The San Jose Sharks added some speed, skill and goal-scoring ability on Friday, signing 26-year-old winger Mikkel Boedker to a four-year, $16 million deal.
“Mikkel’s tremendous speed is his best attribute and he has the ability to back off defenders with his combination of quickness and soft hands,” said Sharks GM Doug Wilson in a release. “His creativity and puck-handling abilities make him a threat in the transition game and he is a positive contributor in all three zones. We think he will thrive with our group and look forward to him joining our team.”
“I’m very familiar with Mikkel having coached him in juniors with Kitchener,” added head coach Peter DeBoer. “He has world class speed but is also a world class person and teammate.”
Boedker split last season between Arizona and Colorado. He had four goals and eight assists in 18 games for the Avs, but in the end chose not to re-sign in Denver. (The Avs also lost their other rental, Shawn Matthias, today. He signed with the Jets.)
In San Jose, Boedker could be a fit on a line with Logan Couture, who seemed to be a fan of the acquisition:
P.s well done Doug, I love it! @SanJoseSharks
— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) July 1, 2016
It’s worth noting that Patrick Marleau only has one year left on his contract. In November, he was the subject of intense trade speculation, though that was pretty much forgotten when the Sharks made a run to the Stanley Cup Final.
With Boedker signed, that speculation could pick up again.