Sharks Trade Dylan Sadowy
Waiting for Barrie Colts forward Dylan Sadowy to sign with the San Jose Sharks has drawn much interest over the past few weeks and that wait has come to an end. The Sharks traded Sadowy’s rights to the Detroit Red Wings earlier today for a 2017 third round Entry Draft pick.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have acquired prospect Dylan Sadowy from San Jose for a third-round draft pick in 2017. pic.twitter.com/kAyys8W2aQ
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) May 26, 2016
Dylan Sadowy originally was drafted by San Jose in the third round and 81st overall at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. In his draft year, he recorded 27 goals and only nine assists to go with 69 penalty minutes. Such a lopsided goal-to-assist ratio happens in the CHL and is cause for pause, but the Sharks saw a player with a goal-scoring ability to match his team-first mentality. Even in his draft year, Sadowy was known as a 200-foot player, taking defensive roles seriously and an emerging goal-scorer that likely play in the middle of a team’s lineup with a few years of development.
Now at age 20, standing at a robust 6’1 and 195 pounds, the Sharks had until June 1st to agree to terms with their 2014 third round selection before he re-entered the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Something apparently went awry, as the Sharks now have lost two years of development time, trading their 2014 third round pick in Sadowy for a draft pick in next year’s Entry Draft.
The move was a bold one by Sharks general manager Doug Wilson. If you have a player that is rightfully coveted by rival clubs yet will not sign his entry-level deal, it makes sense to received some asset back. The Sharks traded many of their picks away for players currently involved in their first-ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Getting a draft pick back will help the manage the 50 contract limit as well as keep a role open for new Shark forward Marcus Sorensen with the San Jose Barracuda.
Sadowy and the Sharks Prospect Logjam
The Sharks have a large contingent of players and prospects under contract already. The list is long: Matt Nieto, Chris Tierney, Joonas Donskoi, and Tomas Hertl are already NHL regulars, while Nikolai Goldobin and Barclay Goodrow saw limited action with the Sharks in addition to being top-line players during the Barracuda’s inaugural season. Timo Meier, Adam Helewka, and Daniel O’Regan all likely move to the AHL next year as well.
Looking at the standing room-only list in front of a player like Sadowy, perhaps it is not surprising he elected not to sign his ELC with San Jose. His ability to score goals and provide grit to a roster is unquestionable, but there is a legitimate question of where on the roster he would go. San Jose historically has drafted well in the later rounds, and suddenly there is a glut of talented players under 25 years of age, some already making significant contributions to a team playing for the Stanley Cup. A player with still some time and influence of where he wants to get his career underway might see that and take stock of options available. The opportunity in Detroit must have been a much better option for him, and Sadowy quickly signed with his new club.
Sadowy has agreed to terms on his entry-level contract with DET: https://t.co/UyKGLezI8a
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 26, 2016
Of course, a trade is far from ideal when discussing a prospect of this caliber, but recouping some asset is better than losing two years of development time on a third round prospect. Wilson avoided the least favorable outcome, losing Sadowy, almost assuredly, while recouping some of the investment. Time will tell if the Sharks can again find a gem in the third round.
Main Photo.
