San Jose Sharks Begin Summer Clearout

San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson promised to make changes after a historic collapse against the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and he's already begun. During a conference call Thursday, Wilson said the Sharks will part with forward Marty Havlat, won't re-sign veteran defenseman Dan Boyle, and will move Brent Burns back to defense after his first full season as a forward. Boyle, an impending unrestricted free agent, played six seasons for San Jose after coming from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a trade July 4, 2008. Boyle had 68 goals and 269 points for the Sharks, including 12 goals and 36 points this season, which was marred by a concussion. Boyle turns 38 in July, and Wilson made it clear the Sharks will ramp up their mission to become a "younger, more aggressive team."

"I cannot say enough about the kind of guy he is, the player, everything that he brought to the table for us," Wilson said of Boyle. "An ultimate competitor. We're going to go forward transitioning this team to the young players on the back end, but first and foremost there is a great appreciation for Dan."

Burns was a defenseman for most of his NHL career, which began with six seasons with the Minnesota Wild. After coming to the Sharks in a trade on June 24, 2011, Burns played defense during his first full season in San Jose and part of his second. He was switched to forward on March 12, 2013, after he returned from an injury, but he'll move back to the blue line and fill the void left by Boyle's departure.

"That's why he was acquired," Wilson said of Burns. "That size, the strength, the shot; you just saw Montreal with a guy that's a bit of a wild stallion go and make plays (Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban). [Burns] to us is that type of ingredient that we need, so that will be taking place. When you take a look at that type of dynamic on the back end, guys that move the puck up, shoot the puck on the power play, it creates a tough matchup. And the size (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) and physicality that he brings. When he was originally moved up to forward, it was because of an injury. He was coming back and he was having trouble with certain parts of his skating."

Havlat has been a disappointment since coming to the Sharks on July 3, 2011, in a trade for forward Dany Heatley. Plagued by injuries, Havlat scored 27 goals in 127 regular-season games and two goals in eight playoff games for San Jose. He was in the lineup for one game in the series against the Kings. Havlat has a year left on his contract, but Wilson said he has options to remove him from the roster, including a buyout. Sharks majority owner Hasso Plattner on Wednesday released a statement expressing his disappointment in losing the Western Conference First Round series to the Kings after building a 3-0 lead. It was the fourth time an NHL team had lost such a lead. Plattner supported Wilson's recommendation to bring back coach Todd McLellan and his staff and the GM's plan to improve the team. Wilson confirmed associate coach Larry Robinson will return for a third season.

"I may even expand his role in different areas, as his input and his viewings of things in the last couple of years is of great value in many areas of our organization," Wilson said. "We value Larry."

Wilson said offseason changes will be coming to the front office and the roster. He said no Sharks player is untouchable and that those who have no-trade provisions in his contract have some "flexibility and [trade] windows."

"This is a team that's accomplished quite a bit over the last decade, but regular-season success has not gotten us to that ultimate success that we all talk about," Wilson said. "We haven't gotten to that level. We've had seven or eight 100-point seasons, we've had three final-four appearances, we've had 20 playoff rounds. That all sounds nice, and the players and coaches deserve credit for that, but we have not gotten to where we need to get to. And I think to do that, you have to take one step backwards to be in a position to go two steps forward."

Wilson declined to talk about specific contracts, but did say he has reached out to goaltender Alex Stalock, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Stalock had better numbers this season than No. 1 goaltender Antti Niemi, who has one year left on his contract.

"What I love about Alex is that's the type of guy you want on your team," Wilson said. "His journey, what he's gone through, how he competes. That's part of the identity of when I talk about some of these younger players. They've all gone through some challenges. That's the type of fortitude you want, so when you get in situations and games they can reflect back on that. Alex has that in spades. He's a special kid."

Would Stalock, who overcame a career-threatening leg laceration, have a chance to be the No. 1 goaltender next season if he re-signs?

