San Jose Sharks Sign Frazer McLaren
San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson had a very solid offseason in reshaping the look of his team. He signed veteran free agents Paul Martin and Joel Ward, along with trading for a new starting netminder in the unproven, but extremely talented Martin Jones.
The prior summer, Wilson was quiet in making very few moves, highlighted, if that even applies in this case, by the signing of John Scott. Well, it seems that Wilson has found his replacement for the immense skills and talents that Scott brought during his one-year stay in San Jose.
According to a report from Kevin Kurz of Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area, the San Jose Sharks have signed former Shark Frazer McLaren to a one-year, two-way contract.
McLaren, 27, is an imposing presence standing 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, but offers very little on the ice except the ability to stand in and throw some punches. McLaren first broke into the NHL with the Sharks during the 2009-10 season. He would go on to make 40 appearances for San Jose over the course of four seasons, tallying one goal and five assists which all came during his rookie season. McLaren is no stranger to the penalty box as he recorded 85 penalty minutes during his tenure in teal.
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After San Jose placed him on waivers during the 2012-13 season, McLaren was claimed by the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he has spent the past two seasons. McLaren was able to find more game time in Toronto, appearing in 62 games. During his NHL career, McLaren has registered four goals and seven assists, while racking up 264 penalty minutes.
With the contract being a two-way contract, look for McLaren to begin the season with the San Jose Barracuda as the Sharks seem to have plenty of forwards available. In 245 career American Hockey League games, McLaren has scored 31 points (13 goals and 18 assists) while accumulating 678 penalty minutes.
McLaren will likely only be called up on an opponent-by-opponent basis, although you never know with San Jose as Scott seemed to garner more ice time than expected. This is definitely a curious signing by Wilson who had done very well in adding to the strength of the team. This move doesn’t fit into any category except adding some potential toughness into the lineup on occasion. With the train wreck last year, you’d think Wilson would steer clear of this type of move, but he’s going back to the well again.
McLaren was originally a seventh round selection by the San Jose Sharks back in 2007.
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