It's that time of year again.

The topsy-turvy twitter trade game is welcoming plenty of new participants to the table each day as Plank tries his best to keep the front page discussion around here grounded and rational. Every now and then Matt can't help himself of course, but that's part of the reason why we love him so much.

There are plenty of unrealistic trade rumors out there. What do players like Rick Nash, Jeff Carter, Ryan Getzlaf, Correy Perry, Bobby Ryan, Ryan Suter, Tim Thomas, and Zack Parise have in common?

All have been mentioned as possibilities to be moved in deadline deals over the last few weeks and none of them are realistic opportunities for San Jose. While Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson does have more cap space to work with than he has had in years-- according to Cap Geek the Sharks could add $3.5 MM in cap hits as of right now and $5.9 MM once the deadline arrives with both Niittymaki and Sheppard on the roster-- the prospects in the pipeline and committed payroll heading into next year make any long term commitments unrealistic.

What those Stanley Cup aspirations and cap space this season mean however is that the Sharks will once again be a buyer at the deadline, a position the organization has been comfortable with as of late. San Jose hasn't subtracted a significant piece from the roster at the deadline for years now unless you count Steve Bernier as a significant piece (and if you count Steve Bernier as a significant piece definitely let us know-- our fantasy teams need some help).

With Martin Havlat serving as a deadline acquisition of his own when it comes to adding a piece to the Sharks top six it's likely that San Jose will focus the majority of their efforts at acquiring a lower line player that helps to round out their depth and be able to carry his own in a second line role if the situation calls for it.

Which is what makes this piece from Elliote Friedman so intriguing:

A couple of teams think Buffalo's Paul Gaustad would be a very nice fit in San Jose. That kind of big, depth centre is exactly the kind of player the Sharks eye. Another GM said he could see Wild defender Marek Zidlicky being a possibility there, too. He's out of favour in Minnesota and those two teams like dealing with one another.

>> Elliotte Friedman

As far as the rumor game goes, Elliotte Friedman is one of the guys you can trust. Unlike many others he's never blindly throwing darts at a wall in a quest for page hits, and as one of the of the preeminent hockey personalities in North America, a comment like this carries some legitimate weight.

Having said that, we think it's safe to rule out the Zidlicky angle-- with the Sharks blueline already packed with eight defenseman, and Zidlicky carrying a $4.0 MM cap hit into next season at the age of 35, that's a play that doesn't make sense for the Sharks.

The Gaustad angle? That one has us chomping at the bit.

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Allow me to preface this article with a few statements.

1. I do not think a deal between the Sharks and Columbus for Rick Nash has any real chance of happening.

2. Rick Nash is probably my favorite player in the NHL to watch, so I might be biased here.

Now all that is in the open, let's talk about Rick Nash and how well he fits on the San Jose Sharks.

First off, while I've heard plenty of arguments to the contrary, Rick Nash is one of the best player in the NHL and has been ever since his sophomore season in 2003-2004. That year, Nash scored an incredible 41 goals and since then has only scored less than 30 once, potting 27 in 2006-2007 after missing about 10 games with injury. Yes, his overall point numbers are low in comparison to his goals scored, as he only eclipsed the point-per-game benchmark one time in his nine year career. There's a reason for that, though...

He's played his entire career for Columbus.

Don't get me wrong, at times Columbus has been one of the hardest matchups for the Sharks; the Blue Jackets (especially under Ken Hitchcock) have always been a tough, grind it out team that plays a tight defensive style. But they've never been goal scorers as a bunch.

Want proof? How about this: Here's where they've stood league wide in goals scored since the lockout (Present to Past, in order):

26th, 24th, 21st, 21st, 29th, 28th & 28th.

That's not an environment in which a player like Rick Nash thrives in the assist department. Even this year, after the Jackets added Jeff Carter, the Jackets have had a miserable time putting the puck in the net. So when I hear people talk about the fact that Nash doesn't have the numbers to back up the praise he receives, I raise an eyebrow.

The problems in Columbus are many this season; suspensions, injuries, terrible goaltending and an over-matched defense have all been culprits in their terrible season and resulting situation - last in the NHL standings. From here, with only 10 wins to their credit, it sure looks like the Columbus Blue Jackets' season is over.

