San Jose Sharks: Draft and Free Agency Update

What an exciting last couple of weeks this has been! First began the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, where exciting young prospects were selected, and then began the opportunity to sign players with a "free agency" status. While the Sharks still have some decisions to make concerning their 2010-2011 team, as general manager Doug Wilson aims to create a roster rife with playoff success.

Perhaps the largest piece of news, aside from the last update where Evgeni Nabokov's departure and Patrick Marleau/Joe Pavelski's re-signing were announced, the Sharks have signed a new goaltender: Antero Niittymaki of Finland - a two-year contract for $2 million per year. Previously playing for both the Philadelphia Flyers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, he is mostly noted for leading Team Finland to the silver medal during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy (where he was also voted the tournament MVP). Nabokov, meanwhile, has returned to the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League, in Russia), where he, today, signed a four year contract with the SKA St. Petersburg team. Best of luck to him there!

As far as the draft picks from the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, here are the Sharks' selections (hat tip to sharkspage.com for the names and stats):

1st round (28th overall) – Charlie Coyle
Position: RW/C
Birthplace: Boston, MA
Size: 6-foot-2, 202-pounds
Shoots: Right

3rd round (88th overall) – Max Gaede
Position: RW
Birthplace: Maryland, MN
Size: 6-foot-2, 187-pounds
Shoots: Right

5th round (127th overall) – Cody Ferriero
Position: C
Birthplace: Boston, MA
Size: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds
Shoots: Right

5th round (129th overall) – Freddie Hamilton
Position: C
Birthplace: Toronto, ON
Size: 6-foot-1, 187-pounds
Shoots: Right

5th round (136th overall) – Isaac MacLeod
Position: D
Birthplace: Nelson, BC
Size: 6-foot-4, 205-pounds
Shoots: Left

6th round (163rd overall) – Konrad Abeltshauser
Position: D
Birthplace: Bad Tolz, Germany
Size: 6-foot-5, 190-pounds
Shoots: Left

7th round (188th overall) – Lee Moffie
Position: D
Birthplace: Wallingford, CT
Size: 6-foot-1, 200-pounds
Shoots: Left

7th round (200th overall) – Chris Crane
Position: RW
Birthplace: Virginia Beach, VA
Size: 6-foot-0, 189-pounds
Shoots: Right

Here's hoping the Sharks can utilize both their veterans and new talent this upcoming year. Although I am confident we can make playoffs again, we need to win, plain and simple.

Hopefully the Sharks can make a couple more good moves before the free agency and trading period ends. Currently, there are quite a bit of high-valued trades/signings going on, although mostly rumored. The hottest topics right now in the NHL concerning free agents are Mike Modano (the greatest American player ever, now dropped by the Stars and very likely to sign with the Red Wings), Ilya Kovalchuk (2001 first pick and solid player having issues choosing between the Devils and the Kings; that and his high salary demand), and for San Jose fans, Owen Nolan (arguably one of the best Sharks players who is rumored, albeit somewhat unlikely, to come back to play at the Tank).

Here is to the upcoming season!