Ben Shelley: Sharks should have dealt Joe Thornton at the trade deadline

The Sharks should have fired Doug Wilson the day he signed EK to that monstrous deal

The Sharks should have fired Doug Wilson the day he signed EK to that monstrous deal
- stay@home-guy

The Sharks should have fired Doug Wilson the day he signed EK to that monstrous deal
- stay@home-guy

There are a few deals that they should have beaten him with a wiffleball bat for. EK deal is still making my head spin. I have a feeling he will be inquired often just like Havlat.

Just out of curiosity, how was the signing of Thornton received when it happened? From the outside, I didn't understand why they did it unless there weren't any options in the minors that were thought to be strong enough to play in the NHL.

Is he really good enough to play, or is it more of a symbolic thing?

i have a feeling the answer to this question is the same reason I can't seem to sell my 1996 Hyundai Pony for $10,000.

I'm guessing the asking price (trade) was too high, and team weren't willing to pay it. Why would the other team trade away a pick for an old, expensive, 3rd line center, in his decline. You'd then have to insert Thornton into the lineup and potentially take playoff experience away from a young player with future potential (never mind the much smaller salary).

There may not have been any suitors in the first place.

i have a feeling the answer to this question is the same reason I can't seem to sell my 1996 Hyundai Pony for $10,000.

I'm guessing the asking price (trade) was too high, and team weren't willing to pay it. Why would the other team trade away a pick for an old, expensive, 3rd line center, in his decline. You'd then have to insert Thornton into the lineup and potentially take playoff experience away from a young player with future potential (never mind the much smaller salary).

There may not have been any suitors in the first place.
- Nelson19777

you then lower your price.

i have a feeling the answer to this question is the same reason I can't seem to sell my 1996 Hyundai Pony for $10,000.

I'm guessing the asking price (trade) was too high, and team weren't willing to pay it. Why would the other team trade away a pick for an old, expensive, 3rd line center, in his decline. You'd then have to insert Thornton into the lineup and potentially take playoff experience away from a young player with future potential (never mind the much smaller salary).

There may not have been any suitors in the first place.
- Nelson19777

It was reported that there were multiple teams interested, plus considering the Penguins gave up a third-round pick for Marleau, I'd imagine the Sharks certainly could've fetched a decent pick for Thornton. But yes, I do imagine they were asking for too much in return, like you said.

As for the playoff experience part though, a team who's truly looking to contend probably wouldn't have player development for their young forwards as a priority over winning.

Hi Ben;

I suspect that the major issue wasn't price but that the teams that were offering were not Cup Contenders in Jumbo's eyes and he had no desire to go to those teams...

Hi Ben;

I suspect that the major issue wasn't price but that the teams that were offering were not Cup Contenders in Jumbo's eyes and he had no desire to go to those teams...
- hockeygm

That's also a possibility for sure, though I took it from his quotes that it seemed like he'd rather at least get a chance than miss the playoffs altogether. But yeah, that could've been a factor.

At the time of the Erik Karlsson trade most of the hockey world thought Wilson won that trade. Especially here in Ottawa. Karlsson was the best defenseman I have ever seen. There was no choice for the Sharks, they had to sign him to a long term contract. Just imagine the outrage if Wilson let him walk.

DW sucks lol

At the time of the Erik Karlsson trade most of the hockey world thought Wilson won that trade. Especially here in Ottawa. Karlsson was the best defenseman I have ever seen. There was no choice for the Sharks, they had to sign him to a long term contract. Just imagine the outrage if Wilson let him walk.
- Barrykerr1

What outrage? A terrible GM letting a 32 y/o injury prone D man to 8 years??

Go away. DW is horrible.

What outrage? A terrible GM letting a 32 y/o injury prone D man to 8 years??

Go away. DW is horrible.
- DutchCanSaveUs

It was a risky signing. When Karlsson is on though - damn he can control a game.

That said - the signing made me cringe... not because of dollar, term, injury history (which I think isn't quite as bad as people make it out to be), etc... It's the pile of large unmovable contracts that Karlsson's contract was thrown on the top of (Vlassic, Burns, Kane, Jones).

Vlassic and Jones' contracts are both looking especially bad right now. Vlassic's game has gone to hell and is there a worse starting goalie in the NHL?