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San Jose Sharks Add Free Agent Defenseman David Schlemko

By Mike McCareins

Nov 22, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau (12) is hit by Arizona Coyotes defenseman David Schlemko (6) while attempting a shot in the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau (12) is hit by Arizona Coyotes defenseman David Schlemko (6) while attempting a shot in the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sharks signed veteran and former New Jersey Devils defenseman David Schlemko to a four-year, $8.4 million deal on Friday.

The San Jose Sharks signed veteran defenseman David Schlemko on day one of the free agent period, agreeing on a four-year, $8.4 million deal, per ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun.

Schlemko will fit right in as someone who can provide depth for team teal as he will provide insurance on the back end and allow Mirco Mueller more time to develop in the AHL.

Schlemko has notched 69 points in 298 career NHL games. Last season may have been the best of his career, as the 29 year-old scored 19 points in only 67 games played for the New Jersey Devils.

With the likely absence of defenseman Roman Polak this summer, the Sharks needed to bring in another proven blue-liner capable of playing on a nightly basis on the third-line, and Schlemko is that type of player.

The Edmonton native has spent the majority of his career with the Arizona Coyotes, but has really shuffled around the league as of late. He has spent time with Calgary, New Jersey, Arizona and Dallas all in the last two years.

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The Sharks struggled killing penalties last season, finishing with the 10th-worst unit in the NHL at 80.5 percent.

Schlemko is one who can help the cause, as he logged over 100 shorthanded minutes last year for the Devils and was a large part of their successful unit, which had the ninth-best percentage in the NHL (83.0%). Additionally, he spent more than 130 minutes on the ice when his team was on the power-play, tallying 11 assists for his team on the man advantage.

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In today’s era of the NHL where third-pair defensemen are often getting $2 million to $3 million per year (and in Brenden Dillon’s case, nearly $4 million per season), this contract seems like a fair one for both sides. Schlemko finally has a sense of stability after moving around seemingly the entire continent the past couple years, and the Sharks get a two-way defenseman who is a solid special teams player without overpaying.

GM Doug Wilson made a nice move here filling a position of need, and the Sharks still have some cap space to work with to possibly add a backup goaltender with the loss of James Reimer to the Panthers. The Sharks won’t make any big splashes, but they may not be done searching the free agent pool in the coming days.

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