San Jose Sharks News: Weekly Roundup June 29-July 6
Mar 28, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Martin Jones (31) in the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
It was a busy week for the San Jose Sharks as general manager Doug Wilson reshaped this team from one that was rebuilding into one that is looking like a contender once again, all in the span of a couple days. In case you missed any of the flurry of news, here’s a recap of the past week:
– The Sharks kicked off the week by acquiring their goaltender of the future in striking a deal with the Boston Bruins for Martin Jones. Jones, 25, inked a three-year deal with San Jose and has posted a 1.99 goals-against-average and a .923 save percentage in 34 career NHL games. You can read an analysis of the deal here.
– A day later, Wilson bolstered the group that will skate in front of Jones by signing veteran defenseman Paul Martin to a four-year contract. Martin will likely pair with Brent Burns on the back end and should help a defense that ranked 24th in the league last season. Read some comments from new coach Peter DeBoer on the Martin and Jones moves.
– Changes didn’t just happen on the personnel side as the Sharks announced that Bob Boughner and Johan Hedberg would be joining the San Jose coaching staff. Furthermore, the organization announced that assistant general manager Wayne Thomas has retired.
– Finally, Wilson added some grit and depth to the forward group by signing Joel Ward to a three-year contract. Ward has the ability to play anywhere within the Sharks forward unit and should be able to bring valuable leadership up front.
The offseason is now fully upon us, but be sure to check back to Blades of Teal for recaps of last season, along with previews for next year.