Sharks Re-Sign Nichol, Wallin, Desjardins

The San Jose Sharks announced today that they have signed centers Scott Nichol and Andrew Desjardins and defenseman Niclas Wallin to one-year contract extensions. Financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. Nichol and Wallin would have been unrestricted free agents on July 1, while Desjardins would have been a restricted free agent. In 79 games last season with the Sharks, Nichol had four goals and 15 assists for 19 points. Wallin split time last season with the Carolina Hurricanes and San Jose Sharks, scoring seven assists in 70 games. He won the Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006. Desjardins played in 80 games with Worcester of the AHL, scoring 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points. These aren't bad signings for the Sharks, as they bring plenty of depth to the team. Nichol is a very competitive player who plays with lots of grit and toughness, while Wallin brings plenty of defensive depth and physical play to the team's blueline. Desjardins is really just a minor league depth signing for the Sharks. He plays with lots of toughness and does have some offensive upside, but given the depth on offense for San Jose next season, he will likely spend most, if not all, of next season in the minors.

Sharks Acquire Defenseman Wallin from Hurricanes

The San Jose Sharks announced today that they have acquired defenseman Niclas Wallin and a fifth round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a second round pick in 2010 that originally belonged to the Buffalo Sabres. The Sharks originally acquired Buffalo's second round pick during the summer of 2008 when they traded defenseman Craig Rivet to the Sabres. In 47 games with the Hurricanes this season, Wallin has five assists. In 517 career NHL games, all with the Hurricanes, he has 18 goals and 51 assists for 69 points. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Not a bad depth move for the Sharks on defense, as Marc-Edouard Vlasic is currently sidelined with a lower body injury. Wallin brings defensive depth and a physical presence to the team's third defensive pairing, as well as a wealth of playoff experience. He helped the Hurricanes reach the Stanley Cup finals in 2002 and 2006, while winning the Stanley Cup in 2006. Only time will tell, though, if Wallin's experience can help the Sharks advance deep in the playoffs, as they haven't had much success in getting past the semifinals.