SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - With the core of a team that has made consecutive trips to the conference finals in place, the San Jose Sharks head into this offseason looking for tweaks more than an overhaul.
The Sharks have six of their top seven forwards, six defensemen and goaltenders Antti Niemi and Antero Niittymaki already under contract with just over a week before the start of free agency.
General manager Doug Wilson says his biggest priorities this offseason will be bolstering the defense and improving the penalty-kill unit in hopes that the Sharks can clear the conference final hurdle next season and make it to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in franchise history.
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