Sharks, Avalanche Complete Five Player Trade

Colorado Avalanche Acquire:  Jamie McGinn Mike Connolly Michael Sgarbossa San Jose Sharks Acquire:  Daniel Winnik T.J. Galiardi Seventh-Round Draft Pick in 2012

Review:

This was one of the bigger trades in terms of the quantity of assets that were traded. A few of these players were expected to be moved, but many of these guys were thought to be unavailable. The San Jose Sharks have been struggling as of late and coming into deadline day were expected to make some trades to shake their club up. In this trade the Sharks did just that, landing some hard working players. 

In this package they get a twenty-six year old winger in Daniel Winnik who plays a very solid, effective bottom-six game. He's polished at all three forward positions, and plays a very good defensive style. He won't put up a ton of points, but he's not an offensive black whole either. He can get along offensively playing on a third-line mainly because he compensates for his slightly below average third-line production with his great defensive capabilities. He is a pending unrestricted free agent though, so he could very well be just a short-term rental. With that said his services were very high in-demand and Bob McKenzie tweeted earlier in the week that Winnik was going to be one of the more sought after depth players out there. Along with Winnik, the Sharks added another roster player in T.J. Galiardi as well. Galiardi is a twenty-three year old forward that can also play all three positions up front. He's an energetic player that has found his niche as a penalty killing, agitating bottom-six player that can put up some points. He's set to become a restricted free agent at season's end, but the Sharks should have no problem re-signing him. He fits into the Sharks current and future line-up very nicely. The Sharks also received a seventh-round draft pick in 2012. 

On the other side of the deal the Colorado Avalanche were able to land a nice package of players. In Jamie McGinn they get a big two-way forward that will be a solid replacement for Galiardi. He has some upside, but I don't think he'll be anything more than a third-line winger. Along with McGinn the Avalanche brought in two prospects. One is nineteen year old Michael Sgarbossa who is currently playing with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL. In 57 games this year he has 84 points and has been impressive with the Wolves. He's a bit undersized, but if he can transfer even a little of his offensive play to the NHL he'll be a heck of a player. The other prospect is Mike Connolly who at twenty-two years old is playing his first season in the American Hockey League after signing as a free agent with the Sharks last April. So far this season with Worcester he's put up thirty points in forty games. He's a bit undersized at 5'9, but thus far he's been able to handle the pro game. I think this will help both clubs, but in the immediate future its more beneficial for the Sharks give-in their situation.