Because of this, trade rumors have already begun to swirl, and although no one thought that Rick Nash would be even discussed as an option to be moved, he came out and said that he would be willing to waive his NMC if it helped the Jackets. Now, Columbus GM Scott Howson has said he wants to retain Nash, but this type of talk at least warrants a look from the Sharks perspective.

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Today's article starts with a lesson for snarky, know it all fans which Plank and I learned first hand. The juicy trade talk is going to come, just consider this short story a bit of rosterbation foreplay.

Last year, Plank and I earned press credentials. It was, and has been since, a great experience and opportunity for us and a place to learn and discuss hockey with people who truly know the game.

During an early season match with against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Cam Gore (a great writer now with HockeyBuzz.com), asked Plank and I what we thought of the early developments in goal. The snarky, know it all hockey writers that we are, we quickly took jab after jab at the then-struggling Niemi. As many of you remember, Niemi had just been signed by Doug Wilson a few weeks earlier and was putting up some pitiful showings in his first few games. Antero Niittymaki, though, had been stellar in limited time, yet it seemed like he could do nothing to get more starts.

"I don't why they keep going to Niemi," I said, in a know-it-all sort of way, "Niittymaki is obviously the better option."

Just then, a league scout, who was sitting next to Cam, Plank and I, chimed in. "Niemi is a great goalie," he said, coming to Niemi's defense. "He hasn't looked good so far, but the guy is a notorious slow starter. Let him get a few weeks under his belt, and you'll see what I mean."

Of course, out of respect and fear, we didn't start a full on argument with the man; after all, we had just been granted access to this hockey nirvana and didn't want to ruffle any feathers. Still, Plank and I quickly turned to our computers and rustled up some stats. We discussed how smart we were over the hot dog buffet. 

It didn't matter what stats we turned up that night, because gosh dangit, that scout was right. Niemi went on to dominate the second half of the season, as the professional scout said he would.

Now, he could have just cashed in on a gut feeling, but it doesn't matter. That scout was right. And it gives us extra caution when discussing this present goalie conundrum that's at the hands of the Sharks management.

Niemi has definitely started slow, to be sure. Still, let's take some solace in the fact that he really turned on in the second half last year and give him an extra break since he didn't get any action until a few regular season games had passed.

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[Update 3:30 PM]: The Sharks have signed Brad Winchester to a one-year, $725,000 contract. 

[Update 10:40 AM]: Justin Braun, Benn Ferriero, and John McCarthy have been sent to Worcester.

[Update 11:38 AM]: Cam MacIntyre, Mike Moore, Frazer McLaren, Harri Sateri, and James Sheppard (who will be placed on LTIR) are the four remaining players left on the team who are not expected to be starters. Both Moore and MacIntyre would have to be placed on waivers in order to be assigned to Worcester.

After going 5-1 in the preseason San Jose is hitting the ground running heading into opening night. Lingering offseason injuries to Antti Niemi and Martin Havlat don't seem to be serious at this point-- the general vibe from David Pollak of Working The Corners seems to indicate that even if Havlat and Niemi miss the home opener they will be ready to play in time for the Sharks second game against Anaheim-- and the Sharks have managed to stay healthy throughout all of their six games. In short, Todd McLellan's life as a Head Coach is pretty easy right now.

This week it's about to get a little tougher.

With the preseason campaign complete, McLellan and the Sharks braintrust must decide on which players stick on the roster in San Jose and which players get sent down to Worcester. Heading into camp two and a half weeks ago the Sharks knew their would be stiff competition for roles on the third and fourth line, with any number of players being candidates for the role. But as the dust settles and roster decisions have to be made, there looks to be some clear front runners heading into the week.

The biggest story has been Tommy Wingels, who has scored three goals this preseason and shown a strong mental presence on the ice. Once considered a long shot to crack the roster, Wingels is the definite favorite for a third line spot alongside Michal Handzus and Torrey Mitchell. His knack for scoring goals in the preseason definitely helped him receive attention from the Sharks coaching staff early in the running, but his dedication to the defensive end and strong work down low is what has allowed him to stick.

