The San Jose Sharks, league leaders in the NHL, have made the first trade of the regular season, acquiring rugged player and enforcer Mike Brown from the Edmonton Oilers. They gave up a fourth-round pick in the upcoming draft.
Doug Wilson believes that Mike Browns "plays a speed game and fits the 'Fast, Hard and Supportive' mantra that our team wants to play with. He brings a tough, physical, ingredient to our lineup."
Brown has been in 72 regular-season fights in his seven years in the NHL, according to the website hockeyfights.com. He averages less than six minutes of playing time a night and is scheduled to make $725,00 in his final year of a three-year contract. This trade is also important in that Raffi Torres, who was also acquired for his toughness and speed last season, is out after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during the preseason.
Dan Boyle has been put on the injured list to allow Brown on the team. Boyle was hurt last week when he was checked from behind by Maxim Lapierre of the St. Louis Blues.
First of all, Mike Brown's fights make good video on hockeyfights.com. And second of all, the Sharks are desperate for some toughness, especially with Raffi Torres out and Andrew Desjardins not playing exactly what the Sharks wanted out of the sometimes-enforcer. I think Mike Brown fits the bill. He can play, he can score, and he can enforce when necessary. But Mike Brown's got a big hand that other players don't seem to have a match for. So, does that mean the end for Raffi Torres? I don't know yet. They might end up trading Mike Brown when he comes back, but right now, they need Brown and I'm sure he can be an asset to this team.
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