NHL: Sharks

SHARKS ACQUIRE FORWARD MARTIN HAVLAT FROM MINNESOTA IN EXCHANGE FOR FORWARD DANY HEATLEY

JULY 3, 2011 -- SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has acquired forward Martin Havlat from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Dany Heatley.

Havlat, 30, posted 62 points (22 goals, 40 assists) in 78 regular season games, which tied for the team lead in Minnesota. He also tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (4) and led the team in shots (229).

The 10-year veteran has posted 512 points (209 goals, 303 assists) in 621 career regular season games with Minnesota, Chicago and Ottawa. He has added 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 67 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, including 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in his last 26 postseason contests.

Havlat is a former NHL All-Star (2007) and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2001. Internationally, he has represented the Czech Republic at the Olympics (2010), the World Cup (2005), the World Championships (2004, 2000) and the World Junior Championship (2000).

“Marty is a player that we have had an interest in for a long time,” said Wilson. “He can play either wing and brings creativity and breakaway speed to our group of top-six forwards. We are excited about the versatility he adds to our lineup.”

The six-foot-two, 217-pound native of Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic was originally selected by Ottawa in the first round (26th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

Heatley, 30, appeared in 162 games for San Jose in two seasons posting 146 points (65 goals, 81 assists).

“When players that we have targeted become available, you need to be able to react quickly and you also have to pay a price in order to acquire them,” added Wilson. “When we made the Brent Burns trade, we knew we still needed to address our speed up front and we think the acquisition of Marty does that.

“We truly appreciate everything that Dany brought to our organization,” stated Wilson. “He is a tremendous professional and we wish him the best.”

SHARKS SIGN FORWARD MICHAL HANDZUS

JULY 1, 2011 -- SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has signed unrestricted free agent forward Michal Handzus to a two-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Handzus, 34, appeared in all 82 regular season games for Los Angeles last season and posted 30 points (12-18=30). He led all Kings forwards in shorthanded time on ice per game, averaging 2:24 on the fourth best penalty kill team in the NHL. He led the team in face-offs taken and finished with a 51.9% faceoff percentage. He also had the second best shootout percentage on the Kings, converting 44.4% of his chances (4/9). In six playoff games, he posted two points (1-1=2).

Over the last four seasons with Los Angeles, Handzus has appeared in 327 out of a possible 328 contests registering 135 points (57-78=135). In his 12-year NHL career, he has posted 435 points (172-263=435) in 844 career games played with Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix and St. Louis. He has added 32 points (11-21=32) in 72 postseason games, appearing in the playoffs eight times.

“Michal is an extremely skilled player that has a great mix of size and competitiveness,” said Wilson. “He is one of the top penalty killing forwards in this League and has the ability to play in any situation.”

The six-foot-four, 220-pound native of Banska Bystrika, Slovakia was originally selected by St. Louis in the fourth round (101st overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.

SHARKS ACQUIRE DEFENSEMAN BRENT BURNS AND A SECOND ROUND SELECTION IN THE 2012 NHL ENTRY DRAFT FROM MINNESOTA IN EXCHANGE FOR DEVIN SETOGUCHI, CHARLIE COYLE AND A FIRST ROUND SELECTION IN THE 2011 NHL ENTRY DRAFT

SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Brent Burns and a second round selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle and a first round selection (28th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Burns, 26, was named to the Western Conference All-Star team in 2010-11, appearing in 80 games and posting 46 points (17-29=46), which tied for 14th most amongst all NHL defensemen. Also amongst League defensemen, his 17 goals ranked third and his 8 power play goals were tied for third. He set career highs in points, goals, assists, penalty minutes (98) and shots (170) in 2010-11. Playing in every situation, he averaged 2:42 seconds of penalty kill time per game to go along with his 3:03 seconds of power play time per game.

The seven-year NHL veteran, all of which have come with Minnesota, has posted 183 career points (55-128=183) in 453 games played. He has appeared in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games, posting three points (0-3=3).

“Brent is an elite first-pairing defenseman that is just coming into his prime,” stated Wilson. “We feel that he gives our blueline tremendous depth and versatility and will augment our existing core. He combines a dangerous offensive prowess with an abrasive presence in the defensive zone.”

Burns has made multiple appearances with the Canadian National Team including two World Championships (2010, 2008) and one World Jr. Championship (2003-04).

He was originally selected by Minnesota in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Burns played for the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League during the 2004-05 season under Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan and Assistant Coach Matt Shaw. That season, Burns posted 27 points (11-16=27) in 73 games played.

“Matt and I have a great familiarity with Brett from our time spent together in Houston,” stated McLellan. “His ability to combine his elite offensive abilities with his size and defensive awareness makes him one of the top defenseman in this League and he will be for years to come.”

Setoguchi has played in 267 NHL games, all with San Jose, compiling 159 points (84 goals, 75 assists).

Coyle just finished his freshman season with Boston University, posting 26 points (seven goals, 19 assists) in 37 games.

Top

Home