Report: Sharks players vouched to keep Niemi in San Jose for rest of season

The San Jose Sharks aren't having a spectacular season, but they're still in the playoff hunt. Few would have thought that to be the case after the team subtracted, rather than added, at the trade deadline.

The Sharks' only additions were small, picking up forward Ben Smith from the Chicago Blackhawks for Andrew Desjardins and the little used Karl Stollery from the Colorado Avalanche, while shipping veterans James Sheppard and Tyler Kennedy to the New York Rangers and New York Islanders, respectively.

The Sharks' biggest piece of trade bait in goaltender Antti Niemi, an unrestricted free agent, didn't go anywhere.

Mark Purdy of San Jose Mercury News reports that Niemi's teammates were responsible for convincing general manager Doug Wilson to keep the netminder in a Sharks uniform for the remainder of the season. 

There was a small meeting between the team's core veterans and Wilson on Feb. 29, when Niemi's future was discussed. Wilson said the players believed they could make a last desperate run at a playoff spot, preferably with Niemi in goal.

"They think we can compete," Wilson said. "They were brutally honest about what's happened. They're owning it. But you've got to respond. It's gut-check time. Line up and play."

Since the meeting with Wilson, the Sharks are 3-1, defeating some stiff competition in the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Sharks play the Nashville Predators on Thursday.