"Every one of our young players will be given the chance to take whatever role they want," Wilson said. "That includes [Alex]. When you go through this, you have guys who are aching and begging for that opportunity. If they can come in and do it they can take it, in all positions."

Wilson acknowledged that many changes he'll make stem from the Sharks' problems transferring their success from the regular season to the playoffs when the games become grittier. He said the Sharks abandoned their tough, north-south style of play after building the series lead against the Kings.

"You have to be very cognizant of what's winning in the League now," Wilson said. "We got beat by a team that re-established their game and they stuck with it. We were good for two, 2 1/2 games, and then we wavered and our belief system in our game was not there. You can look at that systemically, you can look at it personnel-wise, but the fact is we beat ourselves. Completely different than a year ago where it was a different type of series," he said of the Sharks' loss to the Kings in the second round in 2013. "That's why this one to me resonates deeper and it may lead into some of the changes that we may talk about going forward. As a GM I've got to do what I've got to do in the next while. I can't completely share everything for obvious reasons because I've got to deal with other teams."

An interesting website details the Sharks' players contract status. I have included links below or you can read on for an edited version.

http://www.csnbayarea.com/sharks/stay-or-go-part-1-sharks-forwards

http://www.csnbayarea.com/sharks/stay-or-go-part-2-sharks-defensemen

After another playoff failure, general manager Doug Wilson has some difficult decisions to make regarding the Sharks' current roster, as the club showed once again that it is a very good team in the regular season but not good enough when the postseason rolls around. So, who will stay and who will go? There’s no question the roster will look a bit different, maybe even very much so, by the time training camp begins in September. All contract figures courtesy of CapGeek.com.

Part 1 – The forwards

Joe Pavelski
Contract status: 5 years remaining, limited no-trade clause kicks in July 1
2014-15 cap hit: $6 million

Pavelski’s 41-goal season earned him team MVP honors, as well as the annual Fan Favorite award. But, could it be a good time to sell high on Pavelski, who scored most of his goals on Joe Thornton’s wing? It’s doubtful, as Pavelski has a very cap-friendly deal in place for the next five seasons, but stranger things have happened. Perhaps there is a team out there that would offer the moon for a player that turns 30 this summer, because that’s what it would take for Wilson to trade the versatile center/wing.

Chances he returns: 90 percent

Marty HavlatContract status: 1 year remaining, no-movement clause
2014-15 cap hit: $5 million

The Sharks have never had to buy a player out of a bad contract, something they take pride in, but they’ve also not had a guy as overpaid and underwhelming as Havlat in their recent history. The 33-year-old was scratched from six of seven playoff games, indicating that the coaching staff has lost any shred of trust it may have had in the oft-injured winger. It’s essential for San Jose to cut the cord on Havlat, one way or another. His tenure in San Jose has been a failure.

Chances he returns: 10 percent

Andrew Desjardins
Contract status: 1 year remaining
2014-15 cap hit: $750k

Desjardins again filled the role of fourth line center admirably, and his salary is cap-friendly enough that he's likely to return, but there may be a chance James Sheppard takes over his role on the fourth line. Sheppard proved he can be a good center, but is not a very productive winger. Unlike Sheppard, though, Desjardins has one year left on his deal.

Chances he returns: 80 percent

Patrick Marleau
Contract status: 3 years remaining, no-trade clause
2014-15 cap hit: $6.67 million

If the Sharks truly want to change the fabric of their team, trading either Marleau or Joe Thornton, or both, would be the easiest way to do it. Marleau’s first round performance reflected that of the team and its other core players, he was outstanding early, then nowhere to be found over the final three games. Marleau’s Game 5 performance was particularly baffling. It wouldn’t be easy to replace the all-time franchise scoring leader, and Marleau might not be willing to waive his no-trade clause, but moving the aging forward is something the Sharks may want to seriously consider.

