While the current roster of the San Jose Sharks fights for the Stanley Cup in the Western Conference Finals, its front office is already planning for the team’s future.
The Sharks signed defenceman Tim Heed to a one-year two-way $775,000 contract. Heed, 25, was taken 132nd overall (5th Round) by the Anaheim Ducks back in 2010.
Speculation first arose back on May 11th when Swedish media outlet Expressen reported discussion between Heed and the Sharks office. GeneralFanager made the official announcement on Friday, May 20, and Expressen later confirmed those reports.
#SJSharks have signed UFA D Tim Heed
Tim Heed (SJS)
1 yr @ $775,000 cap hit
Base: $675,000
SB: $100,000
AHL: $100,000, $200,000 guaranteed— General Fanager (@generalfanager) May 20, 2016
Born in 1991, Tim Heed shown exceptional development over the last few seasons. He scored 10 goals, 27 assists (37 points) in 50 games for Swedish Elite League (SHL) Skellefteå in 2014-15 and then added 11 more points in the playoffs (15gp).In the 2015-16 season, he produced 23 points in 52 games and added nine points in 16 playoff games to ultimately lose in the SHL Finals.
Standing 6’0 185lbs, Tim Heed is a prototypical blue liner, though he began playing as a forward. He excels on the power play, an area in which the Sharks excel, and owns a powerful shot. Though Heed is not overly aggressive, his creativity and skating style makes him a solid choice for a team that needs more offensive-minded players on the defensive end of the ice, according to Hockey’s Future.
By adding more power to the back end, the Sharks create a more lethal defense that supports their increasingly dominating offense. Heed alone may not carry the team, but his talent combined with that of team member Brent Burns will make San Jose’s blue line an unbreakable force.