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On Wednesday, the San Jose Sharks made strategic moves to bolster their forward depth, preparing for an impending youth movement within the team.
The Sharks claimed Barclay Goodrow off waivers from the New York Rangers and completed a trade with the Dallas Stars to acquire Ty Dellandrea. These acquisitions aim to facilitate the transition for the projected No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, Macklin Celebrini, and Will Smith, who was picked fourth overall last year.
Goodrow Returns to San Jose
Barclay Goodrow's return to the Sharks not only provides the team with depth but also brings invaluable playoff experience. General Manager Mike Grier had been actively looking for veteran forwards to guide the younger players.
Goodrow previously spent six seasons with San Jose, scoring 26 goals and notching 45 assists. His journey has included successful stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers. He has been a key component in several deep playoff runs, contributing to Tampa Bay's back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2020 and 2021 and aiding the Rangers' journey to the Eastern Conference Finals over the last two years. The Toronto native has amassed 169 points in 572 regular-season games and added 24 more points in 97 playoff games since his NHL debut in 2014.
Notably, in 2019, Goodrow scored an iconic overtime goal in Game 7 of the first round against Vegas, helping San Jose reach the Western Conference Finals. His playoff experience is expected to be crucial for the Sharks, particularly in mentoring the younger players as they make their way into the league.
Claiming Goodrow also has financial implications for the Rangers, saving them $3.6 million against the salary cap for each of the next three seasons. Taking on Goodrow's contract was a calculated risk by the Sharks, who see his experience as invaluable for the team.
Adding Depth with Ty Dellandrea
In addition to Goodrow, the Sharks have added another layer of depth by acquiring Ty Dellandrea from the Dallas Stars. Dellandrea played 42 games for the Stars this season, contributing two goals and seven assists. He ranked sixth among forwards on his team with 63 hits and was fifth in penalty-kill time among Stars forwards.
Despite being picked 13th overall by Dallas in 2018, Dellandrea has not yet translated his draft potential into significant offensive numbers. He has registered 14 goals and 28 assists in 151 career NHL games and recorded four goals in 24 career playoff games. During the recent playoffs, he scored one goal in six games for Dallas.
Dellandrea's physicality and penalty-killing abilities are expected to offer a well-rounded support system for integrating younger talent into the Sharks' lineup. His restricted free agent status in July will give the Sharks his arbitration rights, providing them with some leverage in future negotiations.
Strategic Roster Adjustments
The recent acquisitions of Goodrow and Dellandrea highlight a strategic foresight within the Sharks organization. General Manager Mike Grier's focus on blending seasoned veterans with emerging talent marks an effort to create a balanced and competitive team. The intent is to provide a foundation of experience to help nurture young prospects like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.
These calculated roster adjustments signal a commitment to both immediate improvement and sustainable future success. The Sharks are aiming to form a team that can compete effectively while also fostering the development of their promising young players.
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"Barclay Goodrow scored 26 goals and notched 45 assists in six seasons with the San Jose Sharks," noted Brandon Magnus from NHLI via Getty Images.
By combining veteran presence with young talent, the Sharks are setting the stage for an exciting future. The efforts to balance the roster with experienced players like Goodrow and physical assets like Dellandrea are strategic moves that promise to pay dividends in guiding the team's new generation of stars.