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Brad Stuart to Join the San Jose Sharks?

March 20, 2012 2:13 pm comments

The slumping San Jose Sharks may be about to receive a rather large boost to their defence corps, but not until the end of the season, of course.

According to David Pollak, current Detroit Red Wings defenceman Brad Stuart could wind up in San Jose as early as the 2012-2013 season. From Pollak:

Brad Stuart let it be known several weeks ago that it was very unlikely he’d be back in Detroit next season after his contract expires. That’s because his wife and their three children have stayed in their Los Gatos home the last three seasons and that’s too much distance.

Pollak continued:

Obviously the Sharks — where he started his career — would be the perfect landing spot at age 32. Is Stuart limiting his options to California? That could set up an interesting bidding war between Doug Wilson, who traded Stuart to Boston as part of the Joe Thornton deal, and Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi, who drafted Stuart.

The report also included a quote from Stuart himself, in which he infers that he feels the need to be closer to home.

“It’s always going to be important,” he said of the need to play closer to the Bay Area. “It’s obviously something we’ve discussed, not just recently but for the last few years.”

Stuart has played for the Red Wings for much of the last five seasons. In 867 career regular season games spent with the Red Wings, Sharks, Kings, Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins, Stuart has 73 goals and 303 points.