The San Jose Sharks are in the middle of a complete rebuild, but there is some hope for the future. With the team landing top draft picks in each of the last few years, the franchise may finally be able to get back to Stanley Cup contention.
Entering this offseason, San Jose has a lot of work to do with the roster. The team has young stars Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund to work with, but they will need more veteran experience to take that next step.
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One name for San Jose to consider is Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets, who is scheduled to be a free agent. NHL writer Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report listed the Sharks as a landing spot for Ehlers in free agency, linking the two sides.
“Adding another veteran scoring winger would provide the Sharks with two solid scoring lines. It would also enable them to move promising Will Smith off right wing and into the second-line center position. Nikolaj Ehlers could be a good fit here. The 29-year-old left wing is completing a six-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets worth an average annual value of $6 million. He does have an injury history but is also a reliable scoring forward, netting 55 points or more in six of his 10 NHL seasons.”
Toronto Maple Leafs center Mitch Marner (16) skates with the puck as Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) tries to defend during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Ehlers could bring some stability to this young Sharks team. The veteran was crucial to the Jets winning the Presidents’ Trophy this year, scoring 24 goals and 39 assists.
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Putting him alongside some of the young players that the Sharks do have could be a recipe for success. San Jose has goals of getting back to the postseason, and adding a talent like Ehlers could help fast-track the rebuild process fully.
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