There were no big surprises when it came to the Sharks list of qualifying offers to their restricted free agents.
The team managed to sign three key young players brought up through the organization in Justin Braun (three years), Tommy Wingels (two years) and Andrew Desjardins (one year), while extending offers to TJ Galiardi, James Sheppard and goalie prospect Alex Stalock. Wingels deal is for 700,000 the first year and 850,000 the second, while the terms for Braun and Desjardins were not immediately available. All three are one-way contracts.
General manager Doug Wilson seemed especially fond of the 25-year-old Braun, whom the club drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 draft.
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Were very pleased with his progress. We all know the supply and demand for defensemen, said the general manager.
We do get an awful lot of calls on our players, and hes a guy a lot of people have interest in, but he fits very well for us and is an important part of us going forward.
Desjardins, 25, and Wingels, 24, also had successful rookie seasons, and will help to fill out the third and fourth lines next season. Wingels may even have top-two line potential.
Regarding Desjardins, Wilson said hes a very competitive player. This guy, nothings ever been given to him. Hes worked his way up through this organization and played very well last year. We expect even more from him. Weve talked about being aggressive, and the energy, and going after people, and thats exactly how he plays. Same with Tommy Wingels.
San Jose Sharks
The most notable name that is no longer a part of the Sharks organization is forward Benn Ferriero. The 25-year-old Boston native has been unable to land a regular place in the lineup despite multiple opportunities to do so over the last three seasons, and Wilson called it a mutual decision to part ways.
I think Benn feels probably at this point he needs an opportunity somewhere else, Wilson said. We certainly wish Benn all the best. He played hard for us, he just couldnt quite solidify a regular spot.
As for the goodbye to goaltender Tyson Sexsmith, who was an AHL All-Star for Worcester last season, the Sharks appear to have enough depth at the goaltender position now that Stalock seems to be fully recovered from his serious nerve injury in February, 2011. Wilson expects Stalock and Harri Sateri to man the crease for Worcester next season.
Wilson calls Stalock a great story. Hes a very competitive kid.
James Sheppard, acquired from Minnesota last summer, is still trying to return from a serious knee injury of his own. Sheppard has played in just four AHL games, in March with Worcester, since an ATV accident nearly ended his career in the summer of 2010.
We had a very specific plan when we acquired him, Wilson said, before later adding that he expects Sheppard, 24, to compete for a roster spot at training camp.
Wilson declined to comment on which unrestricted free agents the team is not planning on negotiating with prior to July 1. Sharks that are set to hit the open market include Torrey Mitchell, Daniel Winnik, Colin White, Jim Vandermeer, Dominic Moore and Brad Winchester.
He also declined to comment on defenseman Justin Schultz, who became an unrestricted free agent on Monday after not agreeing to terms with the Anaheim Ducks. Several NHL teams are expected to pursue the 21-year-old, who it is thought could play in the NHL right away after two seasons at the University of Wisconsin.