Eight players Sharks might target in NHL free agency
Brian Witt offers eight potential targets for the Sharks in free agency.
The first major box of the Sharks' offseason has been checked with the completion of the 2020 NHL Draft.
Next up: Free agency.
The Sharks have some decisions to make with their own free agents, namely Kevin Labanc (restricted), Joe Thornton (unrestricted) and Stefan Noesen (unrestricted). But even if all three return for another season in teal, San Jose will still have multiple areas in which it potentially could upgrade. Free agency presents an opportunity to do so.
The Sharks currently have just over $8.6 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly. A considerable portion of that sum likely will be put towards filling out the lower rungs of the roster, but San Jose should have the ability to add one or more free agents capable of being a significant contributor next season.
Here are eight players the Sharks might target in free agency:
The Sharks ranked 27th in the NHL in scoring last season. That's not going to cut it.
Enter Toffoli, who tallied 24 goals and 20 assists in 68 games with the LA Kings and Vancouver Canucks last season. San Jose is quite familiar with what he brings to the table, as Toffoli has spent the entirety of his eight-year career in the Pacific Division.
Toffoli, 28, likely will receive offers on the open market that the Sharks can't top. But in the event he doesn't, Toffoli should be at the top of their list.
After notching 69 and 67 points in his final two seasons with the Minnesota Wild, Granlund's production took a downturn over the last two seasons with the Nashville Predators. That said, the 28-year-old remains in the prime of his career, and could turn things around with a change of scenery.
Granlund likely will be on the upper end of what the Sharks are able to afford in free agency, but he provides the position versatility that San Jose values. Though a left-handed shot, he has played on the right side, where the Sharks arguably have their biggest need.
Duclair was a restricted free agent, but after the Ottawa Senators opted to not present him with a qualifying offer Wednesday, he's now unrestricted. Duclair reportedly represented himself in the negotiations, so the fact that he turned their offer down suggests he thinks he can get more on the open market.
The Sharks certainly won't break the bank for Duclair -- they literally can't -- but of the players available, he would make a ton of sense. He had 23 goals and 17 assists in 60 games with Ottawa last season, and there's good reason to believe the 24-year-old's best days are still ahead of him.
If the price is right, Duclair is someone San Jose should bet on.
A darling of the analytics crowd, there's a lot for the Sharks to like about Smith. He shouldn't be too expensive, and he plays a quality two-way game. Smith, 31, tallied 18 goals and 13 assists in 69 games with the Predators last season, while his plus-18 ranked second-best on the team, despite the fact he averaged less than 14 minutes of ice time. In fact, he has recorded a positive plus-minus in each of the last six seasons, including double-digits in each of the last three.
Smith likely will have many suitors, but the Sharks should be one of them.
The Predators bought out the final four years and $24 million of the six-year, $36 million deal Turris signed with Nashville in 2017 and placed him on unconditional waivers on Wednesday. As conditions of the buyout, the Predators will pay Turris $16 million.
A major disappointment in Nashville, Turris could be a target for the Sharks. As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 draft, Turris, 31, has the pedigree and background of a potent goal-scorer, despite scoring only 16 goals over the last two seasons combined. He's unlikely to get any big offers on the open market after what happened in Nashville, but that could play into the Sharks' hands. On a short-term, prove-it deal, they could do a lot worse.
In addition to scoring, the Sharks definitely could use some more speed. Fast potentially could help in both areas (pun absolutely intended).
The 28-year-old has spent his entire career with the New York Rangers, but likely will be wearing a different sweater next season. He had 12 goals and 17 assists in 69 games last season and was a plus-16.
Fast should fall into the Sharks' price range, and could potentially be a great bargain.
Ryan, 33, isn't young, nor is he anything close to fast, but he's still capable of lighting the lamp. He was limited to 24 games this past season, scoring five times with three assists.
His best days are most definitely behind him, but with 254 career goals, Ryan's best skill would help address the Sharks' most glaring deficiency. He'll likely be looking to join a Stanley Cup contender, and while San Jose probably doesn't qualify for that status right now, perhaps he could be convinced.
Gross, I know.
As one of the biggest villains in Sharks franchise history, Perry hasn't exactly endeared himself to the fanbase. He was a pain in San Jose's side for 14 seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, and though he's in the twilight of his career, he proved he still has something left in the tank, scoring five playoff goals for the Dallas Stars on their way to the Stanley Cup Final.
At 35 years old, Perry obviously would not fit into the Sharks' future. But if they have a bottom-six hole to fill, he'd be an intriguing target to fill that role next season. At the very least, signing him would guarantee Perry would use his irritating tactics for the Sharks, and not against them for a change.
