For NHL teams that arent in on top free agents Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, everything is on hold.
That includes the San Jose Sharks, who signed fourth liner Adam Burish and a number of depth guys and prospects for their AHL affiliatebut nothing elsesince the free agent signing period began on July 1.
With an already thin free agent class even thinner after less than 48 hours, its looking more and more like the Sharks will have to make a bold move via the trade market, if in fact the club is serious about making a significant change or two to its roster after a disappointing and uneven season.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash remains in play, and according to the Columbus Dispatchs Aaron Portzline, San Jose has a standing offer and the Sharks remain on Nashs list of acceptable clubs.
Portzline writes:
You just know San Jose is in the weeds. The Sharks have an offer on the table. It could be sweetened.
Anyone who has been following the Nash-to-the-Sharks saga knows that Logan Couture, whom the Blue Jackets insisted upon at the trade deadline in February, is a non-starter for Doug Wilson. But that certainly doesnt mean the deal is dead. Of course, with Couture unavailable, San Jose would almost certainly have to include Joe Pavelski andor Ryane Clowe, a first round draft pick, and a goaltender or top prospect in order to land one of the leagues best goal-scorers.
San Jose Sharks
At the moment, it appears that the Blue Jackets options with Nash are fairly limited. It's hard to imagine the New York Rangers would be willing to part with young blue-chippers Chris Kreider andor Ryan McDonagh; Philadelphia doesnt seem interested in trading Sean Couturier or Brayden Schenn, and there are reports that Nash is unwilling to go to Carolina or Ottawa, two clubs that were interested in acquiring his services.
All that said, at some point the asking price for Nash should come down, especially if Parise lands with one of the teams that is interested in Nash.
But until then, we wait.