SHARKSPAGE

San Jose Sharks trade enforcer Brad Staubitz to Minnesota for 5th round draft selection

BRAD STAUBITZ REGISTERED 4G, 5A AND 186PIMS OVER 2 SEASONS IN SAN JOSE

BRAD STAUBITZ FIGHTS KRIS BARCH - PHOTO JON SWENSON

The San Jose Sharks traded 6-foot-1, 215-pound forward Brad Staubitz to the Minnesota Wild Monday afternoon for a fifth round selection (129th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. In two seasons with the Sharks, Staubitz registered 4 goals, 5 assists and 186 penalty minutes. According to his fight profile on hockeyfights.com, Staubitz earned 20 fighting majors in the NHL with a 7-4-9 record.

“Brad is a tough, physical forward who earned the respect of his teammates night-in and night-out,” San Jose Sharks GM/EVP Doug Wilson said of the bruising winger. “We want to thank him for his efforts on behalf of our organization and wish him all the best moving forward.” Staubitz was signed by the Sharks on September 19th, 2005 as a free agent.

Staubitz is a controversial figure in some circles after a brutal Mar 19th, 2009 fight with pesky Nashville Predators agitator Jordin Tootoo. Both squared off at center ice, and Staubitz rained down a series of hard lefts that battered the 200-pound Manitoba native. On many of the blows, Staubitz followed through with an elbow at the end of each punch. In a subsequent general managers meeting in Toronto, Nashville Predators GM David Poile suggested such “UFC style” tactics be banned from the NHL.

One agenda item that will be brought up Wednesday, time permitting, is the issue of NHL fighters using UFC-style tactics. The Nashville Predators were upset last season when they felt San Jose Sharks winger Brad Staubitz(notes) used his forearms to punch Jordan Tootoo in a fight. Sharks GM Doug Wilson was upset the Predators complained to the league about it.

“We brought it up with the league that we thought he was hitting him with his forearm,” Predators GM David Poile said Tuesday. “Doug doesn’t see that, but that’s what I saw on the film. I asked the league, is this something we should talk about? I haven’t heard a thing about it until now.”

It was a borderline call either way. In muaythai kickboxing and MMA elbows are thrown as much to cut than to inflict damage (search the Sharkspage youtube channel for examples). In boxing there have been several instances of a competitor starting to throw an MMA or a kickboxing strike, before correcting themselves. With the number of professional athletes participating in crosstraining with MMA and kickboxing, a firm ruling from the NHL is not an unreasonable request. Blows thrown in a hockey fight with a bare fist are much more dangerous.

Staubitz did not earn a start in the 2009-10 playoffs, and with a one-way contract he was a healthy scratch a number of times during the regular season. A one-dimensional player, he simply looked to take the heads off of opponents on a regular basis. A converted forward with above average speed, he never broadened his game enough to use some of that energy on the forecheck or in front of the opposition net. A positive attitude and regular media appearances made Staubitz a fan favorite in San Jose, even when he was not on the ice.

With the trade, the Sharks have increased the number of 2010 draft selections available to them to 5: 1st (28th), 3rd (88th), 5th via Car (127), 5th via Min (129), 5th via Ott (136). The 2010 NHL Entry Draft will be held June 25th and 26th in Los Angeles.

[Related] Sharks trade enforcer Jody Shelley to the New York Rangers for a 6th round draft pick according to TSN – Sharkspage.

[Update] According to agent Allan Walsh, Staubitz signed a 2-year contract today with Minnesota. He will play for former San Jose Sharks assistant coach and current Minnesota Wild head coach Todd Richards. Star Tribune beat writer Michael Russo quoted Minn GM Chuck Fletcher, “(Staubitz) can play a regular shift and bring some grit and energy to our team. It’s important component of successful teams. You want to have a balance. You obviously need skill, but we also feel we can upgrade our grit.” Where that leaves unsigned enforcer Derek Boogaard is an open question.