Report: Kevin Bieksa Would Waive No Trade Clause For San Jose Sharks
Apr 2, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa (3) warms up prior to a game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Chicago won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
It appears things are heating up on the trade front between the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks. Following up on a report from last night, things are progressing towards a potential deal that will send Kevin Bieksa to the Sharks.
According to a report from Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada, Bieksa informed the Canucks that he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate a trade to San Jose.
Furthermore, Darren Dreger of TSN reported the Sharks would be willing to extend Bieksa’s contract if he was indeed traded to San Jose.
Sounds like Sharks are happy to extend Bieksa's contract. Good fit for him and family. Sharks and Canucks still working on details of trade.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 26, 2015
Bieksa and San Jose seem like an odd match considering the history between the two teams. Bieksa scored the decisive goal in the 2011 Western Conference Finals in double overtime, as Vancouver defeated San Jose in five games.
Two years later, it was Bieksa who called out Logan Couture and Joe Thornton’s integrity as he felt the two were embellishing in order to get calls in their 2013 Western Conference Quarterfinals matchup. The Sharks would go on to sweep the Canucks in that one.
From an on ice standpoint, Bieksa, 34, would make sense on a one-year deal, but with the news coming out that the Sharks would willing to extend his contract after next season, that’s where the worry sets in. Bieksa’s play has been on the decline in recent years and at this point, he looks like your fourth defenseman at best, most likely serving as a third-pairing.
Bieksa is a hard-nose defensive option who would bring some bite to the San Jose blueline, but I don’t like the idea of bringing him in long term. Anything more than two years at the most would be crazy, but let’s wait and see what general manager Doug Wilson decides to do.
All signs are pointing to a potential trade at this point, but stay tuned as the rumor mill continues to churn ahead of the 2015 NHL Draft tonight. Blades of Teal will provide full coverage and analysis of the Sharks draft as well as free agency next week.