It started off slow, but by the end of the day, general manager Doug Wilson helped the San Jose Sharks Add UFA depth they sorely needed.
San Jose Sharks Add UFA Depth
The Sharks signed three players on the first day of unrestricted free agency. San Jose inked forward Mikkel Boedker, defenseman David Schlemko to four-year contracts and brought back San Jose Barracuda goaltender Aaron Dell on a two-year deal. The trio of signings will bring versatility, talent, and depth while also helping the franchise prepare for the Las Vegas expansion draft next summer.
The Underrated Schlemko
The first move by Wilson was to signed veteran defender David Schlemko to a four-year, $8.4 million pact. Overall Schlemko is known for a solid, if unspectacular game.
“David is a solid puck-moving defenseman with good speed who can play the game at both ends,” said Wilson told SanJoseSharks.com. “He is coming off of a very productive season in New Jersey and we think he will fit well with our group.”
Indeed last season was the best of Schlemko’s career. After signing with the Arizona Coyotes as a free agent in 2007, he skated mostly in a part-time role with the club over the next six-plus years. Schlemko bounced around the NHL in 2014-15, skating for Arizona, the Dallas Stars, and Calgary Flames. Signed by the New Jersey Devils just ahead of the 2015-16 campaign, Schlemko posted career highs in games played (67), goals (6), and assists (13) to go with 11 power play points. He is also a positive possession player, with a Corsi-for percentage of 51.1 over 298 NHL games.
The 29-year-old left-handed rearguard can play both the left and right sides and will likely see some power play time. Schlemko is not too bad in the shootout, either.
Boedker Signed
Wilson made speed and versatility a key factor signing winger Mikkel Boedker to a 4-year, $16 million deal. Boedker, 28, spent his entire career with the Coyotes before a trade at the trade deadline last March sent him to the Colorado Avalanche. Boedker is a power play specialist, with 19 of his 51 points last season coming on the man advantage. His possession numbers are weak and posted an NHL-worst -33 in plus/minus rating. The Sharks hallmark of reliable, two-way centers should help improve upon both statistics.
Boedker possesses both speed and skill as well as playing either wing. All these attributes were lacking from the middle of San Jose’s forward lines in the Sharks Stanley Cup Final loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Boedker has 84 goals and 141 assists in 463 career NHL games.
Dell Brought Back
For the Shark, Dell is a known quantity and ranked #10 on Last Word on Sports 2016 Top 10 UFA Goaltenders.
Originally signed on March 1, 2015, as a free agent by San Jose while Dell was skating with the AHL‘s Worcester Sharks. Dell, 27, played last season with the San Jose Barracuda, splitting time initially with Troy Grosenick before taking over the starting job late in the season and leading the Barracuda to the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Dell was a star goaltender for the University of North Dakota, where he set a school record for most wins in a season (30), eclipsing ex-San Jose Shark Ed Belfour‘s mark of 29. He won CHL championship with the Allen Americans and skated in 72 AHL contests since 2013.
Dell does not have ideal size at an even 6′, but is an excellent skater that moves well around the crease. He’s taken the long route and performed at the NCAA, CHL, ECHL and AHL levels. Known for his hard work and coachability, Dell now finds himself with a two-year contract and has the inside track for the battle for the Sharks backup goalie position next September.
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