Ryane Clowe: Should Sharks keep or move him?

If an NHL fan were going to design the prototypical power forward, it would be the San Jose Sharks' Ryane Clowe.

Big, strong, fearless and talented, Clowe has a pair of 20-goal seasons and a pair of 100-penalty minute seasons. He can play anywhere in the lineup, from the first line to the third. He is a handful on the forecheck and nearly impossible to move from the front of the opposing net.

But will he continue to bring all those solid qualities to the Sharks?

NHL.com examines the pros and cons to the Sharks making Clowe available to move prior to the April 3, 2013 NHL Trade Deadline:

RYANE CLOWE

Position: Left wing

Age: 30

Statistics: 25 games, 0 goals, 9 assists, 9 points, minus-7 rating

Salary status: Clowe is in the final season of a four-year, $14.5 million contract and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Keep him: While Clowe's scoring numbers this season are way down, he's scored at least 19 goals in three of the four previous seasons. Clowe's slump could be due in part to the fact he didn't play during the lockout, instead skating with the Sharks' ECHL affiliate and serving as an assistant coach. There's little reason to think Clowe can't return to being an effective player, and there's a chance he'll embrace the opportunity to make up for a down season by signing a contract extension either before the end of the season or prior to the start of free agency.

Move him: For Clowe to be this deep into the season without a goal is one of the more baffling sights of the season. The physicality still is there for Clowe, but he isn't shooting the puck near enough for a player of his skill level. After eight seasons with the Sharks, it could be time for a change for both the team and the player. If the decision is made to deal Clowe, general manager Doug Wilson should have little problem finding interested teams.

Contact Adam Kimelman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @NHLAdamK