Andrew Murray and Andrew Desjardins have seemed to solidify their spots on the Sharks fourth line, and will be fixtures on the penalty kill to start the season. If one can assume Wingels will start the year in San Jose (which all indications seem to point to), that leaves one spot open on the lineup card heading into the year.

According to a tweet from Bob McKenzie however, that spot may already be taken:

Nice story unfolding in SJ: looks as tho Brad Winchester, in camp on a PTO, has earned a 4th line spot, pending negotiation of a contract.

>> TSN's Bob McKenzie

Winchester made $700 K last season with St. Louis and $800 K the year prior-- considering he's on a tryout contract with the club, those negotiations shouldn't be too time consuming. If McKenzie is correct (and he always is) in saying that Winchester has earned a fourth line spot, expect news of that announcement to come early this week, possibly today.

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Although the Trade Deadline is the most famous deadline in the NHL, there are a few others that have some significance. Yesterday, for example, was the last day to sign college prospects to professional contracts. If a team failed to do so, said prospect would return to the free agent pool.

The San Jose Sharks have appeared to chose to take the latter route with prospect Patrick White, who was acquired in the trade that sent Brad Lukowich and Christian Ehrhoff to Vancouver. Since White was a first round pick, the Sharks could chose to either sign White or take a second round selection as compensation, or more specifically, the 55th overall pick in the 2012 draft.

With yesterday come and gone and no news from the organization, it's a pretty safe bet to assume that White has been cut loose.

White's short career with San Jose was an extremely uneventful one. His acquisition was a mere blip on the radar in parts of a bigger move to acquire Dany Heatley, and his exit failed to register as well. It's a long, hard fall for the 25th overall pick in the 2007 NHL entry draft.

Heading into that draft, White was ranked in the top-thirty prospects. Scouts touted his puck handling skills and strengthin the corners, suggesting that he would be an above average winger with a solid wrist-shot. However, there was one knock in his NHL scouting profile which, in retrospect, seems to have dictated his post-draft career.

He lacked urgency in his play.

It appears that lack of urgency has led White to an uncertain hockey future. In his senior season at the University of Minnesota, his last real chance to make an impression on the Sharks organization, White scored just five goals en route to a ten point effort in an injury shortened twenty-seven game season. Now, without a professional contract, White is an unrestricted free agent. At this point, it seems extremely unlikely that teams will be lining up to sign him.

The Ehrhoff trade was a cap-move, but even still, it was probably the worst value-for-value trades ever completed by the usually shrewd Doug Wilson. 

With the dog days of August upon us, the majority of organizations across the NHL are sitting on their assets and waiting for training camp to begin before reassessing their needs. This next month may be a slow and arduous journey for many hockey fans but the ineffectual days of debating James Shepard trades will soon disappear-- when hockey is finally here and this new look Sharks team finally hits the ice, everyone will be better off for it.

Although the Delta Force approach to trade negotiations employed by Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson makes it hard to predict future moves with any degree of confidence, barring another phone call from Chuck Fletcher, it looks likely that the Sharks will enter camp with the same roster they have in place today. As we covered earlier this month, that means forwards like Jamie McGinn and Torrey Mitchell will likely be counted on to have big years on the third line. Andrew Murray and James Shepard will push for NHL jobs. Furthermore, young players such as Tommy Wingels, Benn Ferriero, John McCarthy, Frazer McLaren, and Andrew Desjardins will all get a fair shot in camp, with Desjardins practically a shoe in for the fourth line center role.

Others will also receive a chance to impress; much like Ferriero in 2009-2010, don't rule out a previously unheralded player making it to the final day of cuts or even beyond. Extending a camp tryout to a veteran player like the organization did in 2009 with Manny Malhotra is also an option that could be pursued later this summer.

Last season the Sharks started the year with a very similar type of opportunity for young players, producing mixed to below average results. Tommy Wingels, Jamie McGinn, Frazer McLaren, and John McCarthy all played in at least one of the team's first two games in Sweden; Brandon Mashinter saw time with the big club in late December and mid-January, and Benn Ferriero logged 33 games in between stints with Worcester. However, this rotating cast of players was unable to make a discernible impact on games and became the recipient of declining ice time numbers. Doug Wilson responded to these inadequacies, a six game losing streak, and an inconsistent first half by acquiring Ben Eager and Kyle Wellwood in two separate transactions on January 18th.

