The San Jose Sharks' Strategic Moves: Adding Veteran Depth for a Youthful Future
The San Jose Sharks made strategic moves on Wednesday, bolstering their forward depth to support an impending youth movement. The Sharks claimed Barclay Goodrow off waivers from the New York Rangers and traded with the Dallas Stars to acquire Ty Dellandrea. These acquisitions aim to ease the transition for the projected No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, Macklin Celebrini, and Will Smith, picked fourth overall last year.
Goodrow's Return to San Jose
Goodrow's return to San Jose provides not only depth but also invaluable playoff experience. General Manager Mike Grier had been actively seeking veteran forwards to guide the younger players. Goodrow previously spent six seasons with the Sharks, scoring 26 goals and notching 45 assists. His journey has included successful stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers, where he has been a key component in several deep playoff runs.
In 2019, he scored an iconic overtime goal in Game 7 of the first round against Vegas, helping San Jose reach the Western Conference Finals. Goodrow further contributed to Tampa Bay's back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2020 and 2021 and aided the Rangers' journey to the Eastern Conference Finals over the last two years. The Toronto native has amassed 169 points in 572 regular-season games and added 24 more points in 97 playoff games since debuting in the NHL in 2014.
Claiming Goodrow has financial implications for the Rangers, saving $3.6 million against the salary cap each of the next three seasons. Taking on Goodrow's contract from the Rangers was a calculated risk by the Sharks, aimed at leveraging his experience and leadership qualities to guide their younger talent.
The Addition of Ty Dellandrea
The acquisition of Ty Dellandrea adds another layer of depth to the Sharks. Dellandrea played 42 games for the Stars this season, contributing two goals and seven assists. He ranked sixth among forwards on his team with 63 hits and was fifth in penalty kill time among Stars forwards. Despite being picked 13th overall by Dallas in 2018, Dellandrea has not yet translated his draft potential into significant offensive numbers, registering 14 goals and 28 assists in 151 career NHL games.
During the recent playoffs, he scored one goal in six games for Dallas. His restricted free agent status in July will give the Sharks his arbitration rights. The Sharks hope Dellandrea's physicality and penalty-killing abilities will offer a well-rounded support system for integrating younger talent into their lineup.
Strategic Foresight for Future Success
The San Jose Sharks' recent acquisitions of Goodrow and Dellandrea are moves underscored by strategic foresight. General Manager Mike Grier's attention to blending seasoned veterans with emerging talent marks an effort to create a balanced and competitive team. The intent is to provide a foundation of experience to help nurture young prospects like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. These calculated roster adjustments signal a commitment to both immediate improvement and sustainable future success.
Barclay Goodrow's return is particularly noteworthy. As Brandon Magnus from NHLI via Getty Images pointed out, “Barclay Goodrow scored 26 goals and notched 45 assists in six seasons with the San Jose Sharks.” His experience and leadership will be invaluable assets as the Sharks navigate a new era with a blend of youth and experience.
In summary, the Sharks are not merely building a team for now but are carefully piecing together a squad that can develop and compete over the coming years. With veterans like Goodrow and young talents such as Celebrini and Smith, San Jose appears poised to re-establish itself as a formidable presence in the NHL.