The San Jose Sharks have acquired defenseman Scott Hannan from the Nashville Predators, according to multiple reports.
Hannan began his career with the Sharks, drafted No. 23 overall in the first round in 1997 and making his NHL debut with five games in 1998. Hannan spent parts of eight seasons with the Sharks before signing a four-year contract as a free agent with the Colorado Avalanche in 2007.
After being traded to the Washington Capitals at the beginning of the 2010 season, Hannan signed a couple of one-year contract with the Calgary Flames and then the Predators this past season.
Hannan is a shutdown defenseman who has never put up big numbers, and had just one assist with a minus-11 rating in 29 games. The Predators would supposedly be looking for a player like Hannan, but it’s possible this could be about giving the veteran who is struggling a change of scenery more than anything else.
Hannan’s best career season came in 2005-2006, with the Sharks, with six goals and 24 points in 79 games. Getting anything in return for Scott Hannan is a steal at this point, as he has tumbled down Nashville’s depth chart in recent weeks, supplanted by rookie Vic Bartley. If anything, this trade stands as a vindication of Bartley’s play and his chance to earn an NHL job coming out of training camp in the fall.