Sharks Need to Trade for a Goal Scorer

The trade deadline for the NHL is on Monday and I wonder if the San Jose Sharks are going to make any more moves to improve the team. If I am Sharks General Manager, Doug Wilson, I would try to get a goal scorer.

            Rumors have surfaced that the team is looking into acquiring Rick Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets. He’s a goal scorer I wouldn’t mind having as long as we don’t have to give up guys like Joe Pavelski or Logan Couture. However, considering he has a high salary cap hit I have a hard time believing Wilson will be able to fit him under the team’s cap without giving up half of the Sharks’ players. 

            The Sharks don’t necessarily need Nash to make the team better. They just need a top forward line goal scorer. A player who can team up with Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, and Patrick Marleau to put pucks in the net. A player Joe Thornton can make great passes to. In general, a player who can boost the team’s offense. Lately, the Sharks have been losing games where the team only scores two goals. If the Sharks’ defense continues to give up as many goals as it has been, the team is going to need another scorer.

            Wilson already made a trade for a third line forward in Dominic Moore, but he’s not someone who is going to score goals at a rate of a first or second line forward. If Wilson doesn’t acquire a goal scorer, then he’s probably relying on Martin Havlat’s return from the injured reserve to stimulate the Sharks’ offense.

            I think the Sharks are taking a huge risk if they rely on Havlat to score goals. This year, Havlat has only scored two goals in 26 games, not exactly impressive. Plus, the guy breaks as easily as glass. He’s already been on injured reserve twice this year. His last injury came from jumping off his bench onto the ice and falling.  Who is to say he won’t get injured in another freak accident? It wouldn’t surprise me if he tore his hamstring tripping on a banana peel. Havlat’s inconsistency and injuries are more reasons for the Sharks to get another goal scorer. If they don’t, they will regret it.