Apparently the dog house never really leaves a player. Tyler Kennedy struggled to get playing time his entire time in San Jose. It was widely reported that he and Todd McLellan never saw things the same way. But couldn’t Doug Wilson try to get at least something for him?
Tyler Kennedy Trade Details
There isn’t much to tell you, to be honest. The Isles get Kennedy and the Sharks get a 7th round pick in 2016. But wait! There is a silver lining.
Conditions for #Isles Kennedy deal is the pick is a 7th-rounder, unless they win the Cup and he plays 50+% of games in final, then 3rd-rd
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) March 2, 2015
I’m sorry, I’m kidding. No there isn’t. Tyler Kennedy basically has to lead the Islanders to a Stanley Cup this season for the Sharks to realistically get any value out of the trade. So, what’s Doug Wilson’s angle?
(Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports)
It seems like he was just throwing names out there and took any real offer. Considering what he got for fourth line center, Andrew Desjardins, Kennedy should have gotten something. But, no. Desjardins net the Sharks a player under contract and a 2017 draft pick. That seems appropriate for a fourth liner and “great teammate.” Tyler Kennedy has experience in big games, he controls play on the third line at times, yet his dog house reputation made him too easy to sell.
How on earth did Desi get a better return than TK and Shep COMBINED!?
— Jon Wold (@jonathanwold) March 2, 2015
What it does achieve, however, is the goal of a tomorrow team. Somewhat. Pushing Tyler Kennedy out forces younger players into the lineup. Look for Chris Tierney and Barclay Goodrow to earn more minutes as the season winds down.
