Paul Gackle of The Mercury News: With Joe Thornton out for at least six weeks, Sharks GM Doug Wilson needs to resist the urge to make a major deal before the trade, even if their playoff hopes start to fade.
Rumors will surface linking the Sharks to the likes of Max Pacioretty, Evander Kane, and Mike Hoffman.
All three would provide offense left by Thornton’s absence, but the cost to acquire is high, likely a couple of top prospects.
The Sharks have gone the draft and develop approach the past few years, and those players are starting to emerge now: Timo Meier, Kevin Lebanc, Joakim Ryan, Dylan DeMelo, and Tim Heed
The Sharks will potentially have around $23 million in cap space this offseason to chase free agents if they so choose.