Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
I think the way you could paint that it is a fair trade for the Sharks is that Othmann-Bystedt is a wash and maybe even a slight edge to Othmann (slightly better pedigree over the years, but nothing huge).I don't see how this makes sense for SJ. Bystedt is a PPG in the AHL and Walman is a legit 2nd pairing dman that the Sharks desperately need. Zac jones would be a downgrade from Walman and Othmann, at best, would be an even swap with Bystedt.
Meanwhile, Walman for Jones is more of a move for fit. Walman is 28. If he’s even for real at this point, it’s probably short lived and for the end of his prime years (the next few). When the Sharks are good, he probably won’t be. Jones probably isn’t as good right now, but has shown he’s a capable bottom pair defenseman, at the very least. He moves the puck well and can run a PP. Rangers have had one of the deepest defenses in the league though and he also has the small bias working against him.
That’s even worse for contending teams because the coaches coach so safe and would sometimes rather just throw a tall guy back there who can’t play because they’re big or something (our last coach Gallant would say this stuff almost verbatim). For a team where he’s not competing with much and his size isn’t going to be scrutinized every last moment (the outlook is more about his age and potential), he could provide a good longterm fit. He’s only just turned 24 last Friday. He could be a solution for the Sharks for 5+ years as a 4-6.
I would suggest it leans a little towards the Rangers, but I don’t think this is something Sharks fans should be up in arms about. There are reasons why it’d make sense.