Sharks 08-09 Review: Defensemen

UFA - Unrestricted Free Agent - Can sign with anyone

RFA - Restricted Free Agent - If signs contract with another team, Original team has right to match contract, or let player go for draft picks.

Defensemen

Dan Boyle - What didn't Dan Boyle do for this team?  He was a great offensive player.  And he played Defense, and he wasn't a liability (See Brad Lukawich).  Offensive threat, goals, assists, power play, puck movement.  the best aquisition of the year without question.  Who was that guy last year? Campbell something?  Boyle's not going anywheres.  He's a fit in McLellen's system

Rob Blake (UFA)- Another great aquisition.  Power Play prowless, points, hardest shot.  Age was catching up because he took alot of penalties.  Otherwise a force.  He'll be a free agent.  And I'm sure there will be alot of suitors for Blake's services.

Christian Ehrhoff - Probably the guy who improved the most on the Defense.  Fixed his shot and most got on goal.  Speed helped him.  Watching Dan Boyle helped improve his game.  More confident handling the puck.  But still makes alot of Errors, hence the fans called him "Error-hoff".  Erhoff could be gone next year.  He hasn't really been the guy who they thought he would be.  

Marc-Edouard Vlasic - "Pickles" was all he could be.  Defensive position is superior.  Rarely beat, rarely out of place.  Steady M-Eddie.  Plays with poise.  Not physical, but makes it up with his great position.  Lots of offense this year, and chipped in frequently.  Vlasic isn't going anywheres.  I'd be surprised if he was moved; he is upper escholon of defensive defensement.

Brad Lukowich - The Dan Boyle Liablity clause.  When Boyle becomes the 4th forward, Lukowich became a steady defensemen.  He covers Boyle extremely well. Slowed by injuries during the season, but was steady and reliable.  Could get moved.

Douglas Murray - Fan Favorite, hard hitting, and intimidator on the blue line.  I don't see Murray moving anywheres.  He's had alot of ups and some downs on D.  The other team are intimidated of his huge checks.  Hard to knock down.  Again, he is well liked and I'd say he stays.

Alexei Semenov (UFA) - 7th man on the D was moved to forward a few games, but that experiment went away when there were injuries to other D-men. He had a really good stretch of being reliable.  Some times he's a liability.  Slow skater, but a good hitter.

Kent Huskins (UFA) - Recieved in a trade with Anaheim, but was on IR for the entire time.  How does this guy pass a physical?  Or was it McLellen not letting him play?  My bet is he's gone or an 8th D-man.  I didn't see him play so how would I know?

Derek Joslin - Called up to fill in the roster during injuries.  At first he was intimidated and was being pushed around.  The 2nd callup, he did alot better and improved.  Depending on the roster changes, he could be on the team next year.  Or he's part of the roster changes and he's traded.  He's not the top tier, nor bottom tier.  

Kyle McLaren (UFA) - Stuck with a huge contract and salary cap hell. In Minors all year.  Traded, and couldn't pass a physical so returned.  His contract is done, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Sharks tried to bring him back.  He's still a Fan Favorite.  Realistically he's now a 7th D or 8th D.  Less minutes would lessen his wear and tear.

The Rest in the minors:

Nick Petrecki, Jason Demers, Julien Demers, Mike Moore