Sharks Acquire Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich

[Thrillhouse]

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the team has acquired defensemen Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defensemen Matt Carle and Ty Wishart, a first round selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and a fourth round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Boyle, who will turn 32 on July 12, posted 25 points (4-21=25) in just 37 games while accumulating 57 penalty minutes. He missed 36 games due to wrist surgery after having a skate slice his wrist in the preseason. He returned to the lineup with a two-goal performance on Jan. 24 vs. Ottawa.

“Dan is one of the elite offensive-minded defensemen in the League today,” said Wilson. “Being able to acquire an elite player in his prime that has won a Stanley Cup will help this organization get to where we want to go.”

Boyle was named to the NHL’s Second All-Star Team in 2006-07 when he finished fourth amongst all League defensemen in points (20-43=63) and was second in goals.

In 523 career games over eight NHL seasons with Tampa Bay and Florida, he has posted 292 points (76-216=292), 34 power play goals and 338 penalty minutes. He helped Tampa Bay to a Stanley Cup in 2003-04 and in 45 career playoff games, all with Tampa Bay, he has 22 points (3-19=22) and a +6 plus/minus rating.

On Feb. 9, 2008, he was inducted into the University of Miami (OH) Hall of Fame, where he spent his four-year collegiate career. In his time there, he posted 147 points (40-107=147) in 148 games and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist during his senior year of 1997-98.

Boyle was originally signed by Florida as a free agent on March 30, 1998. He was acquired by Tampa Bay on Jan. 7, 2002 for a fifth-round selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In addition, he has represented Canada at the 2005 World Championships and the 2006 Olympics.

Lukowich, 31, totaled seven points (1-6=7) in 59 games for Tampa Bay last season. He led the team with 153 hits and his 108 blocked shots were third.

In 582 career games, he has posted 103 points (22-81=103), 353 penalty minutes and has a +33 plus/minus. The ten-year veteran has spent time in Dallas, Tampa Bay, the New York Islanders and New Jersey.

Lukowich has won two Stanley Cups in his career, the first coming with Dallas in 1999 and the second with Tampa Bay in 2004. In seven postseason stints, he has six points (1-5=6) in 65 games with 22 penalty minutes.

“Brad is a tough competitor that isn’t afraid to give up his body for the sake of the team,” said Wilson. “He has won two Stanley Cups and he knows that everyone on a team needs to play a role in order to achieve the ultimate success.”

The six-foot-one, 200-pound native of Cranbrook, British Columbia was originally selected by the New York Islanders in the fourth round (90th overall) of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

Carle, 23, posted 15 points (2-13=15) in 62 regular season games this season. He was originally selected by San Jose in the second round (47th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In 151 NHL games with San Jose, Carle posted 63 points (16-47=63), including being named to the 2007 NHL All-Rookie Team. He appeared in 33 playoff games with the Sharks, posting 9 points (2-7=9) and a +4 plus/minus rating.

“We really feel that Matt will have tremendous success in this League,” said Wilson. “But you have to give to get and we felt that this move will ultimately help us get to where we want to get.”

Wishart, 20, split the season between Prince George and Moose Jaw of the Western Hockey League and led all defensemen with 67 points (16-51=67). In four seasons at the WHL level, Wishart registered 161 points (33-128=161) in 262 games played. Wishart was originally selected by San Jose in the first round (16th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

“We wish Ty the best in his development,” said Wilson. “We feel he has a bright future ahead of him and wish him the best.”

[Blouin]

Tampa cleaning house and getting picks for the future

[Humpzilla]

This is all kinds of f'n stupid.

[Thrillhouse]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

This is all kinds of f'n stupid.

You guys don't need any defencemen!

They better throw some decent money at Jason Smith. There's a guy they need badly looking at Tampa's available defencemen.

[BGDDYKWL]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

This is all kinds of f'n stupid.

Yeah. I've been impressed for the most part with what they've done thus far, but to get rid of your best dman when you're already weak in that area doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I realize they have to worry about the cap but you would think they'd try to keep Boyle (considering their aren't a whole lot of alternatives) rather than have 27 forwards under contract.

[Humpzilla]

Originally Posted by Thrillhouse

You guys don't need any defencemen!

They better throw some decent money at Jason Smith. There's a guy they need badly looking at Tampa's available defencemen.

It makes no sense to trade both Lukowich AND Boyle. This is, unless they're planning a pretty decent size trade, as they picked up San Jose's first round pick. But other than that, they're defense is pretty much young, inexperienced crap. With the exception of Kuba and Shane O'Brien, we're pretty much dead on the D-Core front. But then again, we did sign Kolzig. I suppose this was the Lightning's plan all along....

[detroit4life]

Dammit. I didn't even know Tampa was shopping Lukowich. He would have been a perfect fit as Detroit's 5th Dman to help out Lilja. Damn. I really like way Luke plays. Now SJ has a pretty scary defence. Those f*ckers.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

Blake,Boyle and Lukowich will have Sharks fans asking....Brian Campbell?...who's he?

[Thrillhouse]

Tampa is also getting Ty Wishart...San Jose's top d-man prospect. San Jose gave up a lot.

[MattBurger]

Matt Carle isn't a bad player either. It's not like Tampa Bay got crap in return. Plus, I'm sure there's another deal brewing for the Lightning where they'll receive some defensive help. The definitely have the chips to make such a deal.

[Grittzkey]

Cleared some capspace.
Got 2 young d-men
and 2 draft picks..

[jkidd]

Pretty stupid ass move, IMO. Tampa has done enough this offseason to the point where they're probably back into contention, and then you package up and cast away your best defenseman and one of the club leaders? For picks nonetheless? Doesn't make a lick of sense to me... at all.

Sharks are looking pretty good after this trade. Like what they have going on in the Shark Tank.

[Ciccarelli]

Blake, Murray and McLaren on one team, we could see some nice hip-checks in SJ next season. Now they add Boyle and Lukovich. They look pretty good on defense. Boyle,Vlasic, Lukowich, McLaren, Blake, Murray.

[FightingIsGood]

Originally Posted by Ciccarelli

Blake, Murray and McLaren on one team, we could see some nice hip-checks in SJ next season. Now they add Boyle and Lukovich. They look pretty good on defense. Boyle,Vlasic, Lukowich, McLaren, Blake, Murray.

They have Craig Rivet as well.

Looks like there will be a LOT of 6-5 hockey games in Tampa this year. I don't see them being much above .500 with that defense and goaltending. I guess this also means that Oren Krules was being less than truthful when he said a few days ago that he was counting on Boyle to play 25 minutes a night. Yeah he is...for the Sharks.

[Podollan]

They also have Ehrhoff who is not that bad.