The San Jose Sharks and their fans are bored with losing. A two-year stay within the NHL basement will make anyone go mad. One can only trust the method for thus long.
A swift surge is unlikely to return through the 2025-26 season, but general manager Mike Grier is actively attempting to speed up the rebuild while also instilling the young players with invaluable wisdom they will use in the longer term. He just signed forward Jeff Skinner to a one-year contract value $3 million, per the team.
San Jose’s veteran movement continues with the addition of the 33-year-old native of Toronto. He’s coming off a 2024-25 season during which he failed to satisfy expectations.
Initially tapped to be a significant member of the Edmonton Oilers’ attack, Skinner was hardly an element through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He continues to be a capable scorer, though, which Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky will ideally make good use of next season.
Will the Sharks’ latest moves give them a lift next season?
The 2010 first-round draft pick and 2011 Calder Memorial Trophy winner is available in with a ton of experience, a recurring theme that has come to define the franchise’s offseason up to now. Grier has increased the common age of the roster by a substantial amount along with his recent acquisitions.
Jeff Skinner and Nick Leddy have each played greater than 1,000 games of their respective careers. Ryan Reaves may soon join them in that esteemed club. Dmitry Orlov sits at 867.
This group of newcomers has seen all of it during their time within the NHL. In the event that they are willing, these veterans must have infinite tricks to share with Macklin Celebrini, William Eklund, Will Smith and the remainder of San Jose’s young core. Skinner can even be tasked with sharing his scoring prowess. He recorded 16 of his 373 profession goals with the Oilers last season.
The retooling Sharks still have a protracted technique to go before crossing into relevance, but they clearly have a plan in place. While time will tell whether it is the appropriate one, it at the least conveys a way of urgency.
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