My Head Is Spinning
February 7th, 2010, 3:05 pm
The Wallin deal was a done deal, then dead. And now, after we got word this morning the deal for Wallin is back on, we get word just now that the deal is already complete. Sharks get Wallin and a 2010 5th round pick in exchange for the 2nd round pick we got from Buffalo in the Craig Rivet deal. We’ve covered some stuff about Wallin in the posts below, so I invite you to read them. But my main reaction is this- meh. I’ve heard some say that Wallin is a steady defensemen, and I’ve heard some rumors that say the management (and fans) in Carolina couldn’t wait to get rid of him. Given Carolina is in the cellar right now, that doesn’t sound like a good thing. Also given he played for Carolina, that means we haven’t seen much of Wallin, and only those with a rehab-worthy Center Ice habit would be able to speak about his play this year intelligently.
For me, that means I’m reserving judgment on this deal for at least five games. Just to recap a quick thing I said in the recent podcast- if the Sharks are trying to replace Boyle and Vlasic with trades, that will be a fruitless effort. Pointless. The Sharks cannot go deep in the playoffs with those guys injured. However, as we’ve said ad nauseum all year, the defense is the weak link on the team. Even though we’ve advocated getting a #2 or #3 guy, this deal may work out well. It’s possible Wallin may be a vast improvement to the #5 spot, and it’s also possible that the Sharks aren’t done making trades. What do you think?
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The reaction I’m seeing from Carolina fans isn’t that mixed – they seem genuinely sad that Wallin is moving on. Kevin Allen from USA Today tweeted “Good move by Sharks to bolster defense”. So, I’m with Mike, let’s wait and see the man in person and see if he can something to this blueline. My gut says DW isn’t over, he’s seen the defensive liabilities and against our predictions – he’s going to do something about it.
Interesting note per Pollack…
DW said they “wanted to add to this team without subtracting”. That at least indicates to me that DW might intend on going into the PO’s with this roster in tact.
I wonder if anything can be drawn from that or am I reading too much into that statement?
I think Carolina fans are sad to see Wallin go for sentimental reasons, not because he’s still a productive player.
DW always overvalues his own players and that’s why he prefers to keep his flawed roster intact. After watching the Pens/Caps game today and seeing how aggressively both teams played, I think DW still needs to add players who can bring such intensity to the Sharks. How about Jan Hejda, Fedor Tyutin and Raffi Torres for Clowe, Vlasic, Joslin and Moore.
i think this is a safe move for everyone involved. DW gets a little blue line insurance without giving too much up in exchange and Wallin gets to test the waters at the end of the year…..just like he wanted.
having not given up anything material for Walllin could mean more arrows in the quiver for a trade (if necessary) closer to the deadline.