Doug and I have been talking incessantly lately about what we think the Sharks lack – a #2 defenseman.  Doug’s “Defenseman a Week” series and the next podcast will keep you all up to date on where we stand.  Watching yesterday’s NHL Live, a new news item came down the wire- Aaron Ward of the hapless Carolina Hurricanes is on waviers.  Could this be a solution for the Sharks’ D problem?

I'm smiling only because this picture was taken before the Canes really sucked.

Almost.  Aaron Ward is a solid, experienced defenseman, who, at 36, has a pretty regular NHL gig.  This is more than I can say for many other defensemen in his age range (Marek Malik, Kyle McLaren).   Paired with Chara when he played with Boston, this is a steady guy who can get it done, winning three Cups, the latest with the Canes in 2006.  Never much of a point-producer, he is a decent goal-preventer.  Of the 6 Boston defensemen who played more than 50 games last year (Ward played 65), he’s the best in terms of even-strengh goals allowed per 60 minutes, a stat I like to use as a back-of-the-envelope calculation of defensive prowess.

So why almost?  Two reasons.

1. Not exactly what the Sharks need, and despite the recent losing streak, the Sharks are still poised to make a legitimate run at the big prize.  Trying to smash a square peg into a round hole won’t do the Sharks or Aaron Ward any good, and he could be on waivers twice in the same year just like the newest Shark, Jay Leach.
2. This should really be the first reason, because it’s more important and less flexible- cash money.  Aaron Ward is making $2.5M this year (the last year of his deal), and the Sharks just cannot afford another multimillion dollar contract.  The Worchester shuttle is currently powered by the Sharks unquenching desire for salary cap flexibility, and signing a 36 year old #4 defenseman that we wish were a #2 defenseman just compounds the problem.  Even if Ward were brought back on re-entry waivers, and the Sharks could have him for $1.25M, that’s still not quite good enough, due to reason #1.

We’re almost there.  If only the Pens would waive Kris Letang when the other 28 teams were taking a nap.  I’ll hold my breath for that.