July 10, 2010
Sharks sign Blackhaws D Hjalmarsson to offer sheet
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks signed Chicago Blackhawks restricted free agent defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson to a four-year, $14 million offer sheet on Friday, Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced.
The Blackhawks have seven days to match the offer sheet. If they choose not to match, they will receive San Jose’s first and third round selections in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Hjalmarsson spent last season a member of the Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks, where he posted 17 points (two goals, 15 assists), 20 penalty minutes and was plus-nine in 77 games.
He appeared in all 22 of Chicago’s Stanley Cup Playoff games, adding eight points (one goal, seven assists), six penalty minutes and was a plus-nine, third best on the team. He averaged 21 minutes of ice time, third-most on the team.
“We feel Niklas is a top-three defenseman in the National Hockey League,” said Wilson. “We saw his abilities first-hand in the playoffs last season and he was an important piece of a Stanley Cup-winning team. He is a solid player that would be a good fit on our team now and in the future.”
Hjalmarsson, 23, has played in 111 NHL games, notching 21 points (three goals, 18 assists), 33 penalty minutes and a plus-11 rating. In 39 Stanley Cup Playoff games, he has added nine points (one goal, EIGHT assists), 12 penalty minutes and is a plus-seven.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound native of Eksjo, Sweden was originally selected by Chicago in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft,
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