The Mystery 4th Line Center
July 10th, 2009, 8:26 am
Starved for Sharks news? Well, here goes nothin’.
On his blog, Sharks beat writer David Pollak reported that the San Jose Sharks could announce the signing of a free agent 4th line center with some “grit” to replace Marcel Goc’s role on the team. This sent my rampant speculation meter buzzing this morning and here’s some names I came up with on who this mystery man could be.
Manny Malhotra (2008-09 Columbus Blue Jackets)
We’ve talked about how Malhotra would be the desired UFA player left at this position. He was in the top ten in the entire NHL in faceoffs won last season, he kills penalties, he has some “grit”. The concern might be that he is looking for a multi-year deal, and DW might be unwilling to go there with the cap situation being what it is – but I think Mike and I are in agreement, this is clearly the best player left on the board. If we sign him, I will get an instant feeling of happiness. Contract guess: 2 years, 3M.
Michael Peca (2008-09 Columbus Blue Jackets)
Mike seemed to throw up a little bit in his mouth when I brought up Peca, but I don’t know if it would be so bad. He played 71 games last year, he plays the kill, he brings veteran leadership and “grit”. He can still be a solid 3rd/4th line guy on a good team – but if it is Peca, then that certainly spells the end for Jeremy Roenick. No room for both those guys. Contract guess: 1 year, 1.2M.
Derek Armstrong (2008-09 LA Kings)
He is an NHL 4th liner and at age 36 might not have a ton left in the tank. The major downside to Armstrong is he doesn’t play the PK and doesn’t really win faceoffs. But “grit”, yes he does add to that department. Contract guess: 1 year, 1M.
Mike Sillinger (2008-09 NY Islanders)
He has missed the better part of the last two seasons with two major hip surgeries, but IF healthy, and that is a major IF – he can be an important part of a winning team. He can win faceoffs and play the PK. Hell, he’s played for 12 different NHL teams and hasn’t made it to San Jose yet…He made 2.3M last year. No way in hell he gets that making a comback. Could be DW’s redemption project of the offseason and come on the cheap. Contract guess: 1 year, 0.5M.
Eric Perrin (2008-09 Atlanta Thrashers)
Perrin is durable, is a league leader in playing PK minutes and has won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay. He is not going back to Atlanta after begging to be traded at the deadline. He can win a faceoff and has some offensive ability, with 45 points in 2007-08. The downside is it sounds like this guy thinks he’s a 2nd line dude and craves PP time. And “grit”…not so much. This guy has zero fighting majors. Know your role, meat. Contract guess: 1 year, 1M.
Now for my educated guess. While I hope, pray and light a candle that it is Malhotra, I’m going to lower my expectation meter and go for one of these other options.
Survey says: Derek Armstrong.
The word “grit” and the fact that Armstrong has played the last six seasons on the west coast and fits the profile of the type of UFA that would be interested in coming to San Jose. He will be zero help on the PK, but he’s not a void offensively (35 points in 2007-08), will come in and play the “bodyguard” role in a middle-weight capacity for 3-4 fights a year and certainly provides “grit”. Think Scott Thornton as a center – that’s who this guy is.
Just a hunch.
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What, no Radim Vrbata trade?
Is Scott Nichol too much of a continued concussion risk to consider? He could be had for cheap, and probably a one year deal so that he can re-establish his value.
One year; $800k; grit.
The Sharks sure know how to drum up the suspense. Mystery 4th line centre with grit, reveal yourself!
Given our cap considerations, I think it’s kind of imperative that this forward brings additional skills to the table as Doug outlines above: taking draws, playing on the kill, etc. Conceivably, this team will already be carrying both Shelley and Staubitz — one-dimensional types. Given that this forward is going to cost what seems to be at least $1M, I would really like something more than “grit,” despite that being a starved ingredient for this squad — as so often is mentioned.
One interesting angle would be a guy like Malhotra or Peca, especially come playoff time. Under Babcock, Detroit likes to go top line against top line — which they can more afford to do given both Zetterberg’s and Datsyuk’s defensive prowess. San Jose followed suit and did a little bit of that this year, though they also tried some line-matching, too. Given how effective Marchant was against Thornton, it would be a nice wrinkle if San Jose could sic Malhotra or Peca against someone else’s top centre for a series. As much as I like Torrey Mitchell, I don’t think he’s that kind of player for that kind of role.
But something has to start happening with this cap. Dropping another $1-1.5M on a forward, with Mitchell still needing to sign, etc, this is getting uncomfortably tight.
Actually, I’m thinking its none other than Jeremy Roenick himself. Didn’t he say at the NHL awards he needs two weeks to think about things? Two weeks are long gone, and if he hasn’t announced retirement yet, perhaps they’re just sorting out his contract. That or he’s waiting to announce his retirement next week since this week’s thunder was stolen by Claude and Joe S.
A bit of an odd thought, but the way things are going here, it wouldn’t surprise me if the signing is JR.
Scott Nichol is an excellent call and someone I overlooked. He fits the bill on many levels. Solid PKer, good faceoff pct. and gritty. DW is certainly familiar with him after his Nashville years. His lack of size and concussions are the thumbs down part.
Travis Moen signs with the Montreal Smurfs:
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=284314
Wow Jeremy called the Scott Nichol thing right.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/sharks/2009/07/10/look-for-nashvilles-scott-nichol-to-become-the-sharks-fourth-line-center/
Interesting signing if it really is Nichol. Wouldn’t mind hearing the first chat between him and Joe T when they reunite.
I’m going to try to overlook that he’s often injured and that he’s turning 35 this year.
Wish we’d resigned Moen, but I’ll probably think otherwise when we hear his contract details.
Well done Jeremy. I think this could be a good fit and he’s certainly an upgrade over Goc and Plihal – if he can stay healthy.
Nichol took a regular shift on the Preds PK for the past four seasons, and won 54% of his faceoffs last year in 43 games. The year before he won 59.8% in 73 games, which is higher than Mr. Goc’s faceoff numbers.
So an upgrade in toughness, PK ability and face-off prowess with a reservation on his injury history. Here’s his bio on Sportsnet.ca
Assets: Has a motor that will never stop working. Doesn’t shy away from physical contact, despite his lack of size. Can take opponents off their game.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/players/Scott_Nichol/
Slow and steady, but a step in the right direction (in my opinion) in replacing dead weight in Goc on the 4th line with a guy who can make an impact. Since he made $750k last year, I’m gonna guess Jeremy is going for the double wham-ee here with calling the one year, $800k deal. Good stuff man.
As for the Moen deal – I’ll also wait to comment when we see how Gainey paid or (over)paid for his services.
According to TSN, Moen is getting $1.5M per season to play for the Montreal Midgets. Not worth that kind of scratch, especially when you don’t show up for battle in the playoffs for your new team.
For anyone that cares it appears that the winter classic will be held at Fenway Park this year.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=436742
I can’t see what other “major announcement” they could be talking about.
Nichol just signed! I love Working the corners