a number of their veterans and with the dominance of several teams, the Sharks will want to keep up with them.

Regardless, the team may have few choices. One player the team could consider moving out would be forward Kevin Labanc, who has five goals and 30 points this season, but hasn’t been able to break into the team’s top six. The 23-year-old still has plenty of promise and might be able to being in a significant return for a player who tallied two 100-point seasons in the OHL. The team also could dip into their prospect pool that has a number of talented players, including 21-year-old goalie Josef Korenar, who appeared in the AHL All-Star game this year, AHL forwards Dylan Gambrell and Francis Perron, as well as highly-touted offensive defenseman Ryan Merkley, and junior forwards Sasha Chmelevski and Ivan Chekhovich.

Five Players To Watch For: G Aaron Dell, F Barclay Goodrow, D Tim Heed, F Kevin Labanc, D Joakim Ryan

Team Needs

1) More forward depth: The team has a solid top-six, but the third line has been average at best and hardly the scoring line the team was hoping for at the beginning of the year. With Thornton ailing, the team could use a sniper, potentially who has some experience manning the center position to improve the bottom-six. Thornton has just 10 goals and 25 points in 43 games this season and looks like he’s heading for his most disappointing season so far. While Marcus Sorensen has shown improvement, the forward has just 17 points this season, while Labanc still hasn’t full proven himself to head coach Peter DeBoer. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Sharks went to the Ottawa well again, having already worked out deals to take Mike Hoffman and Karlsson from the Senators. A rental like Matt Duchene or winger like Mark Stone would force the team to adjust their lines and put some quality offense on their third line.

2) Defensive depth: With an injury, as well as poor play, coming from Marc-Edouard Vlasic, the team may want to bring in a veteran defenseman who could provide the team with some strength behind the blueline. The team has gotten surprisingly good play from defenseman Radim Simek, who the team signed out of the Czech Republic last summer. However, the team needs more help there and don’t have too much help at that position down in the AHL.

PHWA Announces 2018-19 Midseason Awards

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Though they have no bearing on the eventual winners, last season the Professional Hockey Writers Association brought back their Midseason Awards to give fans an idea of who was leading the charge around the NHL at the halfway point. Today those ballots have been tallied and the midseason trophies were given out:

Hart Trophy – Most valuable player

1. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
3. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

Norris Trophy – Best defenseman

1. Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames
2. Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs
3. Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks

Selke Trophy – Best defensive forward

1. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
2. Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
3. Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators

Calder Trophy – Best rookie

1. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
2. Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
3. Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars

Lady Byng Trophy – Sportsmanship & gentlemanly conduct

1. Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
2. Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs
3. Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames

Vezina Trophy – Best goaltender

1. John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
2. Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas Golden Knights
3. Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs

Jack Adams Award – Best coach

1. Barry Trotz, New York Islanders
2. Bill Peters, Calgary Flames
3. Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning

GM of the Year Award

1. Brad Treliving, Calgary Flames
2. Doug Wilson, San Jose Sharks
3. Lou Lamoriello, New York Islanders

Rod Langway Award – Best defensive defenseman

1. Mattias Ekholm, Nashville Predators
2. Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames
3. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning

Comeback Player of the Year Award

1. Robin Lehner, New York Islanders
2. Jeff Skinner, Buffalo Sabres
3. Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild

San Jose Sharks Have “Checked In” On Derick Brassard

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The Western Conference is ripe for a trade deadline arms race given the tight races at both the very top of the standings and playoff bubble, and Eastern Conference teams have a lot to sell. One of those assets for sale is Pittsburgh Penguins forward Derick Brassard, who hasn’t been a fit since he arrived and is almost surely to be sent out of town in the next few weeks. It isn’t clear where the veteran center will be headed, but Elliotte Friedman did suggest on Sportsnet radio today that the San Jose Sharks have “checked in” on Brassard. Friedman notes that the Sharks will be looking for an addition that can play in the middle of the ice.

It hasn’t been a secret that the Sharks will be active at the deadline once again. Earlier this month GM Doug Wilson indicated that he would be open to pursuing rentals again even after sending so many assets out to acquire Evander Kane and Erik Karlsson over the last year. The Sharks sit in second place in the Pacific Division but should already be considered a Stanley Cup contender, something that they might not be able to say a few years down the road.

If there is any team that could see their core group deteriorate quickly it might be San Jose. The team is currently relying on players like Joe Pavelski (34 years old) and Joe Thornton (39) up front, while already giving out long-term deals to Brent Burns (33) and Marc-Edouard Vlasic (31). While those players may be primed for a Cup run this season, three years from now the Sharks might be a very different animal. That’s not to say the team will definitely decline, but the front office has obviously realized that this could be their best chance to win and will do everything they can to compete this season.

Brassard meanwhile cost the Penguins quite a bit last season and won’t be given away for free this time around. Even if Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford knows he is going to send the pending free agent somewhere, he can easily wait for that arms race to kick up a notch before pulling the trigger. While Brassard hasn’t fit well in Pittsburgh, he’s still a very talented player that can be relied on for some secondary scoring. In a different fit he could be quite productive, and there will be several interested buyers at the deadline.

It’s there where the Sharks may find themselves at a disadvantage. The team does not own a first-round pick for the next two consecutive drafts thanks to the Kane and Karlsson trades, and also rid themselves of good young prospects like Josh Norris and Rudolfs Balcers. There are still a few bullets left in the chamber, but it will be tough to outbid teams like the Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets if it comes to that.

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