According to a tweet from TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Brad Winchester will be headed to Sharks camp on a pro tryout. The 30 year old left winger has played in 323 NHL games throughout his career, with the majority of those coming with the St. Louis Blues. Last season he was acquired by the Anaheim Ducks at the trade deadline for a third round pick, where he played in a checking line role.
The 6’5, 228 pound winger should bring size and grit to a Sharks bottom line that is looking to be tougher to play against going into the season. Although Winchester is primarily considered an enforcer, racking up well over a PIM per game average over the last three seasons, he does possess some scoring pop as well. In 2008-2009 he potted 13 goals with the Blues, and in 2010-2011, Winchester scored 10 goals in stints with the Blues and Ducks.
According to an interview with Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson a few moments ago here in Penticton, Winchester is expected to come in and compete for a bottom line role with many prospects. Asked whether or not Winchester will compete primarily with Sharks prospect Frazer McLaren for the enforcer role, Wilson explained he sees both Winchester and McLaren as more dynamic players.
“There are some spots that will be up for competition in camp, whether it be with our own young players or a guy like Brad who has had a lot of experience in this League,” Wilson said. “We don’t see him as fitting in one specific role [enforcer]. I don’t think he’s a one-dimensional player, and I don’t think Frazer is either. I think both Brad and Frazer will be looking at many roles available for us on the third and fourth line.”
Wilson also doesn’t see the bottom six serving a solely defensive role next season, explaining that they will be expected to be scoring threats despite the fact Pavelski will not be centering the third line next year and Kyle Wellwood was not retained.
“I think that we have a lot of different ingredients to pick and choose from, things that Todd can work with depending on who we’re playing against and how our team is playing at that moment in time,” Wilson said. “You look at the skill sets of Jamie McGinn, John McCarthy, Tommy Wingels, Benn Ferriero, Brandon Mashinter, Frazer McLaren and Andrew Desjardins, all of them can play different types of games. Obviously penalty killing is important, but we expect some scoring from those third and fourth lines.”
Sharks training camp begins this Friday, where players will take part in team meetings and physicals. The first day of official practice will be on Saturday.
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