Chances he returns: 85 percent

Raffi Torres
Contract status: 2 years remaining, modified no-trade clause
2014-15 cap hit: $2 million

Returning from major knee surgery was admirable as Torres admitted after the playoffs he was basically playing on one leg in Game 7. He’ll now have all summer to recover, and the Sharks will need him to be an impact player like the guy who energized the team late in 2013 after a trade-deadline move.

Chances he returns: 95 percent

James Sheppard
Contract status: Pending restricted free agent

Sheppard had a good run as the third line center late in the season, but was exposed against the Kings, something that was all too predictable. He may be a third line center on a lesser NHL team, but not here. The Sharks could very well move on from Sheppard, either by not signing him, or by qualifying him as an RFA and then dealing his rights. Or, they could retain Sheppard as their fourth line center and look to move Andrew Desjardins, as stated above.

Chances he returns: 50 percent

Mike Brown
Contract status: Pending unrestricted free agent

When the Sharks traded for Brown in October, Wilson remarked that he had been in pursuit the agitating winger for some time. Now that he has Brown, he may want to keep him. The 28-year-old shouldn’t command a huge salary, and fills a role that comes in handy against certain teams.

Chances he returns: 50 percent

Joe Thornton
Contract status: 3 years remaining, no-trade clause
2014-15 cap hit: $6.75 million

The Sharks have two options when it comes to Thornton – look to move him and hope he agrees to it, or keep him as the team captain. The notion of taking the 'C' off of Thornton's sweater has been a source of speculation, but just isn’t a probable scenario. It’s a rare enough occurrence as it is, and if the Sharks were to do that for the second time in five years, it would be a huge distraction. Thornton obviously isn’t the only reason the Sharks have failed to advance past the Western Conference finals and have won just one playoff series in the past three years, but after getting just one even-strength point against the Kings (in Game 1), it could be time for new leadership.

Chances he returns: 85 percent

Adam Burish
Contract status: 2 years remaining
2014-15 cap hit: $1.85 million

Burish doesn’t have a no-trade clause (to our knowledge), but the Sharks are handcuffed when it comes to the fourth-liner because of his salary. Burish suffered through a nightmarish 2013-14 season while dealing with multiple injuries, and bad contract aside, there is still something to be said for his popularity and personality in the dressing room.

Chances he returns: 80 percent

Logan Couture
Contract status: 5 years remaining, limited no-trade clause kicks in July 1
2014-15 cap hit: $6 million

Couture struggled in the playoffs going up against Anze Kopitar, but there is no player in the Sharks’ dressing room that hates losing more than the 25-year-old, who has developed into one of the league’s better all-around players. A cap-friendly five-year deal kicks in next season, and Couture may very well be the next captain of the team.

Chances he returns: 99 percent

Tomas Hertl
Contract status: 2 years remaining
2014-15 cap hit: $925k

The player that energized the fan base with his goal-scoring prowess and lovable nature is, like Logan Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, among the Sharks’ untouchables. Hertl should continue to improve next season and is one of the team’s main building blocks for the future. The ultimate plan is to make the 20-year-old a center, and if the Sharks decide to move Thornton, look for Hertl to skate in the middle.

Chances he returns: 99 percent

Tommy Wingels
Contract status: Pending restricted free agent

It was a breakthrough year for the 26-year-old, who plays the game with a reckless abandon and is the ultimate team-first guy. Wingels is a coach’s dream player, and not only did he show tremendous improvement this past season, but he’s quietly developing into one of the team’s locker room leaders.

Chances he returns: 95 percent

Tyler Kennedy
Contract status: 1 year remaining
2014-15 cap hit: $2.35 million

One of just a few newcomers last offseason, Kennedy never fit in with coach Todd McLellan’s system and did not play at all in the postseason. It’s possible Kennedy will draw some interest in the trade market this summer, and Wilson would likely listen to offers for the 27-year-old.

Chances he returns: 55 percent

Matt Nieto
Contract status: 2 years remaining
2014-15 cap hit: $759k

You have to wonder what would have happened with Nieto had Raffi Torres not gotten hurt in the preseason, opening a roster spot for the rookie. Nieto still has to bulk up, but the former second round pick showed he has the tools to be a very good if not great NHL player. His exciting career is just beginning.

