SAN JOSE, CA – The San Jose Sharks on certain levels had a successful season but in the minds of the fans it was the Cup or bust, so when the 28th spot in the draft comes up on Friday expect the Sharks to take the best player in the draft at that time available, regardless of what position they play.
The Worcester Sharks are the AHL affiliate for San Jose. Worcester is a strong team from top to bottom and had plenty of contributors this year on the scoreboard. The San Jose Worcester exchange was extremely active this season showing the depth of the team and that there are a number of players who are on the brink of making the jump to the next level.
The Sharks are a team that is in the now, and are not rebuilding for years to come. There is a need for a goaltender now that GM Wilson has made it official that the club is going in a different direction and will not re-sign Evgeni Nabokov. There is also a need to fill the minutes Rob Blake played as well as some more grit and size on the point. Both of these positions will most likely be addressed in the free agency market or with trades. That said the with the 28th pick in the NHL entry draft the San Jose Sharks select Jeffrey Skinner from the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. Skinner is said to be the best pure goal scorer in this year’s draft. In 64 games with the Rangers Skinner netted 50 goals and finished the season with 90 points while adding another 20 in the playoffs. At the world U18 tournament he led Team Canada in scoring while playing on the 4th line. He isn’t the fastest guy on the ice nor will his size blow you away but his quick release is something that will help him excel at the next level.
Skinner comes from a good program in Kitchener and his name has been mentioned in the same sentence as former Ranger and current captain of the Philadelphia Flyers Mike Richards. If the team were to address a need it would be a defenseman. Right now the farm team has depth at forward and between the pipes. If there is a position that needs some depth it is on the point.
There is a very good chance that whomever San Jose takes will be part of a trade within the next couple of years because for the Sharks their Stanley Cup chances are as good now as they are going to be in the foreseeable future.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Contact Cam.Gore@prohockeynews.com
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