My Two Cents: San Jose Sharks’ Long Offseason Won’t Be Dull

Sharks Early Moves

The Sharks first major announcement concerning player personal was made by DW during Thursday’s media conference call. The Sharks made one of their toughest cuts ever and also one of the easiest cuts in franchise history. The toughest cut was the announcement that veteran defenseman Dan Boyle’s time as a member of the Sharks was done after six seasons. Boyle was one player who you can say always gave it 110 percent maximum effort each and every time he played a shift. He also gave it the same maximum effort during practice and off the ice as well.

Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Boyle was one player that the younger core of the team could look to and learn from. In fact, that would also be true with even some of the more veteran players. Boyle may have had his lowest point totals as a Shark this season, but it was never due to a lack of effort. Wherever Boyle lands as a UFA this July the team that signs him will be getting one heck of a quality player and man. Though it’s tough to see Boyle go, the move is sadly necessary given what the Sharks must do in terms of a team overhaul.

As for the easiest cut, Martin Havlat, I will say at least scored a few clutch goals for the Sharks in his brief Team Teal career. The problem was that he was often injured and his contract made him completely untradeable. The good news is the Sharks can take an amnesty buyout and have chosen to do so. Havlat was never a $5 million dollar player at anytime in his career and that fact he was paid that much was obscene. Havlat’s buyout will not count against the Sharks salary cap which means basically the parting was mutual. Both sides wanted to move on and now both have done so.Thankfully this marks the end of that discussion.

Team Teal also announced that the Brent Burns “experiment” was over and that he was being moved back to a defensman’s position. DW pointed out that when Burns was acquired from Minnesota two years ago he was brought in as a defenseman. Burns has a goal scoring touch which makes him rare in that department and that is something the Sharks are not overlooking. The statement here is that one of things Team Teal wants to do is get back to basics which isn’t a bad idea at all. As for Alex Stalock, DW called him a “special kid” and will be given an opportunity to compete for whatever opportunity is there. Look for the Sharks to get Stalock re-signed very soon. Stalock has earned a new contract and the team’s and fanbase’s trust.