National Hockey League: Matt Greene injured, Sharks sign Jason Demers
Los Angeles Kings
The already thin LA Kings blue line just got thinner when the King’s veteran defenseman had surgery performed on his shoulder. Greene is not expected to return to the rink for 3 to 4 months until he recovers.
According to reports, Greene reported for a general examination for wear and tear but more severe complications were found. Greene was suffering from labrum, rotator-cuff injuries, bone spurs and arthritis. Spokesman Mike Kalinowski said that the injuries were sustained during the last season when the Kings made it to the playoff for the first time since 2002, in no small part due to Greene’s contributions.
Greene is purely a defensive player and contributes little to the offense. In 75 games last season, he equalled his career high of just two goals. However as far as defence is concerned, Matt is in a league of his own. He blocked an impressive 126 shots blocking at least one shot in 55 of his 75 games. He was ranked 9th in the NHL with 238 hits.
Greene is under a five-year contract with the Kings which was signed in 2008. After Sean O’Donnel was lost to the Philadelphia flyers as a free agent, the Kings depended even more heavily on Greene. Without him, the Kings look shorthanded on their defence. Although Greene won’t miss the entire season, the Kings still would be looking to find a replacement for him. Even with Greene, the King’s defence could still use improvements but without him, it’s a mess.
A possible solution for the Kings’ dilemma could be the Maple Leafs. The management at Maple Leafs has long been trying to make a trade for defenseman Tomas Kaberle but General Manager Brian Burke has been holding out. Time, however, may be running out because Kaberle’s no trade clause kicks into effect on the 16th of August. If Kaberle is to be traded, it has to be before then. There have been no offers for Kaberle which are enticing enough for Burke to make a move but the Kings could be a different story. They have plenty of cap room and are suddenly requiring a defenseman for the coming season.
Greene would recover sometime before the season ends and the Kings don’t need a long term forward. Kaberle could be the perfect one-season answer for Greene. Tomas has far more NHL experience than Greene and has the ability to score goals, unlike Greene whose focus never shifts from defence. The Kings general manager, Dean Lombardi, suddenly has a lot of work to do.
San Jose Sharks
Defenseman Jason Demers has been signed to a two-year $2.5 million extension according to an announcement by the Sharks’ General Manager, Doug Wilson.
Following the announcement, Wilson said that Jason was a perfect fit for the Sharks with his puck moving capabilities and competiveness. Wilson added that the Sharks were looking to play an “up-tempo” game in which Jason could play an important part. Last season with the Sharks, Jason scored 4 goals and made 17 assists for a 21 point debut NHL season. He ranked fourth among the Sharks defensemen in terms of goals scored. He was moved between the Sharks’ American Hockey League affiliates Worcester Sharks where he again scored 4 goals but in half as many games.
Jason has his shortcomings as does every other player but he is inexperienced and as he gets more ice time, he would develop into a dependable defenseman. Jason has been shining during power plays for the Sharks. The statistics for last season showed that San Jose’s power plays were more effective and led to most goals when Jason was on the ice. During the power plays, Jason has been the leading scorer amongst the Sharks’ defensemen.
The Sharks have a tendency to favour short term contracts. Jason’s two-year contract with the Sharks shows faith in the defenseman’s abilities. Now it’s Jason’s turn to prove that he deserved it.
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