Sharks swap players and are gLadd

[Forever Flames]

The Sharks have traded the enigmatic forwards JVR and Kulemin to the Wild for Ladd, Stralman, and towering potential #1 dman Jamie Oleksiak.

The Sharks aren't a huge fan of Ladd but have not made a move in quite some time and frankly are bored.

Ladd definitely brings more talent to the top 6 which was a huge concern.

The Sharks now have 16 prospects and need to get under so if anyone is interested in Oleksiak, he will be made available for a 1st rounder in 2013 that has the potential to be a top 15 pick.

We also need to move out a couple of AHLers, feel free to snoop around.

Thanks to Grant for the deal, I was definitely fretting over the prospect choice but WTH, enie meanie minee moe....

[JiriHrdina]

Had quite a bit of interest in Ladd, but SJ stepped up with a reasonable offer.

Certainly I hate to give up a guy like Olekskiak who has intriguing upside, but I don't see him as a big point producer at the pro level, and my focus on the blueline is guys with offense.

I'm not sure if JVR is going to be a big producer - I'm not sold on him - but he is going to get a great chance in Toronto so the time is right to take a flyer on him. Kulemin went from 30 goals to 7 - but I see him as a 15-20 goal guy.

Trade helps me ice a more solid top 6 group - though the drop off from the top line to the 2nd line is still quite severe. It does allow me to bump Turris down to a more suitable spot on the 3rd line with PM Bouchard and Mikael Boedker.

[3thirty]

Nice move for both teams.

[Goffie]

JVR is the swing piece in this deal, if he develops to his full potential the Wild win the deal, if he keeps spinning his wheel then the Sharks win the deal. I will be interested to see how this one plays out down the line.

[RT14]

I completely agree with Goffie.