One of the names under the radar this summer is Sharks’ defender Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who at just 28 years old has emerged as a legit top-pairing option in this league. Vlasic is a player about to enter his prime, and has begun handling big minutes for a team that routinely made the NHL’s post-season.
So, why are we talking about possibly adding this player? Well, the Sharks are in unfamiliar territory and must decide what to do with their franchise moving forward. Vlasic will likely be one of those big decisions. Would hiring Todd McLellan and offering up big time compensation be enough for Edmonton to pry him out of San Jose?
Why Is He Out There:
From here, it looks like the Sharks are about to enter a rebuild. San Jose’s core of Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are getting old, with Marleau slowing down big time and Thornton becoming discontent. Eventually, one of or both of these guys are going to get shipped out. San Jose is also losing veteran G Antti Niemi this summer, and lacks depth in a big way.
The Sharks could be one of hockey’s big drop-off teams next season, and as a result might start planning for four or five years down the road and not this coming season. It’s unlikely, but if they view it that way, they could move Vlasic for a pretty big haul.
What Does He Do Well:
Vlasic plays a very clean, mistake free style. If you sit down and watch him, you’ll notice that he rarely turns the puck over or makes a mistake in his own zone. He’s very smart, and is able to make quick decisions with the puck. His passing ability is stellar too, which allows him to get the puck out of the zone easily.
Vlasic has good speed, and is described as a mobile defender. He’s one of the few guys who could keep up with Edmonton’s fast and skilled forward corps on a power-play or during a rush into the offensive zone. The power-play, by the way, is an area he is capable of playing, as is the penalty kill.
He plays a mature game according to The Hockey News, and was used in just about every game situation by Todd McLellan while in San Jose. He’s a defender that is clearly trusted by his coaches, and who can clearly handle anything.
Marc-Edouard is capable of big time minutes too, and would easily be able to handle the rigors of the top-pairing. In San Jose, not only did he handle 20+ minutes a night, but he also played against the toughest opponents a fair amount.
He’s not a sexy name, but Marc-Edouard Vlasic is a legit top-pairing option in the NHL, one who would instantly improve Edmonton’s blue-line unit.
Where Will He Play / Where Should He Play:
Vlasic would be Edmonton’s number one defender if he arrived, anchoring the team’s top-pairing and facing the tough minutes each night. He should be a number two defender on a championship team, handling the same kind of role but with someone to ride shotgun with him.
That said, Vlasic is an actual top-pairing defender, and would perfectly fit the role Edmonton would be casting him for. This wouldn’t be a reach.
What Will He Cost:
Vlasic would cost a pretty penny, no doubt about that. The Sharks would absolutely want the 16th overall pick in this draft, and would probably want young Martin Marincin as well to plug-and-play in the NHL. They’d also want a prospect too, who would probably need to be at a higher level.
Would the 16th overall pick, Marincin and Bogdan Yakimov get the deal done? I have my doubts on that, but it would be my starting offer to San Jose.
Closing Arguments:
The Edmonton Oilers badly need a top-pairing defender this summer, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic might represent a solution. He’s handled the role before for San Jose, and has had success in that spot. He’s improved every season, and earned the attention of Team Canada for the 2014 Olympic team.
He’s not a sexy name, but he’s a legit option who can play big minutes, play the tough opposition, and provide a calming presence in the defensive end. Words can’t describe how much Edmonton needs that player.
It will cost a lot, but if there is any chance for Edmonton to snag this guy, then the Oilers should find a way to get it done. Not only is he good enough to help now, but he’s young enough to run with this core group for years.
He could be the perfect fit.
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