In essence, the third and fourth lines didn't have much of an impact on games and the ice time allocated to the top six forwards ended up as the second highest in the Western Conference playoff picture. Ipso facto, shouldn't San Jose be aggressively pursuing a third line forward right now in order to put the best roster in place to start the season?

Not quite. And here's why.

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For years, the Sharks have been relatively stacked in terms of forwards, able to confidently roll three dependable lines in most all situations. Because the NHL is a cap system, San Jose did this at the expense of their defense, a decision that has appeared to cost them in their recent playoff performances.

Now, however, San Jose seems to have put a new focus on the defensive side of the game. Doug Wilson has spent the offseason improving his blue line, going so far as to trade from his deep forward corps to do so. Brent Burns, Colin White and Jim Vandermeer were brought in to give the team an offensively gifted all-star from the point, a former shut-down specialist eager to prove he still has something left, and an ancillary player with a mean streak. 

It's safe to say that top to bottom, this is one of the best defensive units that the Sharks have had in their now twenty-season history.

To achieve this feat, the Sharks lost some of their famous forward depth. The top-six forward group is still among the league's best, but outside of those six the remaining forwards are far less established. 

Michael Handzus was brought in to stabilize the third line, and he will give San Jose a dependable veteran presence there. However, it's unknown who will be lining up on his wings when the puck drops to start the season. 

Conventional wisdom suggests that those players will be Torrey Mitchell, Jamie McGinn or Benn Ferriero, three young players with limited NHL experience. Of the three, Torrey Mitchell is the seasoned veteran. Still, his experience is limited to just 204 regular season games. 

Mitchell carried promise with him when he first laced up for San Jose in 2007. Playing all 82 games as a rookie, the then 22-year-old Mitchell potted 10 goals and 10 assists while also wreaking havoc with Mike Grier on the penalty kill. Injuries stopped Mitchell's development quickly, as he missed 108 games over the next two years with leg issues that significantly hampered his speed. 

Last season was a bit of an renaissance for Mitchell; he scored a career high in points and seemed to regain some of his trademark speed. Most of this success came with Kyle Wellwood and Joe Pavelski at his side though, and with Wellwood still on the market and Pavelski moved into the top six, Mitchell will have to try to replicate his numbers without the benefit of these gifted playmakers. 

Although a good season from Mitchell is far from a sure thing, that seems almost guaranteed when you look at the other players the Sharks will lean on next year.

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The Sharks added to their already impressive defensive core earlier today, inking former New Jersey Devils defenseman Colin White to a one-year contract worth $1.0 MM. White joins Jim Vandermeer and Brent Burns as fresh faces on the Sharks backend. These additions have immediately turned what was a weakness of the organization into a clear strength.

White spent his entire career with the New Jersey Devils, serving a defensive defenseman role with the club. Weighing in at 235 pounds and boasting a 6'4 frame, White's primary role on the team will be to clear the front of the net, kill penalties, and hold the fort in front of Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi. He has amassed over 100 hits and 100 blocked shots in each of his previous three seasons, making him a prototypical defensive defenseman with a penchant for doing the rough stuff and doing it well. A left eye injury sustained in 2007 renders him unable to drop the gloves like he did earlier in his career, but the visor he now wears makes re-aggravating that injury a non-issue during the course of normal hockey play.

With a grand total of 20 goals in 743 games played it is clear that White won't be counted on to deliver any offense throughout the course of next season. Considering he will likely start the season with Jason Demers on the Sharks third pairing however, that focus on the defensive zone is something that is a clear asset to the club.

As White's advanced statistics show, those assets make him a very valuable addition to the organization:

*Team ranks in parentheses. Ranks are out of subjects with at least 30 GP; SH sample is with players who have more than 1:00 SH TOI/G.

White has played against top competition for the last three seasons of his professional career. At the age of 33 he isn't going to be the dynamic shutdown defenseman he used to be, but right off the bat it's clear that the Devils coaching staff continued to trust him with playing the toughs. Coupled with his team-leading defensive zone starts, it becomes clear that White is a player who knows how to handle the hardest assignments on the blueline.

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