Photo: USA Today

As announced by GM Doug Wilson, the San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators have agreed to a trade. The Sharks traded away Tommy Wingels in return for Buddy Robinson and Zack Stortini as well as a 7th round pick in the 2017 draft.

Tommy Wingels had spent his whole career with San Jose after being drafted in the 2008 draft in the 6th round as the 177th overall pick. Through his seven seasons with the Sharks, Wingels played 337 games and recorded 51 goals and 71 assists for 221 points. His final game with the club was against the Colorado Avalanche in the 5-2 San Jose win. His key stat was an average of 40% in the faceoff circle something which the Senators will look to utilize in his arrival to Ottawa. Wingels this season played 37 games scoring five goals and dished out three assists for eight total points. Two of his goals were game-winners.

The franchise expansion draft at the conclusion of this season could have been a strong factor for the trade. Las Vegas may have considered him as a third or fourth line centermen. The excellent play by the AHL Club’s players was also a factor in the trade with Timo Meier, Kevin Labanc and Ryan Carpenter making impacts in the NHL club this season. The cap on Wingels contract had a fee of 2.45 that would be paid at the end of this season when his contract expires. Wingels can also become a free agent July 1st, 2017 which may result in another relocation depending how he does with Ottawa.

Both players acquired will be assigned to the AHL Club the San Jose Barracuda. Zack Stortini is a 31-year-old veteran who has played both in the AHL and NHL. He played with the Oilers and most recently (2011-2012) with the Predators in the NHL. Since then he has played in the AHL. Stortini did not have very high offensive stats as he’s more of an enforcer. In his NHL career, he has played 257 games, scoring 14 goals and assisting 27 times for 41 points. He, however, has 725 penalty minutes. The Sharks may utilize him for limited games maybe on emergency call ups to add some muscle to the lineup. Buddy Robinson seems to be the more attractive player acquired. He has played seven games in the NHL with the Ottawa four this season and three last season. He has two NHL points one goal and one assist. Robinson has seven goals and five assists this season with Binghamton (AHL) in the 33 games played.

Then there is the 7th round pick the Sharks also acquired from the Senators. Depending the scouting of San Jose may acquire a very good player. With the deadline coming up soon, the Sharks could also sweeten a trade by adding the pick to the negotiation. As the season moves along San Jose could call up Robinson and Stortini to use in the NHL but as of right now they will continue to play in the AHL.

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January 24, 2017