Before delving into anything else, it’s important to establish that the 2020 NHL trade deadline was unlike any other for Doug Wilson across the last decade.
Instead of adding the final complementary pieces to a usual contender, the Sharks general manager's maneuvering would be measured by subtraction, flexibility gained, and draft picks coming back.
Here are select perspectives from what did -- and did not -- happen today.
Joe Thornton stays
On the outside, it may seem confusing that Joe Thornton remained with San Jose. If given the chance to leapfrog his way to the front of Stanley Cup contention, why didn’t he capitalize?
The opportunities to contribute in Boston (where he started) or Dallas (alongside Joe Pavelski) must have been enticing. Also, why, at 40 years old, would he elect to spend the remaining twenty games of this season with a Sharks core decimated by injuries?
Between quotes you will and won’t read, know this: Thornton is a loyalist. He always has taken “hometown discounts” to stay in San Jose, potentially missing out on an eight-digit haul over the years by routinely taking less money to re-sign with the Sharks. But more importantly, he already is aiming for a return in San Jose next season, something that is usually reserved for summer declaration.
San Jose Sharks
There also is some possibility that in the end, Boston and Dallas couldn’t align with San Jose on the right compensation package. The Bruins already made their splash three days ago, acquiring Ondrej Kase from Anaheim, and the Stars stood completely pat at the deadline.
Patrick Marleau leaves
It’s been a weird stretch for Patrick Marleau, who joins his fourth NHL team since the end of last regular season with his trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is especially so for a player who spent the previous 19 campaigns only with San Jose.
It’s no surprise he bit on what Thornton did not, becoming part of the league’s fifth-best point-producer in Pittsburgh -- certainly one of the bonafide favorites for the Cup. The ability to play alongside Sidney Crosby also had to factor into the equation, along with Marleau’s childhood fascination with the Pens.
According to CapFriendly.com, Marleau’s one-year deal for this season did not include any movement clauses. But it’s difficult to imagine he resisted this transaction, which includes a conditional second or third-round pick for the Sharks in 2021.
Additionally, it’s believed that the door will remain open for Marleau to re-sign in San Jose next season.
Barclay Goodrow traded
Goodrow, Brenden Dillon, and Marleau arguably were three of San Jose’s better storylines this season. To no surprise, that’s what Tampa Bay, Washington and Pittsburgh sought after.
As for Goodrow, his versatility and upside with the Sharks this season was tangible, helping net a 2020 first-round pick from the Lightning in return. He also is under contract for next season for less than $1 million.
While the high draft selection could greatly benefit San Jose over time, the team certainly is a lot less deep in the present. Down an every-line center like Goodrow, who also was a mainstay on their top-tier penalty killing unit, will be tough to recover from in the short term.
Still, Goodrow leaves the franchise a hero after having scored arguably it’s most important goal, the overtime winner in Game 7 against Vegas, less than one year ago.
Aaron Dell stays
He wasn’t commonly discussed on the forefront of trade rumors, and certainly, the market for goalie movement wasn’t overwhelming. But Dell certainly did enough in recent months to prove his stock in this league, and maybe even land as a team’s No. 1 next season.
The Sharks either couldn’t find a great enough return for Dell, or a committed suitor, or they feel there is an inside track to retain him for next season. If that’s the case, it creates the interesting dilemma that the Sharks already have Martin Jones signed until 2024, at a starter-sized cap hit.
[RELATED: Marleau can fill hole on résumé after trade from Sharks]
Did the Sharks do enough?
Clearly, work remains with the Sharks in terms of reshaping their roster. While restocking draft picks for this and next year do help down the road, did they get better or more cap-flexible across the next two seasons? Does this force them into a longer rebuild, much lengthier than the more expeditious re-tools we have seen in recent years?
Historically, this team has made it’s higher profile moves in summer months, such as Brent Burns, Dany Heatley and Dan Boyle. By not committing to any major transactions today, all the Sharks did was set themselves up for a bigger agenda come July and beyond.