by Joe Lami

SAN JOSE–Talking about the San Jose Sharks recent signings first 25 year old defenseman Mark Cundari who played with Calgary’s AHL minor league affiliate Adirondack the Sharks not expecting a lot from him because he’s an AHL type of guy. Doesn’t look like he’s going to be a NHL type of player but defense is what the Sharks went out and got and that’s what they need. Cundari had 29 points, seven goals, 22 assists last season in Adirondack.

29 year old Michael Healy was signed to a one year deal he scored 31 points with 18 assists and 13 goals last season, Healy has 56 career games in the NHL he played for San Jose a little bit, he’s a bigger guy definitely a grittier player. Healy is getting older he’s going to be 30 within this next contract for the one year deal. It’s looking like he’s not going to make the NHL and not be a true NHLer.

The Sharks signed 23 year old Patrick McNally to a two year deal 21 points with six goals with 15 assists. McNally is a player that the Sharks are expecting a lot from down the road definitely when you look at the ECAC that collegiate conference is absolutely outstanding when you got a guy who played defense for Harvard.

The Sharks acquired McNally in a trade in the draft for a seventh round pick the fact is they looked at McNally and clearly Sharks general manager Doug Wilson wants to do something with him. Now that he’s out of Harvard McNally will come into camp and probably not make the big club and go to the Sharks AHL affiliate Barracuda and eventually McNally could be a very good defenseman for the Sharks.

With San Jose assistant coach Wayne Thomas retiring the Sharks have hired Bob Boughner and Johan Hedberg. I’m really kind of sad to see Thomas go I had a personal working relationship working directly with him at the San Francisco Bulls. He was great to have around, a hilarious guy whose going to be missed in the organization.

Thomas was helping goaltenders and helping young guys out. He was viewed as being a goalie coach without being the goalie coach or as an assistant GM. It’s going to be sad to see Thomas go but he now gets time to spend with his family and with the assistant coaches head coach Peter Deboer is trying to make his moves and fill out his assistant coaching roles.

Joe Lami does NHL commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com listen to his podcast below