The 2011 NHL Draft kicks off on Friday evening with the San Jose Sharks owning the 28th overall pick in the first round, along with five other picks in the remaining six rounds. The Sharks made three deals over the last twelve months that resulted in a loss of two picks and a gain of one, thus leaving a net loss of one pick.
The Sharks gave up their fifth round pick in the trade to acquire Ben Eager in January. In last year's NHL Draft the Sharks dealt their 2011 seventh round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in order to acquire the Penguins seventh rounder in 2010. The Sharks used that pick to add Chris Crane. The Sharks added a 2011 draft pick in February of 2010 when they traded Jody Shelley to the New York Rangers. The Sharks acquired a sixth round pick in the trade but would have seen it upgraded to a fifth round pick had Shelley re-signed with the Rangers in the offseason. Since he elected to sign with the Flyers, the pick remained in the sixth round.
As things currently stand, the Sharks will make the following picks starting Friday:
2011 NHL Entry Draft - San Jose Sharks - Draft Picks
Round 1: No. 28 overall
Round 2: No. 59 overall
Round 3: No. 88 overall
Round 4: No. 118 overall
Round 6: No. 165 overall (from NY Rangers)
Round 6: No. 178 overall