The San Jose Sharks are going into a pretty big offseason starting July 1. That would be the day the NHL free agency period begins, and it will be the first chance the Sharks have to re-sign or part with the 23 players on their current free agent roster.
This is a free agency that could possibly define this team for the next two years, having to decide whether to re-sign or release several promising young players. There are also some veterans in the mix who could potentially upset the chemistry of a proud and competitive franchise.
More or less, the Sharks’ participation in the NHL free agency period depends solely on what San Jose decides to do with two of its key free agents.
Those two players are restricted free agent Devin Setoguchi on the offensive end and unrestricted free agent Ian White on the defensive end.
The Sharks’ leniency in free agency depends on how the Sharks treat those two players.
For now, there are some realistic options for San Jose if they decide to start in the chaos that is 2011 NHL Free Agency.
eric brewer
If the Sharks go after a big-name free agent, it’s going to be a big-name defender. And if they’re going after a big-name defenseman, Brewer would seem to fit into San Jose’s price range for a very good defensive player with a decent offensive game.
It may be a bit of a gamble for the Sharks, considering Brewer made a legitimate name for himself in the 2011 NHL Playoffs.
Brewer may not reach 40 points next season, but he would be a valuable asset to the Sharks as part of that defense.
Whether he’s a $5 million worth of valuable asset next season will be up to the Sharks.
kevin bieksa
Another Sharks playoff foe coming to play in San Jose?
Antiti Niemi did it. Why can’t Bieksa?
Sure, Bieksa is going to take less money and stay in Vancouver, but this is someone the Sharks should really go after because he caters to every part of the ice San Jose needs help on.
Bieksa can score, as we saw in the Western Conference Finals, but he’s also a decent defender.
Once again, it’ll give the Canucks a local discount, but that doesn’t mean other teams won’t throw the house down on a defenseman who stepped up his game when it counted most.
The Detroit Red Wings will surely put their effort into both Christian Ehrhoff and Bieksa, but hope the Sharks throw their hat in the pile as well.
Whether the Sharks, Red Wings or Canucks feel Bieksa is inevitably worth the $5-$7 million he’s supposed to get is up to them.
Cam Barker (restricted free agent)
Sharks fans should remember Barker from that Chicago Blackhawks close defense a year ago.
Now, Barker is a definite possibility in San Jose next season.
Currently, there are rumors about the Minnesota Wild buying out Barker’s contract, making him an unrestricted free agent, but that won’t happen until they have a coach in place.
Barker is set to make $3 million next season, and if bought, would cost $375,000 against the cap next season.
The 25-year-old possesses a strong shot from the spot and is especially effective on the power play. His defense in his own zone needs work, but he’s a very physical player the Sharks could use.