Sharks roster taking shape

The San Jose Sharks filled their goaltender vacancy by signing 30-year-old Antero Niittymaki to a 2-year deal worth $4 million. Niittymaki will get a shot at the Sharks starting job in goal and he’s had experience in that position, at least more so than either Thomas Greiss or Alex Stalock.

When the Sharks were eliminated from they playoffs, it looked as though their roster for next season would be radically different. However, GM Doug Wilson obviously decided he’d like to retain as much of the team that took them to the conference finals as possible.

Changes have been made, but not to the extent many expected. Evgeni Nabokov’s space will be filled with Niittymaki. Rob Blake retired. Manny Malhotra got a lucrative deal from the Canucks and won’t be back.

As of right now this is a possible scenario for Todd McLellan’s lineup card:

Patrick Marleau- Joe Thornton- Dany Heatley

Ryane Clowe- Joe Pavelski- (Devin Setoguchi)

Jamie McGinn- Logan Couture- Torrey Mitchell

??????- Scott Nichol- ?????

Dan Boyle- Douglas Murray

Marc-Edouard Vlasic- Nicklas Wallin

Kent Huskins- ?????

Antero Niittymaki

Thomas Greiss

All things considered, it looks like virtually the same lineup.

This is just a few days into free agency. There’s still some holes on the Sharks roster that need addressing. Some of which will be filled internally but never mistake Wilson for someone who shy’s away from big trades.

The past two offseason’s Wilson has gotten the Sharks their biggest need to reach the next level through trades.

Two years ago Wilson managed to pry defense-man Dan Boyle from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Matt Carle, former 1st-round prospect Ty Wishart, a 1st round pick and a 4th round pick. Boyle filled a glaring need for an offensive defense-man that Sharks fans got a taste of for 30 or so games with Brian Campbell only to see him leave.

Last summer it was Dany Heatley that came out to the coast from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a 2nd-round pick. Heatley was brought in at the time to provide that consistent scoring threat when the playoffs came around. In this situation, Wilson’s hands weren’t exactly tied. The team he had just got knocked out of the first round after a President’s Trophy-winning season.

Besides the fact that Wilson has a habit of giving away draft picks to his own delight, it’s obvious how he felt each off-season. He saw opportunities that could potentially improve the team in a way he couldn’t through free agency or internally.

This year the void isn’t as obvious. The team needed minor tinkering but that’s more because of financial contraints than a missing piece.

The emergence of prospects like Logan Couture, Jamie McGinn, Jason Demers, Frazer McLaren and others also instilled more confidence in Wilson. He doesn’t necessarily have to fill spaces with veteran players in free agency who might cost the team more.

Couture in particular is expected to have a much bigger role in the coming season. The initial assumption is that he’ll take over a lot of Manny Malhotra’s responsibilities.

McLaren is might take over the enforcer role with Jody Shelley and Brad Staubitz finding their names on new teams.

The Sharks still need to get a contract worked out with Devin Setoguchi but it’s clear that both parties would like to keep him in San Jose. If this deal gets done the Sharks will have their top six forwards for another season.

Assuming Setoguchi doesn’t get overpaid, there may be a couple million dollars worth of wiggle room to add to the roster.

Another defenseman or a bottom six forward wouldn’t hurt. This is where Wilson’s trading ability comes in handy.

Trading may allow the team to unload contracts like Torrey Mitchell’s and Kent Huskins’ that have been deemed overpayment for what they provide. Each player is easily replaceable as well.

The Sharks have been tied to the multiple Tomas Kaberle rumors and before being waived they were said to be interested in Sheldon Souray as well. Both of those cases would involve hefty salaries coming to San Jose.

As far as the remaining free agents are concerned, there have been rumors about bringing back Owen Nolan to San Jose.