Instant Analysis: San Jose Sharks Are Wallin And Able
The San Jose Sharks added some depth to their defensive corps on Superbowl Sunday. With the playoffs approaching, the Sharks looked to shore up the D in preparation for what they hope to be a lengthy playoff run.
The Trade
To San Jose: D Niclas Wallin and a 5th Round Pick.
To Carolina: 2nd Round Pick.
From San Jose’s Standpoint
The Sharks add an experienced playoff performer in Wallin. Standing 6′3”, 220, Wallin has contributed only 5 assists this year. He is known to Hurricanes fans as “The Secret Weapon”, due to his timing with post-season goals. He has only scored three playoff goals, but all have come in overtime. The Sharks clearly value playoff performers, as they have long struggled with consistency in the playoffs. Let’s see if The Secret Weapon can provide them with some clutch goals, or at the very least, a steady presence.
From Carolina’s Standpoint
With the Hurricanes now in rebuild mode after a terrible 2009-10 season, acquiring a 2nd round pick should be the first of several draft picks the Canes acquire for expiring contracts. Wallin does not fit into Carolina’s long-term plans like Eric Staal and Cam Ward, so he was viewed as expendable. While the 2nd-rounder might fall in the 50-60 range at the draft, the Sharks are known for early playoff exits, so Carolina will hope for San Jose to again falter, which could see this pick move as high as 45th overall.
Final Thoughts
Wallin adds playoff experience and a Stanley Cup ring to the Sharks roster, and the Canes get a 2nd-round pick that will help their rebuilding effort. It’s interesting to see the Sharks move a 2nd round pick for a third-pairing defenseman, which is quite a high price. This is perhaps a precedent-setting deal leading up to the deadline, as players like Ray Whitney and Alexei Ponikarovsky have been speculated to be worth a 2nd round pick; It is possible that because Ponikarovsky and Whitney are both more valuable than Wallin, the price for rental players will increase. Although, defensemen are often pricier deadline acquisitions than forwards.
Check out our analysis of the Kovalchuk trade, as well as every subsequent deal heading towards the deadline in our Instant Analysis Archive.
