Previewing Sharks' free agent frezny

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The NHLs free agency period begins Sunday at 9am PT.At this point:- Unrestricted free agents can officially negotiate and sign with any team- Restricted free agents who have not been re-signed or received a qualifying offer can officially negotiate and sign with any team- Some NHL head coaches, assistants, and hockey staff members will have their contracts expireSharks UnsignedSan Jose has 6 players on the NHL roster who are unrestricted free agents, and all have yet to be re-signed.Doug Wilson says he has spoken with each of these players individually, but will not reveal which ones he is negotiating with before Sunday, and which ones he isnt.Wilson also made it clear that he may deal with some of these players, but only after the frenzy period begins on July 1st.F- Torrey Mitchell
F- Dominic Moore
F- Daniel Winnik
F- Brad Winchester
D- Jim Vandermeer
D- Colin WhiteShopping AroundIts no secret, the Sharks will be pursuing new blood for their penalty kill.But in that same respect, a careful balance will be necessary so that fixing one problem does not create another.San Jose is not necessarily known for announcing moves on July 1st , but typically the wheels are in motion by then.For example within hours of the window opening in 2010, Doug Wilson acquired Antero Niittymaki.Last summer by July 1st, he already had the BurnsHavlatSheppard for HeatleySetoguchi combo-deal already in place, which began its first phase of announcement on July 3rd.Essentially, the educated guess is that even if San Jose doesnt announce something within the first several hours, they likely have one or multiple agreements in place.More Than Just PlayersThe July 1st date is also a common contractual ending for many other NHL staffers, including coaches.This is important to remember in the case of San Jose, since they are likely to add an assistant the bench staff.Wilson has stated he cant get a proper evaluation of the market until he can speak with everyone; which wont happen until after July 1st.Also, it may be a matter of testing the outside market before the Sharks make an internal promotion.I recently asked if there was any pressure in a timetable, to which the GM replied there was not a mandatory date to have his staff in place. One would think that an announcement will be made in the month of July, sooner than later.Leave It To The FaithfulPart of the fun of an NHL season its true beginning, while a team is being built.The Sharks seem in line to add between 7-10 new players this year.That said, here is the question: what players do you think San Jose might acquire in the coming days and weeks?Log in and state your case below!

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