San Jose Sharks General Marager Ryan Schnell, who has been searching for a superstar right wing for days, finally pulled the trigger on a blockbuster deal. After having a trade with Phoenix fall though, Schnell looked to Vancouver and in the largest trade in franchise history, the San Jose Sharks aquired right winger Todd Bertuzzi from the Vancouver Canucks. Also included in the deal was rough and tumble defenseman Marek Malik. Heading to Vancouver was Johnathan Cheechoo, Kyle Mclaren, Christian Ehrhoff, and a 4th round pick in 2005.
"Obviously we hard to pay a price, but we feel that Bertuzzi fills a huge hole in this organization" stated Schnell. Ever since the Owen Nolan trade two years ago, the Sharks were left without a power forward in the organization. They drafted Steve Bernier in the 2003 draft and now with the aquisition of Bertuzzi, the Sharks are set for years to come. Schnell feels Bertuzzi is the ideal linemate for Patrick Marleau.
"Bertuzzi will create time and space for Marleau to use his blazing speed at will. He can also be an effective passer to feed the puck to Marleau." said Schnell
Moments before the Bertuzzi deal, Schnell completed another major trade. Bryan Berard came to San Jose in exchange for defenseman Tom Preissing, prospect Mike Morris, and San Jose's 1st round selection in the 2004 draft. Yet another hole was filled by this aquisition. After years of struggling with a mediocre power play, San Jose finally has a proven quarterback who can move the puck up ice, and control the offense. Still only 27 years old, Berard fits in well with the young Sharks blueline.
In two smaller deals, the Sharks added some depth and size. The first deal saw defenseman Josef Melichar, right wing Landon Wilson, and a 4th round draft pick come to San Jose in exchange for Niko Dimitrakos and a 7th round pick. Schnell hopes Melichar, a young stay at home defenseman will evolve into a top four dman who will spend many years with San Jose. Wilson is slotted in as the fourth line right wing and will bring size and toughness to the team.
The second deal involed a defenseman as well. The St. Louis Blues sent defenseman Alexander Khavanov and right wing Mark Rycroft to the Sharks for left wing Scott Thornton and prospect Tomas Plihal. Khavanov now becomes the senior member of San Jose's defensemen and Rycroft will be used mainly as a depth winger.