MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 23: Look on Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Max Pacioretty (67) during the Colorado Avalanche versus the Montreal Canadiens game on January 23, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

San Jose Sharks: Five Thoughts On SO Loss In Motown by Tim Chiasson

The San Jose Sharks have entered the rumor mill in a big way.

It’s not a coincidence that the San Jose Sharks find themselves among the rumors in the NHL right now. An injury to a player like Joe Thornton will do that do a team.

Le Journal de Montreal listed the Sharks as a possible destination for their captain, Max Pacioretty. Here’s what Le Journal had to say on the matter (the translated by me version).

“The Sharks and their core of veterans will never be able to aim for the Stanley Cup. GM Doug Wilson can’t leave anything to chance and must improve his team.

The young Timo Meier is doing a good job on the left wing, but Pacioretty could make a splash with Joe Pavelski or the playmaker Joe Thornton – who will be absent for an indefinite period.

Tomas Hertl and young center Josh Norris could intrigue Marc Bergevin.” (Le Journal de Montreal)

I’m going to assume the brash never-win-the-cup comment is lost in translation and just isn’t as savage as it seems.

I think Pacioretty would be a great get for the San Jose Sharks, but I don’t think I’d be prepared to lose Tomas Hertl in the deal.

Hertl is having a breakout season for the Sharks and is five years Patches junior. It makes no sense to put him in the deal. Josh Norris I’d be willing to let go in a non-Hertl package of sorts.

Pacioretty is struggling at 5v5 in the production department this year, but his possession is still great. His individual shot percentage at 5v5 is significantly lower than normal and he’s seeing a touch less minutes. Both contributing factors to a low P60.

This is a player worth having a conversation about for sure – regardless of Thornton’s injury. It also helps that he’s on a very underpaid contract for an additional year.

What say you, Sharks fans? Would you acquire Pacioretty? What would you be willing to part with? Let me know in the comment section.