SAN JOSE – The Sharks could very well make a few more moves before Monday’s noon NHL trade deadline.
But the big splash that many fans may be hoping for considering the team’s recent poor play will likely have to wait at least a few more months.
Speaking on a conference call with reporters on Sunday regarding the trade of James Sheppard to the New York Rangers for a fourth round pick in 2016, general manager Doug Wilson said that he is “certainly listening” to offers for other players.
“There has to be mutual interest and there has to be a deal that makes sense for both sides,” Wilson said.
[RELATED: Sharks deal Sheppard to Rangers]
The only way the Sharks would make a blockbuster deal, though, would be for a player that fits for now as well as the next several seasons. It’s difficult to envision such a deal coming to fruition so soon.
“We certainly will be in a position with some assets that might be needed to explore that type of deal, and we’ll have ample cap space to be able to do that,” said Wilson, who has already identified potential targets.
“If that shows up sooner, that’s great. But, the people I’ve talked to have indicated the ones that we’re interested in are probably more in the summer, potentially around the draft or going forward, and not in the next couple of days.”
Still, some more Sheppard-type deals could blossom. Antti Niemi, Tyler Kennedy, Matt Irwin and Andrew Desjardins all have expiring contracts, although, frankly, none of those names is all that glamorous for a Stanley Cup contending team looking for depth.