You can forgive a team that has 91 points in the standings before March rolls around for not feeling particularly anxious about the March 4 NHL trade deadline.
The league-leading San Jose Sharks could very well swing a deal before March 4, but if they decide not to, they won't lose any sleep over it.
"Every day is a trade deadline for us," Sharks GM Doug Wilson told ESPN.com on Tuesday. "It started at the end of last year. So I think we've been as active as anybody."
The way Wilson sees it, he made a lot of his moves already this past summer, trading for Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich in a blockbuster deal, signing Rob Blake and hiring coach Todd McLellan. Wilson was busy. That puts a lot less pressure on him as the trade deadline approaches.
"We like our team, the health and the depth and the coaching staff," Wilson said. "The players have all been along for this journey; they know each other and know how we want to play. We believe in our players, and they've earned that trust with how they've played."
Wilson points out that Blake, Boyle and Lukowich have been on the team since day one this season. That has given them lots of time to jell. The risk of deadline deals is the uncertainty of how a guy will blend in, in such a short period of time.
But don't count Wilson out for March 4. If the right guy is there, a piece the Sharks believe fits with their Cup aspirations, they'll do it.
"If something became available, I don't think there's any team in this league that's made bigger deals than us in the last five years," Wilson said. "Whether it be the [Joe] Thornton deal or Boyle. We're not conservative or tentative. If something comes along, we'll see."
But what he won't do is try to keep up with the Joneses just for the sake of it. He's not going to acquire a player just to keep him away from a Western Conference rival.
"I don't think you play that game," Wilson said. "You build your team based on what your team's needs are."
Wilson keeps his cards close to his vest, so this is purely a guess on our part, but given his recent track record in acquiring Cup-winning experience in Blake, Lukowich, McLellan and Claude Lemieux, we'd guess any pickup would be along those lines if there's a deal next week.
In the meantime, the team has won four straight and lost only once in regulation in the past 10 games (5-1-4), surviving a bit of a rough patch earlier this month. Monday night's gritty 1-0 victory at Dallas was another impressive performance -- finding a way to win against a tough opponent.
"What's good is that every day we just stay in the moment," Wilson said. "Because every team we play against, they bring their best. It's good for us. It's what good teams have to deal with. The group that we have is a little more mature, and they understand that every day is a new challenge."
The Sharks complete their season series with the Red Wings in Detroit on Wednesday night, another installment of must-see TV. San Jose has won two of the three meetings this season, but the only result that will truly matter will come in May.
Can't wait.
Pierre LeBrun
