San Jose Sharks Bolster Forward Depth with Strategic Moves
On Wednesday, the San Jose Sharks made significant progress in fortifying their forward lines, as they strategically look to facilitate an impending youth movement within the team. The Sharks successfully claimed Barclay Goodrow off waivers from the New York Rangers and completed a trade with the Dallas Stars to acquire Ty Dellandrea.
These acquisitions are set to play a pivotal role in transitioning high-potential prospects such as Macklin Celebrini, projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, and Will Smith, picked fourth overall last year.
Barclay Goodrow Returns
Barclay Goodrow's return to San Jose is not just about adding depth; his presence comes with a wealth of playoff experience that could be invaluable for the younger players. General Manager Mike Grier had been actively seeking seasoned veterans who could offer guidance and mentorship to the team's emerging talents.
Goodrow previously spent six seasons with the Sharks, scoring 26 goals and registering 45 assists. His journey since leaving San Jose has been impressive, with notable performances for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers. He has been instrumental in several deep playoff runs, including scoring an unforgettable overtime goal in Game 7 of the first round against Vegas in 2019, helping San Jose advance to the Western Conference Finals. Goodrow was also a critical contributor to Tampa Bay's back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2020 and 2021 and played a key role in the Rangers' journey to the Eastern Conference Finals over the last two seasons.
Over his career, which began in the NHL in 2014, the Toronto native has accumulated 169 points in 572 regular-season games and added 24 more points in 97 playoff games. The Sharks' decision to bring him back was also influenced by financial considerations, saving the Rangers $3.6 million against the salary cap each of the next three seasons—a move that required calculated risk for San Jose.
Adding Ty Dellandrea
To further strengthen their roster, the Sharks acquired Ty Dellandrea from the Dallas Stars. Dellandrea played 42 games for Dallas 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 the 13th overall pick by Dallas in 2018, Dellandrea has yet to fully translate his draft potential into significant offensive numbers. Throughout his career, he has tallied 14 goals and 28 assists in 151 NHL games and logged four goals in 24 playoff games. During the recent playoffs, he scored one goal in six games for Dallas.
Dellandrea’s pending restricted free agent status in July gives the Sharks his arbitration rights, which offers additional leverage moving forward. The Sharks hope that Dellandrea's physicality and proficiency in penalty killing will provide a robust support system for integrating the younger talent into their lineup.
Strategic Foresight and Balanced Roster Planning
The recent acquisitions of Goodrow and Dellandrea reflect a strategic foresight by the Sharks' management. General Manager Mike Grier's approach of blending seasoned veterans with emerging talents aims to create a balanced and competitive team. This move is designed not only for immediate improvements but also for sustainable future success.
The Sharks are particularly focused on establishing a foundation of experience to nurture young prospects like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, ensuring a smooth transition as they step onto the NHL stage. Bringing back experienced players like Goodrow provides immediate benefits in terms of leadership and performance. As noted by Brandon Magnus from NHLI via Getty Images, "Barclay Goodrow scored 26 goals and notched 45 assists in six seasons with the San Jose Sharks."
Overall, the Sharks' calculated roster adjustments signal a strong commitment to both short-term performance and long-term development, hinting at a bright future for the team as they navigate this pivotal period of transition and growth.