Sharks look to next season...and beyond

[Red John]

The San Jose Sharks are making the decision to focus on the future - starting with next year.

A scorched-earth rebuild is NOT the goal here. Rather, after researching the standings and rosters, it was determined that the Sharks (while sitting in 5th in the West) likely do not have the guns to make a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup this year. The reasons for this are:

a) Other teams below the Sharks have far superior rosters but are underachieving and likely to turn it around based on goal differential and other factors

b) The Sharks are currently riding the success of players like Marc Savard who won't be able to keep their current pace up

c) It's about intellectual honesty and being first-round fodder each year doesn't interest the GM. If the team was only a piece or two away from contention, this is a different story. But that isn't the case.

The idea of blowing things up has been proven in the NHL not to work. So there won't be a firesale. Instead, this is a throwing in of the towel for this season, with the intention of picking up some nice young pieces and looking ahead to a potential run next season...and beyond.

At this point, the goal is to build around Jordan Staal and James Neal. It would take an incredible offer to acquire either. However, anyone else is available for the right price. Actively being shopped are:

-Scott Hartnell
-Stephen Weiss (halfway out the door already)
-Daymond Langkow
-Marc Savard

-Dennis Wideman
-Chris Phillips
-Francois Beauchemin

-Tomas Vokoun

Looking for some younger roster players and/or picks. 2013 1st rounders are highly desired but return expectations for the above players will be realistic and tempered accordingly. Willing to take on an older player if we really like him, but prospects/picks are the best bet. Quality over quantity.

[Red John]

Brent Seabrook has been dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Dan Hamhuis, Brandon Saad and a 2nd round pick.

Stephen Weiss is also gone - traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Martin Hanzal and Martin Frk.

GM comments:

"We really like Dan Hamhuis, think he is underrated and actually just as good (or almost) as Brent Seabrook in the categories that matter to us. Brandon Saad cracked the Hawks last season and once the NHL gets going again, we think he'll emerge as a really nice young piece. Perhaps this year's Brayden Schenn? Time will tell. Also continue to stockpile 2013 draft picks. Thanks Dave for the deal."

"As for Weiss, we feel he just had his career year in Florida and will be hard-pressed to repeat it; as such we had no plans to give him a grid deal so happy to get value for him while we could. Martin Hanzal is ready to break out in Phoenix, we really think we're buying low on him. Great at both ends of the ice. Frk at one point was touted as a top-10 prospect and in Detroit you know he'll be brought along nicely. Thanks to Mike for the talks."

More deals to come - the following are still available:

-Daniel Sedin (HUGE name, looking for a 2013 1st rounder + another younger player or prospect)

-Scott Hartnell (good prospect + something maybe)

-Daymond Langkow (a draft pick will do)

-Marc Savard (a worse draft pick will do)

-Dennis Wideman (make an offer)

-Chris Phillips (can go rather easily)

-Francois Beauchemin (see above)

-Tomas Vokoun (see above)