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Sharks acquire Burns for
Setoguchi
SJ also ships Coyle and a 1st round pick
to Minnesota
The NHL Entry Draft is an opportunity for teams to
stock their rosters with players that can eventually bring value. Sharks
General Manager Doug Wilson decided to forgo the future in exchange for a
proven commodity that he hopes can bring Northern California its first Stanley
Cup now. That commodity came in the form of defenseman Brent Burns [Profile], who the
Minnesota Wild sent to San Jose along with a 2nd round draft pick in 2012, for
Devin Setoguchi, 2010 1st round pick Charlie Coyle and the Sharks 1st round
pick this year.
Burns is a big defenseman who can also score,
recording career highs in goals (17) and assists (29) this past season. The
Barrie, Ontario native will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, which
will make the deal a contentious one if he walks after a year in teal.
Wilson inked Setoguchi to a 3-year contract earlier this week, worth $9
million. Even with the new deal, the fourth-year player was rumored to be part
of several deals leading up to the draft. Setoguchi scored a career high 65
points in 2008-09, but his point production dropped under head coach Todd
McLellan's watch.
His production was cut in half in 2009-10 (20 goals,
16 assists), then only slightly improved this past season (22 goals, 19
assists).
In what was regarded a relatively weak draft, the Sharks
sent the 28th overall pick to Minnesota, in addition to Coyle, who was taken in
the same spot last year by the Sharks. The Boston University freshman averaged
less than a point per game for the Terriers (7 goals, 19 assists) in 37
contests.
The Sharks may have soured on Coyle after a sub-par first
year playing at the Hockey East university, making him expendable.
In
addition to Burns, the 2nd round pick San Jose will receive in next year's
draft could turn into a decent pick if the Wild continue their sub-par ways.
Minnesota finished with the 21st best record this past season, missing the
playoffs for the third consecutive year.
The key piece in the deal was Burns, who is an instant
upgrade to a blueline that took the first half of the season and the addition
of Ian White to get its act in gear. The deal also makes White's status
uncertain. Wilson indicated that he hadn't entirely closed the door on
resigning the defenseman, but Burns contract increases the payroll by $500,000
and the Sharks only have 16 roster players under contract.
Wilson
indicated that veterans Scott Nichol and Jamal Mayers would not be re-signed.
Ben Eager, Kyle Wellwood, White and Kent Huskins are all unrestricted free
agents. Jamie McGinn, John McCarthy, Benn Ferriero and Andrew Desjardins are
restricted free agents.
The draft continues on Saturday, when the
Sharks will have picks in the 2nd round (59th overall), 3rd round (89th), 4th
round (119th), and two in the 6th round (166th & 179th).
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