Chances he returns: 95 percent

Brent Burns
Contract status: 3 years remaining, modified no-trade clause
2014-15 cap hit: $5.76 million

If the Sharks are to shake up their core, Burns could be the likeliest candidate to get moved. Although he can be a beast on some nights with his big body and quick, hard shot, wild man Burns may not fit into Todd McLellan’s structured style. Burns is streaky, too, and wasn’t able to have much of an impact in the Kings series. And, no, don’t expect San Jose to try and convert him back into a defenseman.

Chances he returns: 80 percent

Part 2 – The defensemen

Jason Demers
Contract status: Pending restricted free agent

Demers rebounded to have the best regular season of his NHL career in 2013-14 before he struggled against the Kings in the playoffs, as his style of play didn’t seem to translate against Los Angeles. Still, with Dan Boyle unlikely to return, Demers is in line to get a decent raise from his $1.5 million salary, and the Sharks will have to hope he continues to improve with no more steps backwards.

Chances he returns: 85 percent

Brad Stuart
Contract status: 1 year remaining, limited no-trade clause
2014-15 cap hit: $3.6 million

It couldn’t have been an enjoyable year for Stuart, who played hurt for most of the season before finally taking time off after the Olympic break to recover from a summer injury. In Game 7 against the Kings, he was on the ice for two key goals against, capping an unproductive season. Missing from Stuart’s game were the thundering, game-changing hits that he’s known for, but Stuart is a leader and a warrior, so expect him to return to play out the final year of his contract.

Chances he returns: 80 percent

Dan Boyle
Contract status: Pending unrestricted free agent

Boyle has earned the right to cash in with one final big payday in the NHL, and it’s unlikely to be in San Jose. The right-handed shooting defensemen could command top dollar this offseason, and although Boyle had a down year, he’s still going to draw plenty of interest from other teams that will likely offer him that multiple-year deal he’s seeking. One of the best defensemen in the history of the franchise, replacing Boyle may be one of Wilson's top offseason priorities.

Chances he returns: 20 percent

Scott Hannan
Contract status: Pending unrestricted free agent

Hannan had a decent enough year, but his age and wear showed towards the end of it and in the postseason. It’s time for the Sharks to find out if they have NHL-caliber players in Matt Tennyson and Taylor Doherty, and maybe even make way for 2013 first round pick Mirco Mueller, so it seems very unlikely the Sharks will offer Hannan another deal.

Chances he returns: 10 percent

Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Contract status: 4 years remaining, no-trade clause
2014-15 cap hit: $4.25 million

It seems that Vlasic, who was a key part of Team Canada’s unreal defense at the Olympics, has finally earned the respect across North America as one of the best blueliners in the NHL. When he went down early in Game 5 against the Kings that arguably sealed the Sharks’ fate, as the rest of the defense was unable to cope with losing the steady and responsible 27-year-old.

Chances he returns: 99 percent

Matt Irwin
Contract status: 1 year remaining
2014-15 cap hit: $1 million

Irwin was the odd man out on the blue line for most of the first round loss against Los Angeles, only getting in when Vlasic got hurt. He has a knack for getting shots through from the point, but could still improve on his overall defense and decision-making. Still, Irwin’s salary for next season is very affordable for what he brings, and it’s easy to forget 2013-14 was still just his first full season in the NHL.

Chances he returns: 85 percent

Justin Braun
Contract status: 1 year remaining
2014-15 cap hit: $1.25 million

Other than Vlasic, Braun was the Sharks’ most reliable defenseman on a nightly basis, and should be in line for a nice contract extension this summer. Braun struggled late in the series against Los Angeles with just one assist and a -5 rating over the last four games, but he may have been playing hurt after getting banged up in Game 4 at Staples Center.

Chances he returns: 95 percent